Child custody and support in Minnesota
The Minnesota rules for parents who divorce, from official sources: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator and the child support agency.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026
Quick answer
In Minnesota, custody is called “legal and physical custody and parenting time”. Parenting class: Yes, if parents haven't agreed on custody or a parenting time schedule: the court must order at least 8 hours of parent education (in person or online); otherwise the court may order it (Minn. Stat. 518.157). Minnesota publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.
- Custody term
- Legal and physical custody and parenting time
- Parenting class
- Required (with conditions)
- Child support calculator
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency
- Minnesota Child Support Division (DCYF)
Custody terms in Minnesota
Legal and physical custody and parenting time
Parenting class in Minnesota
Yes, if parents haven't agreed on custody or a parenting time schedule: the court must order at least 8 hours of parent education (in person or online); otherwise the court may order it (Minn. Stat. 518.157).
Child support in Minnesota
Child support follows Minnesota's guidelines. Estimate it with the official calculator, and contact the state's child support agency for help setting up or collecting it.
Children in a Minnesota divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use Minnesota's term for custody: legal and physical custody and parenting time.
Parenting class
Take the parenting class described above if Minnesota requires it in your case.
Child support
Estimate it first: the official calculator
The child support agency
For help setting up or collecting support, contact the state's child support agency.
Questions about custody and child support in Minnesota
What is child custody called in Minnesota?
Minnesota uses the term “legal and physical custody and parenting time”.
Do parents have to take a class in a Minnesota divorce?
Yes, if parents haven't agreed on custody or a parenting time schedule: the court must order at least 8 hours of parent education (in person or online); otherwise the court may order it (Minn. Stat. 518.157).
Is there an official child support calculator for Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota's official calculator or guidelines: the official calculator
Which agency handles child support in Minnesota?
More about divorce in Minnesota
- All Minnesota divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Minnesota
- Minnesota divorce forms and filing fees
- Alimony in Minnesota
- Serving divorce papers in Minnesota
- Divorce timeline estimator for Minnesota
- Divorce checklist for Minnesota
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do