| Wisconsin child custody laws, found in Section 767.41 | | | | other significant family members. This law is to protect |
| of the Wisconsin Statutes, have been made to protect | | | | the relationships that the child has with other family |
| the best interest of the child. The state has legislated | | | | members. It is in the best interest of the child to |
| guidelines so that the welfare of the child is protected | | | | continue to develop a relationship with both parents, as |
| when the parents separate or divorce. The "best | | | | well as with siblings and other family members (like |
| interest of the child" standard is very important in the | | | | grandparents) who have been in the child's life. A |
| state, and parents must do everything in their power to | | | | Wisconsin parenting plan must take these relationships |
| comply with this directive. It especially applies as the | | | | into account and try to preserve them. |
| parents create a parenting plan and custody | | | | 3. Whether one parent is likely to unreasonably |
| agreement. All of the decisions that go into these | | | | interfere with the child's relationship with the other |
| important documents must be based on what helps | | | | parent. Statute 767.41 has been put in place to protect |
| and benefits the child. Here are a few of the factors | | | | both parents' relationship with the child. Neither the |
| the state considers that affect what is best for the | | | | mother or father has the right to interfere with the |
| child. Parents should think about these factors as they | | | | child's relationship to the other parent. The court will not |
| make a plan or agreement. | | | | accept behavior by one of the parents that |
| 1. The child's adjustment to home, school, and | | | | intentionally harms the other parent and child. This does |
| community. How well the child adjusts to new | | | | not promote the child's welfare. |
| situations and how well the child is already settled in a | | | | 4. The age of the child and the child's education and |
| routine is something a Wisconsin court will look at to | | | | developmental needs. This is an obvious factors that |
| determine what type of custody arrangement is best | | | | affects the custody agreement and parenting plan. |
| for the child. If a child has had a stable environment | | | | The plan must be personalized to meet the needs of |
| and is doing well in school, the state does not want the | | | | the child. Parents need to think about the unique needs |
| child uprooted and forced to adjust to a completely | | | | their child has and strive to fulfill them. The plan should |
| new set of circumstances. A mother and father need | | | | adapt and change as the child grows older and the |
| to think about this as they make a plan. | | | | needs become different. |
| 2. The relationship of the child to parents, siblings, and | | | | |