Wausau Custody Attorneys: Custody and Placement Explained
Find out how our Wausau custody & placement lawyers can assist you.
As Wausau custody attorneys, we find our family law clients often confuse the terms “custody” and “placement” when involved in legal proceedings such as a divorce or paternity action, or a custody or placement dispute. Often, when parents talk about where their children live or will live, they mistakenly phrase it in terms of who has “custody” of their children. This is understandable, as the ordinary meaning of “custody” suggests having someone or something in your care and control.
However, in Wisconsin, there are two separate and distinct issues to be addressed in every family law action involving minor children:
Placement is the term used to describe where the children will physically be. For example, placement may be with Mom on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Dad on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and alternate between the parents on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Custody is the term used to describe who has the right and responsibility to make major decisions concerning the children. This includes decisions related to schooling, medical care, religion, extra-curricular activities and other important events.
If one parent has placement of the child more than 75% of the time, he or she is said to have primary placement of the child. If each parent has the child more than 25% of the time, the parents are said to have shared placement of the child.
Joint custody means that both parents both parents participate in the important decisions relating to their children. Neither parent’s decision takes precedence over the other’s. The parties are required to consult with each other and attempt to reach agreement with respect to major decisions affecting the lives of their minor children. Sole custody means one parent has sole authority to make major decisions relating to the children. Sometimes, parents have joint legal custody with regard to most issues, but one parent is awarded sole decision-making authority as to one or more important issues (such as religion or choice of school).
In Wisconsin, except in cases where the court finds that a party has engaged in a pattern or serious incident of interspousal battery or domestic abuse, there is a presumption that joint custody is in the best interests of the child. Nonetheless, the court may award one party sole custody under certain conditions outlined at Wis. Stat. sec. 767.41(2).
Wausau Custody Attorneys
Are you looking for Wausau custody attorneys? Get more information about Wausau custody attorneys. Learn more about child custody & placement, child support, divorce or paternity from Wausau custody attorneys If you have questions about your family law matter, call our Wausau custody attorneys for a free telephone consultation. Call 715.843.6700 to speak with one of our Wausau custody attorneys, or email our Wausau custody attorneys via our Contact page. Wausau custody attorneys serving clients throughout north central Wisconsin. General information about custody & placement in Wisconsin, courtesy of Wausau custody attorneys.
