Minnesota parents generally want what is best for their children. This does not change just because of a divorce. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for one parent to confuse a child’s best interests with his or her own. Parents who engage in this behavior create tension where there should be none, making it much more difficult to address child custody.
Although shared custody is rapidly becoming more and more common, it is also causing more and more conflict. That conflict often involves accusations involving things like mental health and substance abuse. Of course, these are genuine concerns for some people, but some parents seem to be weaponizing these issues to position themselves more favorably.
One out-of-state attorney reported that in 2019, he was involved in more custody disagreements involving mental health disputes than in all five years before that. The CEO for a nonprofit specializing in post-divorce family transitions also said that she has seen a drastic increase in high-conflict transitions. These disputes almost always focus primarily on the parents, leaving out children’s mental health and well-being.
Going through a divorce can be a scary experience, especially for parents. Moms and dads alike do not want to lose quality time with their children. While these feelings are understandable, they are not what parents should focus on during divorce. The goal of any child custody agreement should always be to uphold and protect a child’s best interests. Minnesota parents who are locked in custody battles over these types of issues might find it helpful to speak with a knowledgeable attorney about their options for moving forward.
