In Minnesota, parenting time, or visitation, is what really dictates your child’s schedule—where they spend their time and when they are with each parent. Physical custody does not dictate this schedule. Parenting time is based upon the best interests of the child.

In setting a parenting time, the courts (and mediators) will look at what is developmentally appropriate for the child based upon age, experience, and other factors, such as the history of parenting involvement and geographical location of the parents. Feel free to refer to the “Child-Focused Parenting Guide” that the court issued to help with establishing parenting time,

There is no set amount of parenting time that each parent receives. However, Minnesota statute section 518.175 governs parenting time and sets a rebuttable presumption that a parent is entitled to a minimum of 25% of parenting time, typically calculated by overnights with the child. This would equate to at least 4 overnights in a 14-day period (as 3 would be less than 25%). There are a number of parenting time arrangements that are regularly suggested by mediators or ordered by courts: 5-2-2-5; 3-2-2-3; week on/week off; every other weekend + 2 overnights. We can help you understand the lingo and assess potential options based upon your unique situation.

Because parenting time affects child support calculations, this can cause people to push for a more equal parenting time schedule even when it may not be in the best interests of the child. We can help you tease apart these issues and strategize how best to move forward with a parenting time action or modification.