An Experienced West Metro Child Custody And Visitation Attorney

Legal matters that directly involve your children and family are inherently stressful. Child custody issues and the “what-if” possibilities of the various outcomes naturally invoke anxiety. I understand this. My name is William A. Winter, and I am the founding attorney of Winter Law, LLC. I have dedicated my firm and my law practice to helping families in Minnesota with their legal matters. For the past 30 years, I have helped clients navigate all types of child custody and visitation issues.

You will find that I am calm, confident and committed to helping you through what I know can be an overwhelming process. I believe in providing my clients with thorough and consistent communication to make sure they understand the process and that all of their questions in this stressful time of transition get answered.

Determining Child Custody In Minnesota

In the state of Minnesota, child custody issues are analyzed by considering what is in the best interests of the child. It is generally presumed that it is in the best interest of a child to have contact with both parents unless the evidence proves otherwise. This means that the court will evaluate various factors to ensure that whatever the custody arrangement is determined in your case, it supports your child’s overall well-being and development.

Visitation: Determining Parenting Time Schedules In Minnesota

Parenting time, formerly known as visitation, is another crucial consideration in any child custody case. Both parents have the right to have access to their child. Barring issues of abuse, any child custody matter will generally assess and evaluate a plan that provides each parent with access to their child.

Parents often spend time in mediation discussing and negotiating a parenting time schedule that is both in the best interests of their children and one that they are capable of following. When a couple comes up with a parenting time schedule together, they are more likely to follow it. When my own clients are navigating mediation, I am there to offer support and provide guidance and advice.

I also facilitate mediation for other couples as a trained mediator and a qualified neutral under Minnesota Rule 114. I help couples resolve parenting time issues in mediation by encouraging them to work together and facilitating resolutions to their conflicts.

Factors That Are Considered To Determine A Child’s Best Interests

In matters involving a child, the court has a lot of discretion to consider what is in the child’s best interests. Here are some factors that a court will consider in deciding child custody and parenting time issues:

• Each parent’s mental health and stability
• Each parent’s relationship with the child and their respective involvement in the child’s life
• Each parent’s financial ability to support the child
• Each parent’s willingness to encourage a relationship with the other parent
• Any instances of a parent’s attempt to alienate the other parent
• If the child is old enough to express a preference, the child’s preferences

Going through child custody issues as part of the divorce process or in connection with a paternity matter is stressful. But in my many years of experience, I have the ability to remain calm and advocate for your parental rights and the best interests of your child.

Modifications Of Family Court Orders In Minnesota

As a couple moves on from a divorce, it is natural for their lives to grow and evolve. There may very well be situations where a party has to go back to the court to ask for a modification of their divorce decree, often to seek a change in child custody or visitation and parenting time. Perhaps a parent wants to move out of state. There might be other significant changes in a party’s financial circumstances. Whatever the scenario, I have the experience to help you assess if you need a modification and to seek one if necessary.

Schedule A Consultation With A West Metro Child Custody Attorney

I am available for initial consultation appointments. To schedule a no-obligation consultation with a child custody lawyer, call my office at 612-238-5086 or by filling out my online contact form. I look forward to answering your questions and telling you more about how I can help guide you through your child custody and visitation issues.