Understanding Custody And Placement

Under Wisconsin law, the term “legal custody” refers to a parent’s, or parents’, right to make major decisions for a child. These decisions include, but are not limited to: education, religion and nonemergency medical care. In Wisconsin, there is a legal presumption that parents making these decisions jointly (“joint legal custody”) is in a child’s best interests.

On the other hand, placement refers to where a child spends his or her time on a day-to-day basis. In Wisconsin, the court is tasked with maximizing the time children spend with both parents, assuming placement with both parents is in the children’s best interests. Because both placement and custody can play an important role in determining child support, understanding your options and possible outcomes is an important part of ensuring both your and your child’s rights are protected and secured.

Options For Custody And Placement

As with most family law matters, the court considers what is best for a child before taking action. If both parents are fit, the court will typically issue an order for a joint legal custody.

In terms of placement, the options are as follows:

  • Primary placement — The child primarily lives at the residence of one parent.
  • Shared placement — The child resides in the homes of both parents.
  • Split placement — The primary placement of multiple children is split between both parents.

You and the other parent may not agree on custody or placement. If a dispute should arise, seeking legal advice can assist you with understanding your options and the best way to proceed.

How An Attorney Can Assist You

We understand that parents who come to us are in a difficult situation. Despite wanting only what is best for their child, emotions can get in the way. If you are struggling with a custody or placement case, or interested in mediation or parent coordination services, our experienced attorneys can assist you with a range of professional family law services.

Let us help you navigate through tough emotions and complicated legal issues so you can put your child’s welfare first. Call 414-273-5551 or send us an email to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.