767.325 Note
NOTE: 1987 Wis. Act 355, which created this section, contains explanatory notes.
767.325 Annotation
Sub. (1) (a) prohibits change of custody solely to correct mother's unreasonable interference with physical placement of the child with the father. Sub. (1) (a) provides a two year truce period, judicial intervention during this period must be compelling. Paternity of Stephanie R.N. 174 W (2d) 745, 488 NW (2d) 235 (1993).
767.325 Annotation
Section 767.325 does not limit a court's authority to hold a hearing or enter an order during the two year "truce period" with the order effective on the conclusion of the truce period. Paternity of Bradford J.B., 181 W (2d) 304, 510 NW (2d) 775 (Ct. App. 1993).
767.325 Annotation
There is no authority to order a change of custody at an unknown time in the future upon the occurrence of some stated contingency. Koeller v. Koeller, 195 W (2d) 660, 536 NW (2d) 216 (Ct. App. 1995).
767.325 Annotation
Sub. (1) (b) is inapplicable in guardianship litigation between a parent and a third party guardian. Howard M. v. Jean R. 196 W (2d) 16, 539 NW (2d) 104 (Ct. App. 1995).
767.327
767.327
Moving the child's residence within or outside the state. 767.327(1)(a)(a) If the court grants periods of physical placement to more than one parent, it shall order a parent with legal custody of and physical placement rights to a child to provide not less than 60 days written notice to the other parent, with a copy to the court, of his or her intent to:
767.327(1)(a)1.
1. Establish his or her legal residence with the child at any location outside the state.
767.327(1)(a)2.
2. Establish his or her legal residence with the child at any location within this state that is at a distance of 150 miles or more from the other parent.
767.327(1)(a)3.
3. Remove the child from this state for more than 90 consecutive days.
767.327(1)(b)
(b) The parent shall send the notice under
par. (a) by certified mail. The notice shall state the parent's proposed action, including the specific date and location of the move or specific beginning and ending dates and location of the removal, and that the other parent may object within the time specified in
sub. (2) (a).
767.327(2)(a)(a) Within 15 days after receiving the notice under
sub. (1), the other parent may send to the parent proposing the move or removal, with a copy to the court, a written notice of objection to the proposed action.
767.327(2)(b)
(b) If the parent who is proposing the move or removal receives a notice of objection under
par. (a) within 20 days after sending a notice under
sub. (1) (a), the parent may not move with or remove the child pending resolution of the dispute, or final order of the court under
sub. (3), unless the parent obtains a temporary order to do so under
s. 767.23 (1) (bm).
767.327(2)(c)
(c) Upon receipt of a copy of a notice of objection under
par. (a), the court or family court commissioner shall promptly refer the parents for mediation or other family court counseling services under
s. 767.11 and may appoint a guardian ad litem. Unless the parents agree to extend the time period, if mediation or counseling services do not resolve the dispute within 30 days after referral, the matter shall proceed under
subs. (3) to
(5).
767.327(3)
(3) Standards for modification or prohibition if move or removal contested. 767.327(3)(a)1.1. Except as provided under
par. (b), if the parent proposing the move or removal has sole legal or joint legal custody of the child and the child resides with that parent for the greater period of time, the parent objecting to the move or removal may file a petition, motion or order to show cause for modification of the legal custody or physical placement order affecting the child. The court may modify the legal custody or physical placement order if, after considering the factors under
sub. (5), the court finds all of the following:
767.327(3)(a)1.b.
b. The move or removal will result in a substantial change of circumstances since the entry of the last order affecting legal custody or the last order substantially affecting physical placement.
767.327(3)(a)2.a.
a. There is a rebuttable presumption that continuing the current allocation of decision making under a legal custody order or continuing the child's physical placement with the parent with whom the child resides for the greater period of time is in the best interest of the child. This presumption may be overcome by a showing that the move or removal is unreasonable and not in the best interest of the child.
767.327(3)(a)2.b.
b. A change in the economic circumstances or marital status of either party is not sufficient to meet the standards for modification under that subdivision.
767.327(3)(a)3.
3. Under this paragraph, the burden of proof is on the parent objecting to the move or removal.
767.327(3)(b)1.1. If the parents have joint legal custody and substantially equal periods of physical placement with the child, either parent may file a petition, motion or order to show cause for modification of the legal custody or physical placement order. The court may modify an order of legal custody or physical placement if, after considering the factors under
sub. (5), the court finds all of the following:
767.327(3)(b)1.a.
a. Circumstances make it impractical for the parties to continue to have substantially equal periods of physical placement.
