To: The Minnesota State House, The Minnesota State Senate, and Governor Tim Walz
Equal Rights/Responsibilities For Joint Custody Parents
The State of Minnesota allows for the existence of Joint Physical and legal custodial status for joint parents, consequently, they must also adapt their policies in all family related government services to accommodate this custodial status. The failure to create policy in family services specifically addressing joint physical and legal custody, can result in an overwhelming financial burden to be placed upon one parent, while utterly protecting the other parent from any financial responsibilities to provide income to the children. Legislation must be prepared to specifically address how joint custody cases are processed in terms of ALL family related services provided by the government. We call for equal rights and responsibilities for joint custody parents.
Why is this important?
The services offered to families by the government (assistance programs, child support programs, daycare & medical assistance, etc.) must have policy adjustments to accommodate parents that choose to share equal physical and legal custody. I have joint physical & legal custody of my three children, their mother has been receiving full cash, food, daycare, and medical assistance for six years (receiving full grants as though she's a soul custody parent). I am unable to receive assistance of any kind, and the county is allowed to seek child support from me. As a result, not only do I have the expense of providing a home and daily needs of the children, but the state takes $650/month from my children and I to pay for her welfare. For 6 years my children and I have paid for the living expenses of their mother who refuses to work. I am unable to cover the expenses of basic needs (mortgage, utilities, clothing, food, etc.). My credit has been destroyed, as well as my children's and my quality of life.