2005 Minnesota Statutes - 518.166 — Interviews.

     518.166 Interviews. 


    The court may interview the child in chambers to ascertain 
 the child's reasonable preference as to custodian, if the court 
 deems the child to be of sufficient age to express preference.  
 The court shall permit counsel to be present at the interview 
 and shall permit counsel to propound reasonable questions to the 
 child either directly or through the court.  The court shall 
 cause a record of the interview to be made and to be made part 
 of the record in the case unless waived by the parties. 


    In contested custody proceedings, and in other custody 
 proceedings if a parent or the child's custodian requests, the 
 court may seek the recommendations of professional personnel 
 whether or not they are employed on a regular basis by the 
 court.  The recommendations given shall be in writing and shall 
 be made available by the court to counsel upon request.  Counsel 
 may call for cross-examination of professional personnel 
 consulted by the court.  


    HIST: 1978 c 772 s 36; 1979 c 259 s 16; 1986 c 444