Wisconsin Family Lawyer Blog

Child Placement and Custody in Wisconsin: What About the Child's Wishes?

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:44:37 -0600

Last week I attended the thirty-sixth annual conference of the Wisconsin Inter-Professional Committee on Divorce. One full day was devoted to the topic of the voice of the child in custody and placement disputes. Wisconsin Statutes provide that the "wishes of the child" is a specific factor for the court to consider. See Wis. Stats. Sec. 767.41(5).

But what does that mean in practice? How much weight should the child's wishes be given? And how can the child's wishes be accurately ascertained in the fraught environment of a pending court action?

A pending Wisconsin Court of Appeals case explores these issues in the context of a post-judgment placement modification motion. Wessel, Lehker & Fumelle argued in that appeal that it was error for the trial court to base its placement decision exclusively on the child's preference. Read our briefs here. Watch this blog for updates.

Kris Lehker

Registering Orders for Enforcement in Wisconsin

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:38:00 -0600

If you're looking for a Wisconsin court's assistance with enforcing an order from another state, one trap to be wary of is the differing registration provisions for enforcement of support orders vs. enforcement of custody and placement orders.

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) sets forth at Wis. Stat. § 822.35 the procedure for registering an order for placement and custody. The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) sets forth at Wis. Stat. § 769.601 - 608 the procedure for registering an order for support. Both statutes specify the registration procedures, the steps that the registering court must take to provide notice, and the procedures and standards for contesting registration. While the basic procedures are similar, there are differences, and registering an order for purposes of one of the statutes will not suffice for registering an order for purposes of the other.

Contact the attorneys at Wessel, Lehker & Fumelle for assistance with these complex statutes.

Divorce Rate for Americans Over Age 50 is Increasing in Wisconsin, Nationwide

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:09:43 -0600

Although divorce rates have declined across the nation, divorce is becoming increasingly common for Americans age 50 and over. In fact, the divorce rate for the age group has reached an all-time high. In 1990, about 10 percent of individuals divorcing were over the age of 50. By 2009, that number was approximately 25 percent and more than 600,000 people in the United States over 50 chose to end their marriage. By 2030, more than 800,000 people over the age of 50 are expected to divorce each year.

A survey conducted by the AARP in 2004 reportedly found that women between the ages of 40 and 69 were more likely to initiate a divorce than men. Men initiated a split in only 34 percent of divorce cases within the age group. Additionally, infidelity played a factor in only about one fourth of divorces for older Americans. 53 percent of the time, it was not the first divorce for at least one of the spouses. In fact, Americans aged 50 to 64 who are previously divorced are reportedly twice as likely to become divorced again. For those over 65, the likelihood quadruples.

Experts believe many members of the so-called baby boomer generation are seeking additional fulfillment as they reach the empty nest stage of life. They are purportedly looking ahead and seeking to make the most of their remaining healthy years. Divorcing during a recession can be complicated, however. A spouse who is awarded an underwater home may be burdened with additional debt.

Despite the rising baby boomer divorce rate, the AARP survey found that being alone was the top fear among both women and men between the ages of 40 and 79. Perhaps as a result of the divorce trend, dating websites geared to the 50 and up crowd are becoming increasingly common. In 2011, the number of dating website users over the age of 50 reportedly grew twice as fast as any other age group.

Wisconsin State Senator Introduces Bill That Would Associate Single Parenthood With Child Abuse

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:04:39 -0600

Wisconsin Senator Glenn Grothman has sponsored a bill in the state legislature that would make single parenthood a recognized contributing factor to child abuse and neglect. Senate Bill 507 would require the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to teach that children are less likely to be abused or neglected in a so-called traditional household consisting of both of a child's parents. The bill was co-sponsored by State Representative Donald Pridemore.

Critics of Senate Bill 507 believe its wording will create a slippery slope for single parents in the state. Senator Lena Taylor, a single parent herself, has expressed outrage over the bill. She believes Senate Bill 507 is blatantly hostile towards women. According to Nicole Angresano of the Milwaukee United Way, the language is non-inclusive and unnecessarily divisive. Angresano believes Grothman has unfairly placed all single parents into the same category.

