Custody

A parenting plan is a document that is written up by each party outlining what kind of custody or physical placement s/he wants. It also includes important details about the child’s life – for example, where s/he will go to school, how s/he will receive medical care, and who will provide child care when needed.¹

Usually, in any case involving annulment, divorce, legal separation, paternity, custody, or child support in which legal custody or physical placement is challenged, a party seeking legal custody or physical placement has to file a parenting plan with the court if:

• the judge waives the requirement to attend mediation, or
• if the parties attend mediation and do not reach an agreement.²

Unless the judge orders otherwise, the parenting plan has to be filed within 60 days. If you do not file the parenting plan in time, you waive (give up) the right to object to the other party’s parenting plan.²

¹ Wis. Stat. § 767.41(1m)(a)-(o)
² Wis. Stat. § 767.41(1m)