Devoted Advocacy For Child Custody And Placement

If you’re in need of a child custody attorney in the Madison, Wisconsin, area, look no further than the team at Friedrich & Fletcher, S.C. With more than 65 years of experience in divorce and custody law, our attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that you and your children are well-protected.

Parents May Have Divided Rights

If parties have a child or children, they will need to work out the legal custody and physical placement arrangements. Legal custody refers to the right and responsibility to make major decisions for a child. In Wisconsin, “major decisions” include consent for health care, choice of school or religion, consent to marry, consent to join the military and consent to obtain a motor vehicle license. In Wisconsin, both parties may be awarded joint legal custody, or one party may be awarded sole legal custody. In Wisconsin, even if parties have joint legal custody, they may agree, or a court may order that one parent has final decision-making authority in one or more of the major decisions.

Physical placement refers to the schedule the parties’ child or children will follow between their respective homes. Typically, parents or the court must set the children’s routine time-sharing schedule, which is the schedule they follow for times other than holidays or vacations, as well as a specific schedule for future holidays and vacations. Child support arrangements may help to distribute the costs of the child’s physical care.

Our attorneys at Friedrich & Fletcher, S.C., understand how important child custody can be. We bring our experience and expert knowledge of Wisconsin family law to the table for each and every client. We’ll work directly with you to help you achieve your goals and find a solution that is in the best interest of your children.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody In Wisconsin

If you are a parent who has questions about your child custody rights and options, you can find your answers here. Here are some frequently asked questions from our clients:

Can a parent’s preference impact the custody decision?

Yes. Parents can discuss their preferences about child custody, including how often each parent receives physical custody of their children and decisions about their child’s upbringing and well-being. If parents cannot agree to a custody arrangement and a case goes to court, however, the court will place the child’s best interests above all. That gives each parent significantly less input on the ultimate result.

Can grandparents or other family members obtain visitation rights for the child?

Yes. Grandparents, step-parents and other family members can receive third-party visitation of a child. Third-party visitation can be obtained by applying for visitation rights and meeting certain conditions. Some conditions that would grant grandparents or other family members visitation rights may include the divorce or legal separation of the parents of the child or the death of a parent. Alternatively, family members could obtain visitation rights if a parent’s ability to parent is questioned. Our attorneys can help family members seek visitation of a child.

How can I modify an existing child custody order?

If a child custody order needs to be altered because of certain conflicts, an alteration could be obtained by a court. Parents may need to clarify why a revision is needed, such as if a job or school schedule conflicts with a parenting schedule, if a parent moves away or if a parent is not following a custody order. Revising a child custody order can take time. Parents can talk to our attorneys to understand their right to alter existing custody orders.

Are there any alternatives to going to court to resolve child custody disputes?

Yes. Court can be costly and time-consuming. Parents can avoid court by discussing child custody matters through mediation. Mediation would allow a third party to direct custody discussions so parents can reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

We Work To Protect Your Parent-Child Bond

Contact our experienced child custody attorneys at Friedrich & Fletcher, S.C., today for a consultation. Email us or call our Madison office at 608-258-4660. We’ll help you preserve your family ties and come up with a visitation schedule that works best for your family.