Skilled Guidance For Child Support Issues
When parents go their separate ways, establishing child support is often a primary concern. Who will pay? How will the child support amount be determined? At such a stressful and emotionally challenging time, it is important to obtain legal advice from a knowledgeable attorney to ensure that your rights are protected. Practical and detail-oriented, the Law Office of Barbara J. Gislason understands the legal and personal aspects of your situation. She has more than 30 years of family law experience, training as a qualified neutral, and a background in psychology.
Understanding Minnesota Child Support Laws
Barbara is dedicated to achieving fair outcomes for her clients involved in child support proceedings in Minnesota. She will explain how the law applies to your specific situation and negotiate on your behalf. Minnesota child support laws state that both parents should financially support their children, if possible, until they graduate from high school or reach the age of 18, or age 20 if still in secondary school.
As a former technical writer and author of many publications, Barbara’s exceptional drafting skills have been honed over the years, which greatly benefits her clients as she drafts well-constructed child support agreements.
The amount of support paid by one parent to the other may depend on a variety of factors, including:
- Each parent’s gross income
- How many children live with each parent
- Any other child support the parents are ordered to pay
- Spousal maintenance orders for either parent
- The cost of the child’s medical coverage
- The cost of childcare
- Parenting time awarded to each parent
If you want to get an idea about how much money you might receive or owe, you might want to check out the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines Calculator before your meeting with Barbara.
Working with a knowledgeable lawyer is often the most effective way to truly understand how the laws will apply to your unique situation. Barbara also represents clients seeking to modify or enforce existing child support orders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support In Minnesota
Whether you are navigating your divorce case or in the process of modifying your child support order in Minnesota, Barbara can provide you with caring guidance and representation every step of the way. Here are three common questions she regularly addresses for her clients.
Does parenting time affect the amount of child support I pay or receive?
Yes, it can. Minnesota courts use the Parenting Expense Adjustment (PEA) formula to adjust child support costs based on the “number of overnights” each parent has with their children. For instance, if you are the primary custodial parent, your home will generally become the primary residence for your children. Because of this, the courts recognize that the noncustodial parent’s court-ordered parenting time expenses will be higher, as they include basic costs for food, clothing, housing and transportation.
Under the 2025 adjustment, a parent needs at least 40% court-ordered parenting time to get a substantial reduction in their child support obligation. This change reflects modern co-parenting arrangements and the children’s needs to be cared for in both homes.
Are extracurricular activities, sports fees and college costs included in child support?
No, they are not. Under Minn. Stat. § 518A.26, “basic support” obligations include costs for your children’s basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, education and transportation. Other expenses like piano lessons, sports fees and college tuition would need a separate agreement between you and your ex-spouse. You can discuss and negotiate these concerns during your divorce mediation session if you amicably agree to share the costs.
Who pays for the child’s health insurance in Minnesota child support cases?
It is mandatory for child support orders in Minnesota to include healthcare coverage for the children. This includes providing them with health insurance premiums and covering costs for unreimbursed and uninsured medical expenses. Since each family’s case is unique, the courts determine which parent will pay for them.
A Compassionate Ally For Legal Issues Involving Children
To benefit from a highly skilled Anoka County child support attorney, call the Law Office of Barbara J. Gislason today at 763-220-2983 or email the firm to arrange an initial consultation.