Posted by DivorceLine in Wisconsin Child Custody Laws
Joint or sole child custody, “legal custody and physical placement,” may be awarded based on the best interests of the child and the following:
a) The preference of the child.
b) The wishes of the parents.
c) The child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, religion, and community.
d) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved.
e) The relationship of the child with parents, siblings, and other significant family members.
f) Any findings or recommendations of a neutral mediator.
g) The availability of childcare.
h) Any history of spouse or child abuse.
i) Any significant drug or alcohol abuse.
j) Whether 1 parent is likely to unreasonably interfere with the child’s relationship with the other parent.
k) Any parenting plan or other written agreement between the spouses regarding the child.
l) The amount of quality time that each parent has spent with the child in the past.
m) Any changes that a parent proposes in order to spend more time with the child in the future.
n) The age of the child and the child’s developmental and educational needs.
o) The cooperation and communication between the parents and whether either parent unreasonably refuses to cooperate with the other.
p) The need for regularly-occurring and meaningful periods of physical placement in order to provide predictability and stability for the child.
q) Any other factors except the sex and race of the parent.
[Based on Wisconsin Statutes; Section 767.41]