According to Grothman, the intent of the proposed law is being misunderstood by the public. He said the bill is aimed at promoting public awareness regarding child abuse and neglect. Grothman stated he is not trying to make state law call single parents child abusers. Grothman claims children are 20 times more likely to experience abuse in households where they are not raised by both natural parents. He believes the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board should be teaching that a traditional family is a superior way of raising children.

In 2009, more than one-fourth of children under 21 in the United States lived with a single parent. Single mothers also reportedly outnumbered single fathers by a ratio of 5 to 1. In Wisconsin, approximately one-third of all parents are single. Senate Bill 507 would not establish criminal or civil penalties for single parents, but would affect what the state-funded the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board teaches. The board currently has an annual budget of $3 million.

Family law is an emotional subject due to its very nature. Every year, many Wisconsin residents find themselves in the midst of an unexpected divorce. The host of emotions associated with the end of a marriage can be understandably overwhelming and the financial damage can oftentimes feel devastating. One of the best ways to deal with divorce is to prepare yourself and your children for the possible emotional roller coaster. If you are contemplating divorce, a qualified family law attorney can help you protect your interests.

Wisconsin Child Custody: Medical Decisions Before Birth

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:34:08 -0600

Can a putative father obtain an injunction in a Wisconsin paternity case before he has been adjudicated the father? The answer - at least in one court - appears to be "yes."

Mom filed a paternity action regarding her unborn child. Alleged dad learned that mom was planning to subject the baby to an elective medical procedure shortly after the baby's birth. Specifically, mom was planning to have the baby circumcised.

Alleged Dad objected to the circumcision on health and cultural grounds. Dad moved for a temporary order enjoining the parties from consenting to non-emergency medical procedures pending further order.

Because the baby's due date was rapidly approaching, the court scheduled the motion for a hearing on the injunctive relief just a week after dad filed his motion. On the Friday before the Monday hearing, the court ruined a guardian ad litem's weekend, appointing him in the case with a preliminary recommendation due Monday.

Ultimately the parties settled, stipulating to an interim order enjoining both of them from consenting to circumcision pending further order. They reached this stipulation despite an interim recommendation from the guardian ad litem that the injunction be denied and the mother be given authority to proceed with circumcision.

Thus while there was no court ruling on the question of a man's standing to obtain injunctive relief concerning a child with no adjudicated father, the court appeared ready to address the medical consent issue squarely - appointing a guardian ad litem to address the merits, scheduling an emergency hearing.

The final outcome: Alleged dad was adjudicated the father. Months later the parties reached a permanent agreement that neither would consent to circumcision.

BOUNDARY ENCROACHMENT? YOUR REMEDY MAY DEPEND ON RELATIONS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:41:53 -0600

So you've decided to sell your residence and you have discovered an encroachment on your boundary line with your adjacent neighbor. This can take the form of a driveway that lies partially over the lot line, or even a garage that straddles the lot line. Whatever the case, you will have to deal with the situation prior to closing. In most cases your neighbor will grant a simple easement allowing the encroachment to remain. But what if your neighbor declines to grant an easement?

We recently faced this very situation in which a paved driveway was placed approximately one foot over the lot line. For various reasons, the neighbor refused to grant an easement and instead offered to sell the area of encroachment to our client. This greatly complicated the situation, but with proper planning we were able to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of the neighbor, the neighbor's lender, the buyer's lender, and the title company.

In this case, we had to first determine the area to be conveyed by means of a survey and needed to confirm zoning requirements. The next step was to determine the existence of any encumbrances on the area to be conveyed which required a title search on the neighbor's property. Once these measures were taken, we reached an agreement with the neighbor for the transfer of the encroachment area. Amendments were made to the purchase contract in the underlying transaction and partial releases of mortgages were obtained on the neighbor's property to assure that clear title would be conveyed. Finally, we obtained city approval of the plat of survey and successful closings followed.

This account shows that sometimes the apparently routine real estate transaction can suddenly present unexpected challenges. An attorney must be prepared to handle these challenges. Although we represented the seller in this instance, a buyer must also need to be aware of this potential issue.

