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The ?best interests of the child" are the primary concern. South Dakota law encourages joint custody between parents. Courts determining custody arrangements are also able to modify or vacate their decisions at any time, allowing for continued supervision of a child and their parents.

South Dakota child custody laws don't prescribe a certain age when a child's preference may be considered. Judges have broad discretion when deciding how much weight to give the child's preference. In some South Dakota custody cases, judges have considered the well-reasoned preferences of children as young as 10.

(a) A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the child, is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse.

What are the basic steps in filing a lawsuit? File the Summons and Complaint. The person starting the case is called the Petitioner or Plaintiff. ... File the Answer. The person being sued is either called the Defendant or the Respondent. ... Prepare the case. ... The judge holds a hearing. ... The judge makes a decision.

A support order may be modified without showing any change in circumstances if the order was entered and in effect prior to July 1, 2022. An order entered and in effect after July 1, 2022 may be modified only: If it was entered three years or more from the date the petition is filed; or.

In South Dakota, the standard parenting guidelines will set out the custody arrangement to be followed by the parents. You can object to the standard guidelines and the judge will order a hearing within thirty days.