Custody evaluations, guardians ad litem, early neutral evaluators, parenting consultants and parenting time expeditors. They are all objective and impartial. Here are the distinctions: Custody evaluators are appointed by the court or contracted with privately by the parties. The evaluator will meet with the parents, meet with or observe the child (depending on how old… Read more »
One important change in Minnesota law in recent years pertains to changing the state of residence of minor children. Previously, Minnesota was one of a minority of U.S. states to allow a custodial parent to move with a child to another state unless the non-moving parent proved that the move was contrary to the child's… Read more »
When divorced or separated parents need to make a decision about where their child or children will attend school in the fall, it can turn into a legal dispute. Regardless of the custodial arrangement that the children live by, it is preferable if the parents can be in agreement about school enrollment. If the parents… Read more »
Yes, over the holidays I spotted the last scene of the movie Home Alone while switching channels. Who didn’t? So, how old should a child be to be left home alone? One of the most common questions, especially when children are in the care of a single (and busy) parent. A few years ago, I… Read more »
If divorcing or separating parents disagree about child custody or parenting arrangements, it is likely necessary for a neutral professional to be involved in resolving the dispute. The most common neutral professionals are custody evaluators, guardians ad litem, parenting time expeditors, custody mediators and parenting consultants. Custody evaluators investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the… Read more »
If I had to name the question that comes up most often, it would be this one: how old does a child of divorced, separated or unmarried parents have to be to decide which parent the child wants to live with? In typical manner, the answer is not a simple one. There is no fixed… Read more »