Child Support Oral Argument in Wisconsin Supreme Court Scheduled for October 6

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:25:53 -0600

In January we blogged about a child support issue that's headed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. That case has now been scheduled for oral argument. Attorney Keith Wessel of Wessel, Lehker & Fumelle will argue the case before the full Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday, October 6, at 1:30 pm.

Under current Wisconsin child support law, parents may not agree to a maximum amount of child support. Such agreements are held to violate public policy because children should share in their parents' increased earnings. Yet the courts have imposed few restrictions on parents' agreements on a minimum amount of child support. In the case before the court, the child support payer's income decreased - a common scenario in today's economy - yet the payer was precluded from seeking a reduction in his child support payments. We argue that child support should be modifiable as the parents' financial circumstances change, whether the modification is an increase in child support or a decrease in child support.

With the current composition of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the October 6 argument should be lively and interesting. Oral arguments in the Wisconsin Supreme Court are open to the public. Come hear a thought-provoking argument and, whatever your opinion, demonstrate by your presence that the public cares about this issue.

IMPACT OF 2011 WISCONSIN ACT 10 ON FAMILY LAW CASES IN WISCONSIN

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:55:47 -0600

Much confusion has surrounded the recent enactment of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, the so-called "budget repair bill" here in Wisconsin. This has proved problematic for public employees and family law attorneys alike in planning budgets looking into the future.

Until Thursday, March 31, this writer had been preparing budgets for state employees as if the Act were in effect and preparing budgets for other public employees, such as local, municipal, and school district employees, without taking the Act into account. This was due to the fact that the state government had taken the position that the Act was in effect as of March 26, while most other public entities had taken the opposite approach.

With Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi's March 31 ruling that the Act is not in effect, we are now safe, at least for the foreseeable future, in preparing our divorce clients' budgets without factoring in the impact of the Act and will continue to do so until further judicial ruling.

DIVORCE OR LEGAL SEPARATION?

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:25:41 -0600

Attorneys are often asked to explain the difference between divorce and legal separation. From the client's perspective, the only substantial difference will likely be that a divorce will terminate the marital relation, that is, after a divorce the parties are no longer married. However, after a legal separation the parties remain married. In either action, the court will enter a judgment with provisions for legal custody and physical placement of minor children, child support, maintenance, and property division.

In our experience, most parties choose to pursue divorce rather than legal separation. Furthermore, if one party asks for a legal separation and the other asks for a divorce, the court will generally grant the judgment of divorce. The reasons why a party will choose to pursue a legal separation are varied. Some health insurance policies still allow a spouse to remain on his or her spouse's policy if the parties are legally separated rather than divorced. This often proves to be a compelling reason to pursue a legal separation rather than a divorce. Others believe that there may be a reasonable likelihood for a reconciliation and opt for a legal separation rather than a divorce. Still others pursue a legal separation for religious reasons.

Once a judgment of legal separation has been entered it can be converted to a judgment of divorce. During the first year following entry, a judgment of legal separation may be converted to a judgment of divorce by stipulation of the parties. Once the parties so stipulate the court has no discretion but to convert the judgment of legal separation to a judgment of divorce. Once a year has passed since entry of the judgment of legal separation, either party acting alone may petition the court to convert the judgment of legal separation to a judgment of divorce and, again, the court has no discretion but to convert the judgment.

Parties who separate and are truly undecided as to whether a divorce is appropriate under the circumstances may be well advised to obtain a judgment of legal separation. In this way, they can obtain a set of rules that are enforceable by the court that will provide some certainty and order in areas relating to the custody and physical placement of their children, as well as their financial affairs.

CHILD SUPPORT ISSUE HEADED TO WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:01:30 -0600

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals recently certified a child support issue to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in an appeal pursued by Wessel, Lehker & Fumelle.

One glaring disparity in Wisconsin law is its treatment of child support agreements. Parents are free to agree to a minimum amount of child support, but agreements to a maximum amount of child support are unenforceable because they violate public policy. The reasoning goes something like this: It's good for children to share in their parents' increased earnings, and good for children to have a minimum amount of child support despite a parent's decreased earnings.

