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Wisconsin Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support for Wisconsin on
Q: Pregnant help

My 16 old

Son at this time and his 17 yr old gf pregnant when baby born she will be 18 he will be 17 lives in two differ

States him wisconsin her Minnesota if she places the baby for adoption does he have right to keep him or are his rights nothing

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Dec 4, 2022

This would be subject to the law of Minnesota if the child reisdes in that state once born. To place the child for adoption, the Court would need to terminate the parental rights of both parents. The biological father should file a paternity action once the child is born and request that he have... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Wisconsin on
Q: Does my daughter have to return to her father's if he violated the custody agreement and she is uncomfortable/ stressed?

My 14 yr old daughter (starting 9th grade) has made it very clear that she does not want to be at her father's, due to dismissal of feelings and uncomfortability with stepmother and manipulation to go live with them out of state. She has missed her monthly period due to stress of being there... Read more »

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Jul 31, 2022

You should consult with an experienced family law attorney in your area. To modify placement, you will need to prove facts that establish that there has been a substantial change of circumstances since entry of the current placement Order, and that a modification is in her best interests.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: Order states "7 day vacation in conjunction to the already scheduled 4 days." Is that 4 scheduled days PLUS the 7?
Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on May 21, 2023

This is rather awkward wording. It appears that it would be seven days in addition to four days. This is surprising because most Marital Settlement Agreements state that you need to schedule your vacation over your scheduled weekend of placement.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: Fraudulent allegations ofp made, consequences to petitioner?
Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Nov 27, 2022

This question is not clear. There is aneed for more information prior to responding.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: Can our Grandsons mother stop let us see our grandson with no warning? Our son died in 2020 and they were never married

Since 2020, he has come to stay every other weekend until 3 months ago, something changed and we've seen him once.

Over this last summer, she didn't let him stay half the summer like before because he's watching his 4 small siblings while her and her boyfriend work.... Read more »

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Nov 27, 2022

You can file a Motion for Grandparent Visitation for a Court Ordered schedule to see him if she is denying you contact.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: How can I remove someone from my child’s birth certificate if they are not the biological father
Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Aug 29, 2022

You would need to file a Paternity action for the adjudication of paternity for the biological father.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Wisconsin on
Q: What to do if other parents telling 10yr old about court hearings, child support, terms of visitation, etc. ?

Moms on limited visitation, 5 hrs e/o Sat&sun in public settings.2kids together.My 10 yr old is asking me about court dates coming up, child support, why they only see mom in public etc. Every time they come back from a visit something new is brought up that kids shouldn't be involved... Read more »

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Jul 19, 2022

Children are not to be told about Court proceedings. You should address this with the Court and Guardian ad Litem, if one is appointed.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: Can I file a notice or order to change custody and placement, if there's a current open case for contempt, in Wisconsin.

My ex and I have 50/50. He's barely exercised his placement the last 2 years (less than 30 days out of his 365). Our 15yo does not want to go to his dad's anymore because hes never there or spends any time with him. Ex recently filed contempt on me because I didn't allow our son to... Read more »

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Mar 9, 2022

There is a provision in the Wisconsin State Statutes that provides that a person can lose their court ordered placement if they do not exercise it. You can file a Motion to modify the current Order to incorporate the status quo.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: What do I do? my godson has been with me since October 2020 his mom drop him off and I've been taking care w/ no supp.

Mom still gets foodshare and received child tax credits, but when I filed him on my taxes this year she started threatening me but he still is here and goes to school from here.

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Feb 15, 2022

You can file a petition for guardianship since she has left the child in your care for such a long time. She would have a right to visit with the child, but she would also have an obligation for payment of support.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: My girlfriend has a baby with another man and they are in child custody court. The father is saying I can't be around

I have a record and he is saying I can't be around the child. But I've been out of trouble.

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Dec 10, 2021

Whether you can be around the child would depend on the nature of your record of convictions and whether the Court and Guardian ad Litem believe that it would not be in the best interests of the children for you to have contact with them. More information would be needed to respond to this... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Wisconsin on
Q: I am searching for guidance and possible representation regarding my current child support situation.

My Ex has 3 kids under age 18; 1 from previous ex-wife, and 2 with me.

1st kid-he pays child support, order is through Walworth Co. Court.

