Burnsville Child Custody Lawyer

Get Dedicated Legal Representation from Burns Law Office, Serving Minneapolis & Surrounding Areas

Navigating a separation is challenging, especially when children are involved. Creating a child custody and visitation plan serves your family effectively, and our dedicated legal team supports you throughout every part of the process.

At Burns Law Office, our Burnsville and Minneapolis child custody attorneys help families reach fair child custody arrangements and visitation schedules. We prioritize your concerns and advocate for your parental rights. At our firm, you are valued beyond your case number.

Need help with child custody or visitation during your divorce? Contact our child visitation lawyers at (952) 260-6376 today for support.

Our Child Custody Attorney Puts Your Child’s Best Interests First as a Core Priority

The court focuses on your child's well-being in every custody case. If parents cannot agree on a custody plan, the court decides physical and legal custody. Physical custody addresses where the child lives and the time spent with each parent. Legal custody addresses major decisions about the child's upbringing.

Court decisions in Dakota County and throughout Minnesota follow the “best interests of the child” standard, evaluating each family's unique circumstances. State law generally favors solutions that provide stability and continued involvement from both parents when appropriate. By seeing how the court approaches these cases, families gain clarity on what to expect and how to make choices that support their children's future.

Factors the courts weigh when deciding custody include:

• Parental preferences
• Children's choices, if mature enough
• The quality of parent-child relationships
• Children's involvement in school and community
• Children's special needs, whether educational, medical, or other
• Parents' ability to meet the child's various needs
• Incidence of domestic violence

Stability matters in every child's life. Courts also look at the parents' ability to work together, manage disputes, and cooperate as co-parents.

Burnsville families may need to take extra steps, such as working with neutral third-party evaluators or joining local parenting classes. In Dakota County, court-appointed custody evaluators talk with parents, teachers, and other involved adults. The process often involves home visits or interviews, especially when parents cannot agree. Our guidance through these steps helps clarify what to expect and what can impact the court’s final decision.

During a divorce, your children's welfare is paramount. Our seasoned Burnsville and Minneapolis child custody attorneys guide you to a custody and visitation agreement that protects your child's best interests and your parental rights.

We Are Experienced Mediators

Custody disagreements happen. When parents hold different views about their child's best interests, our attorneys offer mediation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. If ADR does not lead to a resolution and a trial becomes necessary, you want a determined advocate on your side. Our visitation attorneys at Burns Law Office stand ready for trial and will represent you and your family with determination.

Many families in Burnsville try mediation first to keep privacy and build positive relationships for their children. In Dakota County, local courts often encourage parents to attempt ADR before bringing the case to trial. Mediation uses a more collaborative approach that can result in creative parenting schedules or flexible solutions tailored to the family’s needs. This option may lower stress and save time for both parents and children by keeping decisions in the hands of the family rather than the court.

How Custody Modification & Enforcement Work in Burnsville

As family circumstances change, custody arrangements sometimes need to adapt. Minnesota law allows custody modifications when a significant change affects the child's welfare. Situations such as a job move, relocation, or shifts in a child's needs may justify these requests. Courts serving Burnsville and Dakota County require solid documentation to consider a modification. Parents should keep thorough records of important events and communications related to the change requested.

Enforcing a custody order involves formal steps if a parent does not follow the court's plan. Parents may need to file requests with the Dakota County courthouse to resolve missed visits or disputes over pick-up and drop-off. The court can order changes from scheduling adjustments to supervised visits, always focusing on the child's well-being. Our team supports families at each stage, providing responsive guidance and practical solutions all the way through the process.

What to Expect in the Burnsville Family Court Process

Families in Burnsville usually start custody matters at the Dakota County Courthouse by attending a required parenting education program, helping parents focus on their children’s needs throughout the process. The court organizes conferences and hearings to address early issues and might appoint professionals, such as custody evaluators or guardians ad litem, to gather information and make recommendations. At each step, parents get clear timelines and instructions specific to the area, which reduces uncertainty.

Each custody case proceeds under Minnesota law, but Dakota County courts may set requirements that affect timing or procedures. For example, some cases require pre-trial parenting sessions while others proceed directly to evaluation or mediation. Knowing how the process works locally allows you to prepare fully and put your child's needs first. Our Burnsville child custody attorney can guide you through these steps, helping you understand the court’s expectations and focus on your child’s best interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the court determine which parent gets custody?

The court bases custody decisions on the best interests of the child. This standard covers each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s adjustment to their home and school, and each parent’s ability to meet their child’s needs. No single factor controls the result.

Can a child custody order be changed after it is in place?

Yes, either parent can request a change if a significant event occurs, such as a new job, a move, or a change in the child’s needs. The court will review the evidence to decide if modifying the order supports the child’s best interests.

Are both parents required to attend parenting classes during custody proceedings?

In Dakota County, parents involved in custody or divorce cases must attend a parenting education program designed to help children adjust and to encourage effective co-parenting. The court shares details and requirements at the start of the case.

Ready to discuss your case with our child custody lawyers? Call (952) 260-6376 or schedule a free consultation online today.