767.327(3)(b)2.
2. Under this paragraph, the burden of proof is on the parent filing the petition, motion or order to show cause.
767.327(3)(c)1.1. If the parent proposing the move or removal has sole legal or joint legal custody of the child and the child resides with that parent for the greater period of time or the parents have substantially equal periods of physical placement with the child, as an alternative to the petition, motion or order to show cause under
par. (a) or
(b), the parent objecting to the move or removal may file a petition, motion or order to show cause for an order prohibiting the move or removal. The court may prohibit the move or removal if, after considering the factors under
sub. (5), the court finds that the prohibition is in the best interest of the child.
767.327(3)(c)2.
2. Under this paragraph, the burden of proof is on the parent objecting to the move or removal.
767.327(4)
(4) Guardian ad litem; prompt hearing. After a petition, motion or order to show cause is filed under
sub. (3), the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem and hold a hearing as soon as possible.
767.327(5)
(5) Factors in court's determination. In making its determination under
sub. (3), the court shall consider all of the following factors:
767.327(5)(a)
(a) Whether the purpose of the proposed action is reasonable.
767.327(5)(b)
(b) The nature and extent of the child's relationship with the other parent and the disruption to that relationship which the proposed action may cause.
767.327(5)(c)
(c) The availability of alternative arrangements to foster and continue the child's relationship with and access to the other parent.
767.327(6)
(6) Notice required for other removals. 767.327(6)(a)(a) Unless the parents agree otherwise, a parent with legal custody and physical placement rights shall notify the other parent before removing the child from his or her primary residence for a period of not less than 14 days.
767.327(6)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding
par. (a), if notice is required under
sub. (1), a parent shall comply with
sub. (1).
767.327(7)
(7) Applicability. Notwithstanding
1987 Wisconsin Act 355, section 73, as affected by
1987 Wisconsin Act 364, the parties may agree to the adjudication of a modification of a legal custody or physical placement order under this section in an action affecting the family that is pending on May 3, 1988.
767.327 Annotation
Discussion of application of (5) factors to determination of best interests of child. In re Marriage of Kerkvliet v. Kerkvliet, 166 W (2d) 930, 480 NW (2d) 823 (Ct. App. 1992).
767.327 Annotation
Wisconsin's Child Removal Law. Wis. Law. June 1993.
767.329
767.329
Revisions agreed to by stipulation. If after an initial order is entered under
s. 767.24, the parties agree to a modification in an order of physical placement or legal custody and file a stipulation with the court that specifies the agreed upon modification, the court shall incorporate the terms of the stipulation into a revised order of physical placement or legal custody.
767.329 History
History: 1987 a. 355.
767.329 Annotation
Acceptance of stipulation is not mandatory; trial court is not prohibited from examining best interests of the child. In re Paternity of S.A. 165 W (2d) 530, 478 NW (2d) 21 (Ct. App. 1991).
767.33
767.33
Annual adjustments in child support order. 767.33(1)(1) An order for child support under
s. 767.23 or
767.25 may provide for an adjustment in the amount to be paid based on a change in the obligor's income, as reported on the disclosure form under
s. 767.27 (2m) or as disclosed to the department or county child and spousal support agency under
s. 49.22 (2m). The order may specify the date on which the annual adjustment becomes effective. No adjustment may be made unless the order so provides and the party receiving payments applies for an adjustment as provided in
sub. (2). An adjustment under this section may be made only once in any year.
767.33(1m)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), this section applies only to an order under
s. 767.23 or
767.25 in which payment is expressed as a fixed sum. It does not apply to such an order in which payment is expressed as a percentage of parental income.
767.33(1m)(b)
(b) If payment is expressed in an order under
s. 767.23 or
767.25 in the alternative as the greater or lesser of either a percentage of parental income or a fixed sum, this section applies only to the fixed sum alternative under the order.
