Child custody is one of the most complex – and emotional – areas of family law. After all, the final child custody order issued by the court will determine how much time you will actually have with your child. In order to obtain the best decision possible based on the circumstances of your case, it is essential to have a knowledgeable and experienced child custody attorney by your side, advocating for your parental rights and protecting your child’s best interest.

The following are some of the key reasons why you should retain a child custody attorney for any custody issues you may be facing.

Knowledge and Skillset

Child custody cases involve complex legal procedures and intricate family laws. A child custody attorney focuses their services in this area of law and possesses in-depth knowledge of the relevant statutes, regulations, and legal precedents. Their skillset ensures that your case is handled with care and precision.

A child custody order is a legal arrangement that establishes the rights and responsibilities of parents regarding the care and custody of their children. Under Wisconsin law, neither parent can request changes to the order for at least two years unless they can show that there are circumstances that necessitate this change. The following is a brief overview of child custody modification. For more detailed information, contact John T. Fields & Associates, LLC.

Substantial Change in Circumstances

As mentioned above, a parent must show there have been significant changes that warrant a change in custody in order to request a modification before the two years is up. Some of these changes can include a change in the custodial parent’s living arrangements, their physical or mental health, or their employment status. If there are concerns about a parent's fitness or misconduct, such as abuse, neglect, substance abuse, or criminal behavior, the court may consider modifying the custody order to protect the child from potential harm.

Other issues that could be used as grounds for a child custody modification include:

High-conflict divorce cases are complicated, frustrating, and exhausting. Anyone who has gone through a divorce case involving a spouse who refuses to cooperate, withholds information, or otherwise makes the divorce as difficult as possible can attest to just how difficult high-conflict divorce is.

If you are getting divorced and there is little hope of an amicable separation, protecting yourself, your rights, and your finances is essential. Make sure you work with a divorce attorney who is familiar with the unique complications and difficulties associated with a high-conflict divorce.

Take inventory of Your Assets and Debts

When preparing for your divorce, one of the best things you can do is to take a full accounting of your financial situation. This is especially critical if your spouse was the one who typically handled financial issues such as paying the bills or managing investments. You need to know what you own and what you owe so you can make informed decisions regarding property division, spousal support, child support, and other financial matters during your divorce.

Co-parenting with an ex can be tricky, and the situation becomes even more complicated when a parent wants to move to a new residence with the child. If you or your child's other parent are interested in relocating, it is essential that you understand Wisconsin law regarding parental relocation. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of parental relocation in Wisconsin, what happens when a parent disagrees with a proposed relocation, and how Wisconsin courts make decisions about what is in a child's best interests.

What is Considered a Relocation Under Wisconsin Law?

If a parent moves within the same town or school district, this can typically be accomplished without the court’s involvement. The parents may need to work out a few minor issues, such as transportation of the child to and from school, but a parent will not be required to get court permission to move.

However, if a proposed move is significant, this may be considered a “relocation.” Specifically, a parent must get permission from the court to move if:

It's no secret that divorces can be angry and nasty affairs rife with fighting and poor behavior. When you add children to the mix, though, it gets even more complicated.

Working out child custody is often harder than working out any potential alimony, split assets, or even the divorce agreement itself. You're responsible for making sure not only that the plan works for the child (and this should be your primary focus) but that it also works for both parents.