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Minors are natural male persons and natural female persons under eighteen years of age. The periods thus specified must be calculated from the first minute of the day on which persons are born, to the same minute of the corresponding day completing the period of minority.

South Dakota law presumes that custodial parents have a right to relocate with their minor children unless the children's welfare is at risk. This doesn't mean that the custodial parent has the right to move whenever they want, which is why the noncustodial parent has the right to object to a proposed move.

Ages eight to 10 years old should not be left alone for more than one and a half hours, and only during daylight and early evening hours. Children 11 to 12 years old may be left alone for up to three hours, and ages 13 to 15 may be left unsupervised – but not suggested for overnight.

Most of the time, children benefit from having good relationships with both parents. But if your child wants to live with their other parent full time, give your child space to express how they feel, and listen openly. But don't allow them to be rude?if they need help, guide them through rephrasing some statements.

Subject to the court's right to award custody of the child to either parent, considering the best interest of the child as to its temporal, mental, and moral welfare the father and mother of any minor child born in wedlock are equally entitled to the child's custody, service, and earnings.

If there is not a court Order or other enforceable agreement in place that governs the relocation of a child, the parent seeking to move must provide notice to the other parent of the intention to relocate.

If the court has granted visitation rights to a person who is considered a ?father? in the eyes of the law, you cannot prevent him from seeing the child. If you do, you will be in violation of the court order and can be found guilty of various counts of contempt for not abiding by the court-ordered visitation schedule.

In South Dakota, doesn't the mother usually get custody of the child? No. Mothers and fathers are equally entitled to seek and be awarded custody of their child. South Dakota law does not favor or discriminate against parents based on gender.

South Dakota does not have a minimum age at which it takes the child's parental preference into consideration. This is largely determined by the court's assessment of the maturity of the child, and children as young as 8 or 9 have been given input as to which parent they would like to live with.