767.33(2)
(2) An adjustment under
sub. (1) may be made only if the party receiving payments applies to the family court commissioner for the adjustment. If the order specifies the date on which the annual adjustment becomes effective, the application to the family court commissioner must be made at least 20 days before the effective date of the adjustment. The family court commissioner, upon application by the party receiving payments, shall send a notice by certified mail to the last-known address of the obligor. The notice shall be postmarked no later than 10 days after the date on which the application was filed and shall inform the obligor that an adjustment in payments will become effective on the date specified in the order or, if no date is specified in the order, 10 days after the date on which the notice is sent. The obligor may, after receipt of notice and before the effective date of the adjustment, request a hearing on the issue of whether the adjustment should take effect, in which case the adjustment shall be held in abeyance pending the outcome of the hearing. The family court commissioner shall hold a hearing requested under this subsection within 10 working days after the request. If at the hearing the obligor establishes that extraordinary circumstances beyond his or her control prevent fulfillment of the adjusted child support obligation, the family court commissioner may direct that all or part of the adjustment not take effect until the obligor is able to fulfill the adjusted obligation. If at the hearing the obligor does not establish that extraordinary circumstances beyond his or her control prevent fulfillment of the adjusted obligation, the adjustment shall take effect as of the date it would have become effective had no hearing been requested. Either party may, within 15 working days of the date of the decision by the family court commissioner under this subsection, seek review of the decision by the court with jurisdiction over the action.
767.37
767.37
Effect of judgment. 767.37(1)(a)(a) In any action affecting the family, if the court orders maintenance payments or other allowances for a party or children or retains jurisdiction in such matters, the written judgment shall include a provision that disobedience of the court order with respect to the same is punishable under
ch. 785 by commitment to the county jail or house of correction until such judgment is complied with and the costs and expenses of the proceedings are paid or until the party committed is otherwise discharged, according to law. The findings of fact and conclusions of law and the written judgment shall be drafted by the attorney for the moving party, and shall be submitted to the court and filed with the clerk of the court within 30 days after judgment is granted; but if the respondent has been represented by counsel, the findings, conclusions and judgment shall first be submitted to respondent's counsel for approval and if the family court commissioner has appeared at the trial of the action, such papers shall also be sent to the family court commissioner for approval. After any necessary approvals are obtained, the findings of fact, conclusions of law and judgment shall be submitted to the court. Final stipulations of the parties may be appended to the judgment and incorporated by reference therein.
767.37(1)(c)
(c) At the time of filing any judgment for an annulment, divorce or legal separation, the attorney for the moving party shall present to the clerk of court 2 true copies thereof in addition to the original judgment, and until such copies are presented the clerk may refuse to accept such judgment for filing. After the judgment is filed, the clerk shall mail a copy forthwith to each party to the action at the last-known address, and the court record shall show such mailing.
767.37(2)
(2) So far as a judgment of divorce affects the marital status of the parties the court has the power to vacate or modify the judgment for sufficient cause shown, upon its own motion, or upon the application of both parties to the action, at any time within 6 months from the granting of such judgment. No such judgment shall be vacated or modified without service of notice of motion on the family court commissioner. The court may direct the family court commissioner or appoint some other attorney, to bring appropriate proceedings for the vacation of the judgment. The compensation of the family court commissioner when not on a salaried basis or other attorney for performing such services shall be at the rate of $50 per day, which shall be paid out of the county treasury upon order of the presiding judge and the certificate of the clerk of the court. If the judgment is vacated it shall restore the parties to the marital relation that existed before the granting of such judgment. If after vacation of the judgment either of the parties brings an action in this state for divorce against the other the court may order the petitioner in such action to reimburse the county the amount paid by it to the family court commissioner or other attorney in connection with such vacation proceedings. Whenever a judgment of divorce is set aside under this subsection, the court shall order the record in the action impounded without regard to
s. 767.19; and thereafter neither the record nor any part of the record shall be offered or admitted into evidence in any action or proceeding except by special order of the court of jurisdiction upon good cause shown in any paternity proceedings under this chapter or by special order of any court of record upon a showing of necessity to clear title to real estate.
767.37(3)
(3) When a judgment of divorce is granted it shall be effective immediately except as provided in
s. 765.03 (2). Every judge who grants a judgment of divorce shall inform the parties appearing in court that the judgment is effective immediately except as provided in
s. 765.03 (2).
767.37 Annotation
Sub. (2) does not authorize vacating or modifying a judgment as to paternity of children determined in the original judgment. E.... v. E...., 57 W (2d) 436, 204 NW (2d) 503.
767.37 Annotation
Sub. (2) provides no authority for reopening divorce judgment as it relates to property division. Conrad v. Conrad, 92 W (2d) 407, 284 NW (2d) 674 (1979).
767.37 Annotation
Death of party within 6 months of divorce judgment did not void judgment or divest court of jurisdiction to order property division. In re Marriage of Roeder v. Roeder, 103 W (2d) 411, 308 NW (2d) 904 (Ct. App. 1981).
