At Toepfer at Law, we focus on the most important issue in child custody cases: the well being of our clients’ children. Custody battles can be particularly tricky situations, rife with emotion, tension, and anxiety. Parents often forget that custody and parenting time conflicts should focus on the children’s needs rather than the parents’ desires. Some parties to a divorce or custody battle will, unfortunately, use children as negotiation chips. Neither the parents nor the children win when this happens.
Mr. Toepfer knows your child’s needs are the most important, both to a judge and to you. He will keep the focus on your children, and will never use them—or allow them to be used—as means of winning a negotiation.
Understandably, one big concern for most parents during a custody battle is money. Whether it is the cost of raising the child or the cost of child support payments, any custody discussion will necessarily involve financial concerns. More important than these monetary concerns, however, are the needs of the children involved.
Should a custody battle make it to a courtroom, the outcome of the case will hinge on the judge’s decision about one thing only: the best interest of the child. This somewhat vague phrase was intentionally chosen by the Minnesota legislature to give judges a great deal of discretion in child custody matters. While state statutes do list some factors which judges must consider in this decision, ultimately the decision is fully within the judge’s discretion and ability to justify his own choices.
Mr. Toepfer knows that a strong relationship with you is in your child’s best interests. He will strive to help the court understand this when crafting arguments in support of the parenting time schedule you and your child need.
Focusing on the best interests of the child does not mean that a prior custody decision can’t be changed, or that the lower income earner cannot obtain primary custody of the children. By building your case around what is best for your child, we show the judge that your focus is on your children and not your wallet or petty revenge against the other parent.
Of course, much like any other civil disagreement, the case does not necessarily have to proceed to a judge. At Toepfer at Law, we attempt to, and in fact prefer to, negotiate with the other party to arrive at an agreed upon parenting schedule that works for both parties. Among other benefits, the opposing party is more likely to keep to a parenting schedule that they had a hand in creating as opposed to one set by a judge.
At Toepfer at Law, we understand that, as a dedicated parent, you want what is best for your child and their future. We work with you to clearly evaluate your child’s needs, and to assess what you and your child’s other parent brings to the table in order to meet those needs. Often, what your child needs, and what you want in terms of custody, will be the same.
Alternately, you may decide it’s best to sacrifice some time with your child to ensure that they are able to have a relationship with their other parent. We will support you in doing whatever is best for your child, and work to make sure that they are able to have the time with you that both of you need to foster a strong, enduring relationship.
St. Cloud Family Law Attorney
Toepfer at Law is committed to helping families through the process of legal transitions. We work with clients experiencing divorce, separation, child support or spousal maintenance issues, custody disputes, and more.