This analysis may have been defensible back in the days when kids spent most of their time in one home - usually mom's - and had brief visits in the other home. Now that physical placement (sometimes called custody) is usually shared, it makes no sense to allow child support to increase as the payer's income increases, but not allow child support to decrease as the payer's income decreases.

Wessel, Lehker & Fumelle raised this issue in a case argued at the trial court by Attorney Keith Wessel and briefed on appeal by Attorneys Kris Lehker and Keith Wessel. We argued that a child support payer who suffered an involuntary income decrease should be allowed to seek a corresponding child support modification despite a prior agreement.

On January 6, 2011, the Court of Appeals certified the case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This means that the Court of Appeals declined to decide the case, and instead asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to make the decision. While the Supreme Court has not yet indicated that it will take this case, it does accept most of the cases it receives by certification. In its certification in this case, the Court of Appeals stated, "The issue we certify is whether, or under what circumstances, stipulations imposing a 'floor' [on child support] are unenforceable because they are against public policy."

Stay tuned.

Wisconsin Child Support and Termination of Parental Rights

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:06:44 -0600

A Michigan child support case has made headlines across the nation recently. Just last month the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in Department of Human Services v. Lawrence Michael Beck that even though the father's parental rights had been terminated, his obligation to pay child support could continue. The court based its decision largely on the Michigan legislature's "clear distinction between parental rights and the parental obligation to support a minor child."

In Wisconsin, the legislature has done just the opposite. The Wisconsin Children's Code provides, "An order terminating parental rights permanently severs all legal rights and duties between the parent whose parental rights are terminated and the child. . . ." Wisconsin Statutes Section 48.43(2). Thus in Wisconsin, termination of parental rights ends all legal rights, including the parent's right to spend time with the child, and all legal obligations, including the parent's obligation to provide financial support.

WISCONSIN CHILD CUSTODY, PHYSICAL PLACEMENT, VISITATION: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:38:14 -0600

People often use the terms physical placement, visitation rights, and child custody interchangeably in the context of divorce, legal separation, paternity, and related matters. Under Wisconsin law, however, each of these terms has a distinct, specific meaning.

Parents frequently use the term child custody to describe how a child's time is divided between the parents, or which parent the child will live with for the majority of the time. The law, however, gives this term a different and very specific meaning. Legal custody is the right to make certain important decisions for a child. The Wisconsin Family Code defines "legal custody" as "the right and responsibility to make major decisions concerning the child," and defines "major decisions" as including "consent to marry, consent to enter military service, consent to obtain a motor vehicle operator's license, authorization for non-emergency health care, and choice of school and religion." Thus custody has nothing to do with where the child lives or spends time.

Often the most important issue for separating parents is where the children will spend their time. Wisconsin law calls this physical placement. If your court order allows you to have your children with you every Tuesday and every other weekend, for example, then those are your periods of physical placement with your children. If you have physical placement periods, then you also have the right to make routine, day-to-day decisions concerning your children during those placement periods. The right to make major decisions, however, is the separate issue of legal custody, as described above.

Finally, the term visitation also has a specific and narrow definition. Sometimes, under limited circumstances, a non-parent - usually a relative or a step-parent - is given the right to spend time with a child. Wisconsin law calls this visitation rights.

Wisconsin Property Division: What About Property Brought to the Marriage?

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:33:15 -0600

A common mis-perception about Wisconsin divorce law is the belief that the property, cash, and debts you owned before your marriage remain your separate property when you divorce, or are automatically awarded to you in the divorce. In fact, the property division section of the Wisconsin divorce laws, Wisconsin Statutes Section 767.61, states that all property acquired by either spouse before or during the marriage goes into the pot to be divided between the parties, either by the judge or by the parties' agreement, at their divorce.

The statute does provide for two exceptions to this rule. (1) Any gifts of property or money you received either before or during your marriage remain your separate property, not subject to division in the divorce. This gift exception does not apply, however, to gifts you received from your spouse, which are included as property to be divided at divorce. (2) Any funds or property you received "by reason of the death of another" person remains your separate property, not subject to division in the divorce. This exception includes life insurance proceeds, inheritances, retirement benefits, etc. Under a "hardship" provision of the Wisconsin divorce laws, if the court finds that allowing you to keep your gifts and inheritances will create a hardship for your spouse or your children, the court will include your gifts and inheritances as property subject to division.