767.38
767.38
Judgment revoked on remarriage. When a judgment of divorce has been granted and the parties shall afterwards intermarry, the court, upon their joint application and upon satisfactory proof of such marriage, shall revoke all judgments and any orders which will not affect the right of 3rd persons and order the record impounded without regard to
s. 767.19 and neither the record nor any part of the record shall be offered or admitted into evidence in any action or proceeding except by special order of the court of jurisdiction upon good cause shown in any paternity proceedings under this chapter or by special order of any court of record upon a showing of necessity to clear title to real estate.
767.38 History
History: 1977 c. 105;
1979 c. 32 ss.
50,
92 (4);
1979 c. 352; Stats. 1979 s. 767.38.
767.39
767.39
Maintenance payments or other allowances pending appeal. 767.39(1)(1) In actions affecting the family pending in an appellate court, no allowance for suit money, counsel fees or disbursements in the court, nor for temporary maintenance payments to the spouse or the children during the pendency of the appeal will be made in the court.
767.39(2)
(2) Allowances specified in
sub. (1), if made at all, shall be made by the proper trial court upon motion made and decided after the entry of the order or judgment appealed from and prior to the return of the record to an appellate court, provided, that if the allowance is ordered before the appeal is taken the order shall be conditioned upon the taking of the appeal and shall be without effect unless and until the record is transmitted to the court of appeals.
767.39 History
History: 1975 c. 94;
1977 c. 105;
1977 c. 187 s.
89;
1979 c. 32 s.
50;
1979 c. 352 s.
39; Stats. 1979 s. 767.39; Sup. Ct. Order, 146 W (2d) xiii (1988).
767.40
767.40
Contempt proceedings. All contempt orders in which confinement is imposed shall be issued by a judge.
767.40 History
History: 1977 c. 323;
1979 c. 32 s.
50; Stats. 1979 s. 767.40.
767.42
767.42
Abandonment; seizure of property. 767.42(1)
(1) If a person absconds or is about to abscond from his or her children or spouse, or is about to remove permanently from the municipality in which he or she resides leaving a spouse or children, or both, chargeable or likely to become chargeable upon the public for support or neglects or refuses to support or provide for the spouse or children, the county where the spouse or children may be, by the official or agency designated to administer public assistance, may apply to the circuit court for any county in which any real or personal property of the parent or spouse is situated for a warrant to seize the property.
767.42(2)
(2) Upon due proof of the facts the court shall issue a warrant authorizing the county to seize the property of that person wherever found in the county; and they shall, respectively, be vested with all the rights and title, as limited in this section, to that property which the person had at the time of his or her departure. They shall immediately make an inventory of the property and return it with the warrant and their proceedings thereon to the circuit court. All sales and transfers of any real or personal property left in that county made by the person after the issuing of the warrant is void.
767.42(3)
(3) Upon the return the circuit court may inquire into the facts and circumstances and may confirm the seizure or discharge the same. If the seizure is confirmed, the court shall from time to time direct what part of the personal property shall be sold and how much of the proceeds of the sales and the rents and profits of the real estate shall be applied toward the maintenance of the spouse or children of the person. All such sales shall be at public auction in accordance with the laws relating to execution sales of personalty and realty as provided in
ss. 815.29 and
815.31.
767.42(4)
(4) The county shall receive the proceeds of all property so sold and the rents and profits of the real estate of such person and apply the same to the maintenance and support of the spouse or children of such person; and it shall account to the court for the moneys so received and for the application thereof from time to time.
767.42(5)
(5) If the person whose property has been seized under this section returns and supports the abandoned spouse or children or gives security to the county, with its approval, that the spouse or children shall not thereafter be chargeable to the county, the court shall discharge the warrant and order the restoration of the property seized and remaining unappropriated, or the unappropriated proceeds, after deducting the expenses of the proceedings.
767.42 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 773 (1975);
1977 c. 449;
1979 c. 352;
1985 a. 29 ss.
1115,
3200 (23);
1985 a. 332.
767.45
767.45
Determination of paternity. 767.45(1)
(1) The following persons may bring an action or motion, including an action or motion for declaratory judgment, for the purpose of determining the paternity of a child or for the purpose of rebutting the presumption of paternity under
s. 891.405 or
891.41:
767.45(1)(d)
(d) A man alleged or alleging himself to be the father of the child.
767.45(1)(e)
(e) The personal representative of a person specified under
pars. (a) to
(d) if that person has died.
767.45(1)(f)
(f) The legal or physical custodian of the child.
