Top Tips for Creating a Wisconsin Parenting Plan

 Posted on February 12, 2020 in Parenting

Ending a marriage can be extremely difficult for many reasons. For some couples, their union ends in heartbreak with much tension between them. In other cases, the split is more peaceful, and ending the marriage allows the couple to close a chapter of their life in anticipation of a fresh start. Whatever the reasons, if you are a parent who is considering a divorce, it is important to realize that even though your marriage is over, your role as a parent does not stop. You will always be in your ex-spouse’s life, because you share children together, and it is both of your jobs to ensure your children are taken care of after the divorce.

Filing a Parenting Plan

Planning for how you will raise your children together after your Wisconsin divorce can be a tedious process. Wisconsin courts require parents to attend mediation sessions in order to create a parenting plan. If you and your spouse are able to reach a resolution on a parenting plan, the court will typically approve it, as long as the terms of the plan are reasonable, and both parents voluntarily agree to it. If the court waives the need for mediation, or if you and your spouse attended mediation and were unable to come to a mutual arrangement on matters, you will each have to submit a proposed parenting plan to the court in writing within 60 days. 

Contents of Your Parenting Plan

Think of your parenting plan as a blueprint for how you and your spouse will continue to parent your children even though you are no longer married. Your parenting plan should contain as much information as possible about parenting time, responsibilities of each parent, parenting rules, and child care. Elements of your parenting plan can include:

• A proposed schedule of when the child will spend time with each parent

• How holidays, school breaks, and other significant days will be allocated between parents

• How the cost of childcare will be split between the parents

• Where the child will go to school

• How the child will be transported between households, to and from school, and to other places

• How child support will be paid and by which parent

• How the child’s medical expenses will be handled

• How decisions will be made about the child’s religion, education, medical care, or extracurricular activities

• A proposed method of resolving any disagreements between parents

Contact a Waukesha County Divorce Attorney 

Divorcing when you have children can be difficult, because it is not just you and your spouse who are involved -- your children’s lives are affected too. It is always best for your children if you and your spouse can agree on a parenting plan, but sometimes that is not possible. At Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP, we understand the importance of a comprehensive parenting plan, and we will do everything in our power to make sure you and your child’s best interests are protected. To schedule a free consultation with our Muskego parenting time lawyers, call our office today at 262-232-6699. Our phones are answered 24/7.

Sources:

https://www.wicourts.gov/formdisplay/FA-4147V.pdf?formNumber=FA-4147V&formType=Form&formatId=2&language=en

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/767/V/41