Custody and visitation disputes--Order for therapy--Allocation of costs--Rebuttable presumption

SDCL § 25-4-84 — under DIVORCE AND SEPARATE MAINTENANCE.

SDCL § 25-4-84

In any custody or visitation dispute between parents, the court may order family therapy or reunification therapy to assist the parties in formulating or modifying a plan, or in implementing a plan, for custody or visitation. The court shall allocate the cost of any therapy ordered between the parties. There is a rebuttable presumption that, in a custody or visitation dispute between parents, it is not in the best interest of the child for the court to order family therapy or reunification therapy if the court finds: (1) One party has been the victim of domestic abuse, as defined in § 25-10-1 , perpetrated by the other party; or (2) A child involved in the action has been a victim of domestic abuse, as defined in § 25-10-1 , perpetrated by one of the parties. Source: SL 2025, ch 106 , § 1.