262-788-5335
Child Custody Laws in Wisconsin
Maintain Strong, Loving Relationships with Your Children through Divorce - Get help from First Look Family Law
Child custody determinations have a major impact on the lives of both the children and the parents. If you are facing divorce or separation, preserving your relationship with your children is likely a foremost concern. Wisconsin law recognizes that children generally benefit from maintaining solid relationships with both parents. Before your child custody case starts, let us take a first look at your case and talk with you about your children and what should be done to make sure they are protected during the process.
Call us today at 262-788-5335 to get a free 30-minute consultation on child custody and divorce in WI.
Protecting Your Parental Rights
Traditional and Low-Conflict Solutions
At First Look Family Law, SC, we understand the paramount importance of your parental rights. We also understand the emotional turmoil that often accompanies divorce. We can provide thoughtful legal counsel to assist clients in achieving favorable outcomes with an eye toward minimizing the emotional and economic toll of divorce. We can also talk with you about the tools you need to make the best life decision regarding your custody issue and your children and give you honest feedback about your situation.
Attorney Karyn Gimbel Youso has been an attorney and mediator in practice for over 27 years, and she’s here to help you make the best-informed decisions regarding your family’s future. She devotes her practice exclusively to family law and knows the latest developments in child custody law, in resolving custody disputes and skillfully advocates for her clients in and out of court.
Our practice offers a unique blend of strengths and experience in both low-conflict and traditional approaches to divorce. This balance puts us in the best possible position to help our clients gain a thorough understanding of child custody and the potential issues before the case even starts, which then helps them select the best option to move toward their goals.
Understanding Child Custody
In Wisconsin, there are several aspects of child custody:
- Legal custody refers to the legal authority to make major decisions in your children’s lives. Courts presume that both parents are entitled to joint legal custody.
- Placement refers to the physical care of the children. Courts generally strive to maximize the amount of time each parent physically spends with the children.
- Visitation refers to a noncustodial parent’s right to parenting time with the children.
Custody and placement decisions must be based on the best interests of the child, as approved by the court. Several considerations factor into this determination, including:
The age of the children
The health of the parents and children
The children’s adjustment to their home, school and community
The children’s relationships with extended family
The children’s preferences (if they are old enough)When the parents live in different states, special legal considerations apply to the custody determination. We are familiar with these considerations and provide experienced legal guidance for parents facing interstate custody disputes.
Once the initial custody arrangement is established, changes in life circumstances may warrant modifying the arrangement to better fit the children’s needs. Court approval must be obtained for modifications, including proposed relocations or move-aways. Our firm represents clients seeking or opposing such modifications.
