According to Wisconsin laws, you and the other parent should consider the following factors when making decisions regarding the development of your parenting plan:
1. The wishes of the child's parent or parents.
2. The wishes of the child.
3. The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parent or parents, siblings, and any other person who may
significantly affect the child's best interest.
4. The amount and quality of time that each parent has spent with the child in the past.
5. The child's adjustment to the home, school, religion and
community.
6. The age of the child and the child's developmental and educational needs at different ages.
7. Whether the mental or physical health of a party, minor child, or other person living in a proposed custodial household negatively affects the child's intellectual, physical, or emotional
well-being.
8. The need for regularly occurring and meaningful periods
of physical placement to provide predictability and stability for
the child.
9. The availability of public or private child care services.
10. The cooperation and communication between the parties
and whether either party unreasonably refuses to cooperate or
communicate with the other party.
11. Whether each party can support the other party's relationship with the child, including encouraging and facilitating frequent and continuing contact with the child, or whether one party
is likely to unreasonably interfere with the child's continuing relationship
with the other party.
12. Whether there is evidence that a party engaged in abuse.
13. Whether there is evidence of interspousal battery.
14. Whether either party has or had a significant problem with alcohol or drug abuse.
15. The reports of appropriate professionals if admitted into evidence.
The Wisconsin courts realize you and the other parent know your own situation better than anyone else, which is why this is your opportunity to create a parenting plan that will maintain a family structure that is in the best interests of your child(ren).