While these provisions are relatively straightforward, complications can arise. What if you inherited property, but then converted it to stocks held in your name alone? What if you received a gift of cash, and then used it as a down-payment on a home jointly titled with your spouse? What if your spouse inherited a cottage, and then you contributed materials and labor to fix it up? What constitutes a "hardship?" These sorts of issues have few clear-cut answers and often lead to litigation.

Generally, then, the property, cash, and debts you brought to your marriage will be divided between you and your spouse at divorce. The court can, however, consider the fact that you brought property (or debts) to the marriage as it determines how much property, and what specific property, each spouse should receive at the time of divorce. The court can also consider gifts and inheritances in making this decision. These related issues will be addressed in a future post to this blog.

Considering the Wishes of A Child in Physical Placement Disputes in Wisconsin

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:09:11 -0600

Perhaps the most common question I have been asked as a Wisconsin family law attorney is "at what age may a child decide with whom he or she will reside." My answer has always been the same: One may choose where and with whom he or she will live at age 18.

There seems to be a strong rumor running through the public that at a certain age, most commonly alleged to be 14 years, a child may actually decide which parent he wants to reside with. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. When parents dispute the physical placement of a child, ultimately the court may be called upon to decide where and with whom that child will live and what periods of placement the child will spend with the other parent. The court does not make this decision in a vacuum. Rather, Sec. 767.41, Wis. Stats., governs decisions concerning custody and physical placement of children. Specifically, Sec. 767.41(5) requires the court to consider "all facts relevant to the best interests of the child." Moreover, that statute requires the court to consider a list of specific factors stated in Sec. 767.41(5).

Among the specific factors the court must consider is "the wishes of the child." However, this factor is not given any greater weight than the other factors; nor is it the controlling factor. In reality, it is one among 16 factors that the court must consider.

In practice we find that the wishes of the child are not seriously considered when the child is of a tender age. Furthermore, as important, if not more important than the age of the child, is the maturity level of a child. A 14 year old child may have reached a greater maturity level than a 16 year old child in some instances. Furthermore, the court will consider the circumstances and the reasons that a child may prefer to live with one parent over the other. It is not uncommon for a child to prefer to reside with a parent who practices a more relaxed disciplinary routine than the parent who insists upon a stricter regimen. Also, we find many cases where a child will prefer to live with the parent who has the X-Box, wide screen TV, and all the other "bells and whistles" that the other parent does not have. As one can see, it is both simplistic and inaccurate to state that a child may simply choose which parent he or she will live with.

Child Custody in Wisconsin During the Holidays

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:29:10 -0600

Wisconsin Family law attorneys often see a spike in business in November and December as parents confront problems during the holidays. Shared placement, holiday travel, increased child care expenses, traditions with extended family - many issues can arise at this emotionally charged time of year. The holidays are right around the corner; make sure now, before problems arise, that your legal documents are in order and you are fully prepared for shared parenting during the holidays.

Many of the problems that arise this time of year can be anticipated and prevented. Closely read what your legal documents have to say about the holidays; parents often don't have a clear recollection of these provisions. If your legal documents are not completely clear regarding child placement arrangements during the holidays - or if you have no legal documents - start the discussions with your parenting partner well in advance of the holidays. Expect that both parents will need to compromise. If your holiday plans include travel, provide your parenting partner with a detailed itinerary. For steps to minimize conflict and set a positive example for your children during the holidays, see New York University Child Study Center's article, "Divorce and the Holidays: Split Decison or Family Friendly Compromise?" Psychology Today's "Managing Divorce and Children During the Holidays" offers holiday suggestions in the broader context of the co-parenting relationship. If you are worried about whether the holidays will run smoothly, this is a good time to schedule an appointment with your family law attorney.

If holidays frequently present problems in your family and you find yourself paying an annual December visit to a Wisconsin circuit court, you and your parenting partner may want to consider using a Parenting Coordinator. A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral "on-call" decision-maker who can help parents evaluate options and work on conflict resolution, and if necessary can make decisions for the parents. You can find more information on Parenting Coordinators at Wessel, Lehker & Fumelle.