A parenting plan or custody agreement is a document that addresses how the parents of minor children will share responsibility for the custody, support, and management of the children. Some states have a standard possession order (SPO) that addresses many of these issues. Courts often require each party to a divorce or child custody proceeding to submit a proposed parenting plan.
In Wisconsin, a parenting plan is a written document that outlines how parents will raise their child after separation or divorce. This plan is required in any court action affecting the family, such as divorce or paternity cases, where legal custody or physical placement is contested. Wisconsin statutes require that the parenting plan address issues such as decision-making authority (legal custody), the time the child will spend with each parent (physical placement), child support, and how the parents will communicate and make decisions about the child's welfare. If the parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, the court may establish one for them. The court's primary consideration is always the best interest of the child. Wisconsin does not use the term 'standard possession order' (SPO), which is more commonly used in Texas and some other states. Instead, Wisconsin courts focus on creating a customized plan that suits the specific needs of the child and the family's circumstances.