Caring Advocates For You And Your Child’s Legal Issues

Parents who share a child face countless challenges, regardless of whether they are married. Whether you have divorced your former partner or you never married, the numerous legal issues that might affect your child can easily feel overwhelming.

At VanDerHeyden Law Office, P.A., our team of family law attorneys understands what you are going through. Since 1980, the attorneys at our law firm have assisted mothers and fathers with a variety of legal matters related to parenting. You can turn to us for counsel regarding child custody, child support, paternity and any other family law concerns for which you need a lawyer.

What Are Minnesota’s Child Custody And Support Guidelines?

If a child’s parents cannot reach an agreement privately regarding custody and parenting time, the court will issue a decision based on criteria such as:

• The parents’ relationships with the child
• Each parent’s ability to raise the child
• The parents’ willingness to cooperate
• The location of the parents’ homes
• The child’s involvement in school, church or other community activities

The state of Minnesota has a formula that it uses to calculate a rough estimate of child support. The final decision is up to the court, which considers several factors:

• Each parent’s income
• Whether a parent has primary, joint or sole custody
• The cost of the child’s medical and dental care
• The cost of child care
• Other child support orders

Every family’s situation is unique. We can give you a better idea of what to expect when you sit down with us for a consultation.

Why Does Paternity Matter?

The state does not need to determine a child’s mother. However, it does need to determine the identity of a child’s father. This is called paternity. Paternity can be determined by signing the child’s birth certificate, a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity or a DNA test. You must determine paternity before you can receive child support or enforce your custodial rights.

Learn More About How We Can Help

These are just a few of the many issues that you might face as a parent. To learn more about what we can do for you, reach out to our team in Rochester. Call 866-586-7905 or send us an email to schedule your initial consultation.