Minn. Stat. » CHAPTER 260C. JUVENILE SAFETY AND PLACEMENT
Minnesota Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 260C.511 (2026)

Best Interests Of The Child

✓ current as of May 2026
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(a) The "best interests of the child" means all relevant factors to be considered and evaluated. In the case of an Indian child, best interests of the child includes best interests of an Indian child as defined in section 260.755, subdivision 2a.

(b) In making a permanency disposition order or termination of parental rights, the court must be governed by the best interests of the child, including a review of the relationship between the child and relatives and the child and other important persons with whom the child has resided or had significant contact.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 23 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 2015–2025 · leading case: In the Matter of the WELFARE OF the CHILD OF A.H., Parent, 879 N.W.2d 1 (Minn. Ct. App. 2016).
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In the Matter of the WELFARE OF the CHILD OF A.H., Parent, 879 N.W.2d 1 (Minn. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 8× “185 (2014) to support its decision, but did not refer to either Minn.Stat. § 260C.511 (providing that court must consider best interests of child in permanency proceedings) or Minn.”
In the Matter of the WELFARE OF the Child Of: J.P.-S. & J.D.F., Parents, 880 N.W.2d 868 (Minn. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “2015) (listing numerous child-centered factors that child-placing agency must consider to determine needs of child in-order to ensure out-of- *873 home placement is in child’s best interests); cf Minn. Stat. § 260C.511 (Supp. 2015) (defining- “best interests of the child,” for…”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: D. L. W., Legal Custodian (Minn. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 8× “Minnesota Statutes section 260C.511 (2022) “provides the best-interests criteria that a district court must consider before ordering a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child to a relative.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: A. S., D. S., C. P., J. H., Parents (Minn. Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 8× “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511 (2022); see also J.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child of: B. Q.-R. H., AKA: B. Q. R. H. AKA: B. Q.-R. H. AKA: B. Q. R. H. & D. M. ... (Minn. Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 8× “212, subdivision 2(b) (2022), and not section 260C.511, guide the analysis. But section 260C.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child of: F. F. N. M., Parent (Minn. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 6× “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(a) (2022). 6 Nonetheless, we note that appellate courts have upheld the admission of reports such as those at issue here.”
Inquiry into the Conduct of the Honorable John P. Dehen (Minn. 2025). · cites it 6× “The statute does not specify how the “best interests of the at-risk juvenile” are to be determined; it states only that “ ‘[b]est interests’ has the meaning given in section 260C.511, paragraph (a),” Minn. Stat.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: A. M. C., T. D. R., & A. J. J., Jr., Parents. (Minn. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(b) (Supp. 2015). M.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child of: T. M. A. & M. J. R., Parents (Minn. Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 4× “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(a) (2022). “In making a permanency disposition order .”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child(ren) of: S. S., Parent (Minn. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 4× “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(b) (2024). This requires the court to consider and evaluate “all relevant factors.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: N. M. L. & E. R. L., Parents. (Minn. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 6× “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(a) (2014). The district court is required to make findings analyzing: (1) the child’s interest in preserving the parent-child relationship; (2) the parent’s interest in preserving the parent-child relationship; and (3) any competing interests of the…”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: J. S. & P. M., Parents. (Minn. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 4× “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(a) (2014). “[A]n order for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative shall only be made after the court has reviewed the suitability of the prospective legal and physical custodian[.”
Show all 23 citing cases →
— Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(a) — 18 cases
In the Matter of the WELFARE OF the CHILD OF A.H., Parent, 879 N.W.2d 1 (Minn. Ct. App. 2016). “185 (2014) to support its decision, but did not refer to either Minn.Stat. § 260C.511 (providing that court must consider best interests of child in permanency proceedings) or Minn.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child of: F. F. N. M., Parent (Minn. Ct. App. 2023). “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(a) (2022). 6 Nonetheless, we note that appellate courts have upheld the admission of reports such as those at issue here.”
Inquiry into the Conduct of the Honorable John P. Dehen (Minn. 2025). “The statute does not specify how the “best interests of the at-risk juvenile” are to be determined; it states only that “ ‘[b]est interests’ has the meaning given in section 260C.511, paragraph (a),” Minn. Stat.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child of: J. B. & S. N.-J., Parents. (Minn. Ct. App. 2016).
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: D. C. a/k/a Q. N. F. (W.), Parent. (Minn. Ct. App. 2016).
— Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(b) — 8 cases
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: A. M. C., T. D. R., & A. J. J., Jr., Parents. (Minn. Ct. App. 2016). “Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(b) (Supp. 2015). M.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child(ren) of: S. S., Parent (Minn. Ct. App. 2025). “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(b) (2024). This requires the court to consider and evaluate “all relevant factors.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: N. M. L. & E. R. L., Parents. (Minn. Ct. App. 2015). “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511(a) (2014). The district court is required to make findings analyzing: (1) the child’s interest in preserving the parent-child relationship; (2) the parent’s interest in preserving the parent-child relationship; and (3) any competing interests of the…”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: D. L. W., Legal Custodian (Minn. Ct. App. 2023). “Minnesota Statutes section 260C.511 (2022) “provides the best-interests criteria that a district court must consider before ordering a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child to a relative.”
In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child. of: A. S., D. S., C. P., J. H., Parents (Minn. Ct. App. 2024). “” Minn. Stat. § 260C.511 (2022); see also J.”
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