Difference Between Child Custody And Physical Placement In Wisconsin After a couple gets a decree of absolute divorce, their marriage is considered as no longer existing under the laws. As a result, either of them is given the right to contract a subsequent marriage. However, this does not entail that their obligations to their child are already severed upon the issuance of the divorce decree. Under the law, the mother or father must still perform the parental duties and obligations even after the finality of the divorce. There is a need to know the difference between child custody and physical placement in Wisconsin. These two terms are often interchanged causing confusion to party litigants in divorce cases or child support and custody cases. When one parent is granted custody, he or she has the right to make long-term and life-long decisions for the children. The decisions to be made here are major or those that have the capacity to affect the life of the children involved. As such, the said parent can choose where to send the kid for school or whether the child can secure a driver’s license. On the other hand, when we talk of physical placement, it refers to a condition wherein a particular parent is given the right to live with the kids. When one is granted the physical placement of the child, then the parent has the right to have the child be physically placed with him or her. During the placement, the parent can make minor decisions or those that only involve the day-to-day life of the child. There are two ways on how issues or disputes with respect to child custody and physical placement may be resolved. One is through an extra-judicial agreement executed by both parents. In this process, the parties would come to a bargaining table and make certain negotiations as to the terms and conditions of the arrangement. When everything is final, their respective lawyers will draft the private contract, which shall be the law between the parties. In cases where amicable settlement is impossible to be achieved, the parties will need to go through court litigation. The judge of the Family Court will be the one who will decide on the legal issues timely raised by both parties. The judge will apply the “best interests of the child” principle when it comes to deciding the cases or issuing court orders. For Legal Questions, contact me today!

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