50/50 Custody in Wisconsin

50/50 child custody is when both parents equally share physical custody of their children. There are different versions of joint custody schedules in this situation. A 50/50 joint custody schedule depends on the work of the parents, the relationship they each have with their children and the ages of the children.

Joint Physical Placement

Joint physical custody (also know as 50/50 placement) refers to the lodging care of the child. Sometimes referred to as joint physical care, joint physical custody allows the child to frequently live in the home of each parent. In order for joint physical custody to exist, both parents will need to agree on a placement schedule with the approval of the family courts.

Joint physical custody is extremely popular because it gives the child fairly equal time with each parent.

Although joint physical custody allows both parents to play equal roles in their child’s life, it doesn’t necessarily mean exactly 50/50 placement. The court does not clearly define a required amount of time for each parent to spend, the court looks to maximize time with both parents.

Joint Legal Custody

Joint legal custody is another form of shared parenting, this time with the emphasis being on shared decision making over the child. Examples of decisions parents could make with joint legal custody include religious upbringing, school system, and extracurricular activities they want their child to participate in. In addition to decision-making, it grants each parent the right to access legal and medical records whenever necessary.

All of the rights for joint legal custody fall under “major decisions.” Simple decisions that come up in the child’s day-to-day life can be made without consulting the other parent. These decisions lie in the hands of whichever parent has custody at the time a decision needs to be made.