We then had our child together; [we are unmarried] order was placed for him to pay support to me -also through Walworth Co. We then moved into... Read more »

Michael Edwards
Michael Edwards
answered on Oct 7, 2021

If you are a aware that father is living with a convicted felon, you are certainly justified to be concerned about your kids being in that environment. Revisiting placement could be an option for you depending on what the current orders are set at. For child support, I would need some additional... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: How can I go about getting custody of my 16 year old child if her father threw her out of the house

And then her father called her in as a runaway

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Aug 2, 2021

You have a right to file a Motion for Modification of Placement because of a substantial change of circumstances.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Litigation for Wisconsin on
Q: How do I ask the Family court commissioner to remove all non parties from the court room?

My ex and I have a placement modification hearing coming up. He will be bringing people with him. I know it can be done, but how do I ask that all non parties please be excused from the courtroom?

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Jul 23, 2021

Unless it is a paternity hearing, many of these hearings are public hearings. You can object to the people being in the courtroom, but it is within the discretion of the Commissioner to ban them. You could raise the issue that these people are likely to be called as witnesses at a trial and... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: Who determines/has right to set child custody agreement prior to it being established in court and how is it upheld?

Can custody be established outside of court or without a court ordered agreement? If so, how is that upheld/adhered to and what as a mother can I do if it is not? Is the agreement done between two parties without being court sanctioned legally binding?

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Jul 15, 2021

Both parents can sign a Stipulation and Order as to custody and placement, but it will need to be filed with the Court and the Order signed by the Commissioner or Judge before it is enforceable.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Wisconsin on
Q: CHIPS petition opened on the mother and the father also lost custody of the child through no fault of his own.

Father has been secluded through out the process

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Jul 5, 2021

Has the father been adjudicated the father or signed an acknowledgement of paternity if not married to the mother? If not, he needs to make CPS aware so he can be adjudicated and have legal standing in the proceedings.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Wisconsin on
Q: If I have 50/50 legal custody and 100% physical custody can their mom change the order and move away with kids?

I have 50/50 legal custody and 100% physical custody. I got divorced September of 2020. Their mom does not take them overnight and rarely ever sees them. She now says she is moving to Arizona and wants the kids for the summer months. Is there a way she will be able to change the order and move away... Read more »

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Jun 10, 2021

No. She would need to file a Motion for Modification of Placement or you both would need to sign a Stipulation and Order for modification of the Order to allow her summer placement. She needs an Order of the Court. If she does not have the Court Order, she can not remove them without your... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: Can one of you please review a part of my custody order? I didn't have atty, the ex says he can keep our child

I had a custody order filed over two years ago in Mille lacs county. Unfortunately I couldn't afford an attorney, and he could. Now my ex is claiming he doesn't have to let our daughter leave MN. I would've never agreed to that because my mother lives here (I live in Wisconsin since... Read more »

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on Jun 7, 2021

There is no County in Wisconsin by that name. You will need to consult with an attorney licensed in the State in which the Order was entered.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Could we be granted shared legal custody of our 6 year old granddaughter if we go to court.

My husband and I have been caring for our 6 yr old granddaughter (living with us) 5 days a week for most of her life. Mother has sole custody. She has signed a medical consent form so that we take care of all her doctor appointments. We are her paternal grandparents.

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on May 13, 2021

The Family Court Code does not provide for shared physical placement of non parents. If the parents would be found to be unfit, you could petition for guardianship. However, for a third party such as a grandparent to be awarded placement, not visitation, there would need to be a referral to the... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: Can a mother force a father to give up rights to his child?

Father had been in jail, no visitation rights. Father is out of jail for 2 years now and the mother is taking him to court on May 21st to continue no visitation and try to terminate rights. Father has little money for a lawyer and does not want to give up rights and wants to resume sharing... Read more »

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on May 13, 2021

The only way a Court will terminate a parent's parental rights is if there is someone who will be adopting the child in the shoes of that parent. Family Court can enter an Order to hold open placement, but that can be modified based upon a substantial change of circumstances.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Wisconsin on
Q: Will my ex get 5050 after I have been primary caregiver since kids were born? Divorced now almost 2 years.

I have had primary placement (70/30) for over 2 years and perform all the primary caregiver functions. I moved and ended up closer to my ex to make shorter commutes for kid. For last 3 months I let him take them for 2 extra nights, because he asked and I did it out of the kindness of my heart. It... Read more »

Jane E. Probst
PREMIUM
Jane E. Probst
answered on May 10, 2021

To modify a child placement Order after two years have expired since entry of the initial order, your ex would need to prove that there has been a substantial change of circumstances since entry of the last order and that the modification is in the best interests. What will hurt you will be that... Read more »

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