Fathers winning shared placement
Of WI divorces involve children
Equal placement is the goal
Verified statistics from Wisconsin Court System reports showing the trend toward equal placement -- and what it means for dads fighting for their kids.
Placement outcomes for Wisconsin fathers, 2024 estimates
Source: Wisconsin Court System Annual Report
Wis. Stat. \u00A7 767.511 — percentage of gross income
Source: Wisconsin Statutes § 767.511
Shared placement is rising -- more dads are winning equal time with their kids
Source: Wisconsin Court System data, authors' estimates
Fathers Winning Shared Time
of WI cases now result in shared/equal placement — up from 32% in 2018
Source: Wisconsin Court System
Average Fight Length
average time from filing to final judgment — be prepared for the long haul
Source: Wisconsin Court System
Father Primary Placement
of cases result in father-primary placement — but the number is growing
Source: Wisconsin Court System Annual Report
Your rights under Chapter 767, Wisconsin Statutes
Courts PRESUME joint legal custody. Fathers have equal standing. The child's best interest is the standard — not the mother's preference.
17% for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3. Shared placement (25%+ time) triggers a different, often lower calculation for dads.
Spousal support is NOT automatic. Factors include marriage length, earning capacity, and each party's financial situation.
Wisconsin presumes 50/50 division. Fathers should know: your contributions (financial AND domestic) count equally.
Verified legal resources, advocacy organizations, and support services to help Wisconsin dads protect their rights and stay in their children's lives.
12
Verified Resources
5
Resource Categories
100%
Free to Access
Official Wisconsin courts website with custody forms, filing instructions, and family court procedures.
wicourts.gov
Download official Wisconsin divorce, custody, placement, and child support forms.
wicourts.gov
Search Wisconsin public court records and monitor family court case activity.
wcca.wicourts.gov
Advocacy, education, and support for Wisconsin fathers navigating custody and placement disputes.
wisconsinfathers.org
Find qualified Wisconsin family law attorneys and fathers' rights advocates.
Official Wisconsin child support information, calculators, payment systems, and modification forms.
Access payment history, balances, and child support account tools online.
Free guidance for filing motions, responding to custody actions, and navigating family court.
wicourts.gov
Free or low-cost legal assistance for fathers who cannot afford private representation.
legalaidmke.org
Volunteer attorney services for qualifying fathers in custody and placement cases.
wisbar.org
State-funded programs supporting father involvement, parenting skills, and family stability.
dcf.wisconsin.gov
National advocacy group promoting shared parenting and fathers' rights legislation in Wisconsin.
nationalparentsorganization.org
All resources are publicly available. Links open official government and organization websites. If a link is broken, please contact us.
Real stories from Wisconsin dads who stood up for their rights in family court.
“I was terrified going in. Everyone told me dads don't win custody in Milwaukee. But my attorney laid it out: Wisconsin law (§ 767.41) presumes joint legal custody. I documented everything — every school pickup, every bedtime, every soccer game I coached. After mediation, I walked out with 50/50 placement. Dads CAN win. You just need to prepare.”
Outcome:
Won equal 50/50 shared placement
Real reviews from dads who fought for custody and won. Find an attorney who has a track record with fathers in your Wisconsin county.
Attorney
Karp & Iancu, S.C.
Larry Karp has decades of Wisconsin family law experience handling divorce, custody disputes, placement litigation, and complex family court matters in Dane County. Clients frequently mention strategic guidance and responsiveness during difficult cases.
Why fathers call
Attorney
Henry Family Law Offices
Nathan Henry focuses exclusively on Wisconsin family law matters, including divorce, placement disputes, custody litigation, and paternity actions. Reviews often highlight organization, communication, and practical legal guidance.
Why fathers call
Attorney
Divergent Family Law
Erin Ronneberg and the Divergent Family Law team are known throughout Madison for client communication, emotionally intelligent representation, and handling complex family law disputes.
Why fathers call
Senior Litigation Attorney
Cordell & Cordell
William Maasen represents clients in divorce and custody disputes through the Madison office of Cordell & Cordell, a nationally recognized family law firm focused heavily on representing men and fathers.
Why fathers call
Attorney
Kowalski, Wilson & Vang, LLC
David Kowalski handles Wisconsin family law cases including divorce, custody, child support, and property division matters in Dane County.
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.
Why fathers call
Attorney
Schuster Family Law, LLC
Melissa Schuster is known for collaborative divorce representation, mediation-oriented family law solutions, and practical parenting plan negotiations.
Why fathers call
Attorney
Your Family Law Center, S.C.
Marilyn Townsend has longstanding experience in Wisconsin family law, including divorce, mediation, placement disputes, and paternity matters.
Why fathers call
Family Law Attorney
Sterling Lawyers, LLC
Ellen Rhodeman is a family law attorney at Sterling Lawyers' Milwaukee office, one of Wisconsin's largest family law firms. Sterling Lawyers operates on a fixed-fee billing model and exclusively practices family law statewide.
Partner
Nelson, Krueger & Millenbach, LLC
Alison H. Krueger is a Partner at Nelson, Krueger & Millenbach, a boutique family law firm serving southeast Wisconsin including Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.
Whether you're just starting to consider divorce or already fighting in court, every day you wait is a day you could lose. Arm yourself with knowledge and the right team.
Your kids need their dad — fight for them
Learn the statutes judges use to decide custody
Attorneys rated by other dads who fought and won
Instant answers about your rights as a Wisconsin father
When the fight gets overwhelming — help is available
Wisconsin law presumes joint custody. The courts are changing. Get the right attorney, know your rights, and fight for the time your kids deserve with you.