Custody and Placement

Custody refers to which parent has the right to make major decisions for the child(ren), whether one parent gets to make these decisions or both parents are to make them jointly.  Joint legal custody is the presumed best option for parents in Wisconsin; however, if domestic abuse or abuse of the child(ren) has occurred during this arrangement sole legal custody to the non-abusive parent is then the expected result.  An abusive parent must show specific grounds as to why they should share joint legal custody. 

Placement means where and when the child(ren) spend time with each parent.  This is a separate determination from custody, such that even if both parents share joint legal custody one parent may have primary placement of the child(ren).  Factors to consider in deciding a placement schedule range from who should provide transportation, places to exchange the child(ren), accommodating work and extracurricular schedules, and school districts.  If there are serious safety concerns, placement may also be supervised by a third party.