Child custody: when can the childs preference be considered?
The central concept to custody decisions in Minnesota is the “best interests of the child.” The factors to be considered are laid out in Minnesota Statute 518.17. This statute can be found online at https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=518.17. When a childs preference can be taken into account will depend on many factors. A good explanation, with footnotes to cases, can be found in the Minnesota Family Law Practice Manual 5.17 Subsection E. This book is available in the Law Library and in county law libraries around the state. For a directory of county law libraries, see .http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/cllppubdir.rtf. [Return to Top of Page] • Child Support and Custody: Where can I get information or help? Minnesota Statutes are available online at: https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/pubs/. They are searchable by keyword and through the index. Chapter 518A deals with child support in general: https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=518a. Child Custody is also a
