Section 25-4A-11 - Plaintiff in custody action to file and serve guidelines--Guidelines as court order--Custody of minors. - South Dakota Statutes

25-4A-11. Plaintiff in custody action to file and serve guidelines--Guidelines as court order--Custody of minors. Upon the filing of a summons and complaint for divorce or separate maintenance or any other custody action or proceeding, the plaintiff shall also file and serve upon the defendant a copy of the standard guidelines. The standard guidelines attached to the summons shall become an order of the court upon fulfillment of the requirements of service. Any minor child of the marriage shall remain in the custody of the parent who has been the primary caregiver for the minor child for the majority of time in the twelve months preceding the filing of the summons and complaint, unless the parties agree otherwise. The standard guidelines shall apply and continue in effect, unless the parties agree, or the court orders otherwise. Imposition of the standard guidelines creates no presumption as to who may be awarded custody at any hearing.

Source: SL 2002, ch 125, § 3; SL 2008, ch 127, § 1.