Wisconsin Child Custody and Alcoholic Parents
Wisconsin courts have several options for custody arrangements, including traditional custody, in which one parent has primary custody and the other exercises frequent visitation; shared custody, in which the child lives with each parent for half the year; and split custody, in which each parent takes custody of one child.
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Best Interests of the Child
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A court considers many factors when deciding which parent is best suited to serve as a child's primary caretaker. A custody arrangement should always be in the best interests of the child. The child's preference is an important factor, as is each parent's relationship with the child. In addition, a court will investigate any allegations of alcohol and drug abuse. If a parent is an alcoholic, he may jeopardize his opportunity to gain custody.
Modifying Custody
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Insuring stability in the child's life is always the court's goal. Because of that, custody is not easily modified. However, if the child's welfare is at risk, the court will change custody. For example, if a custodial parent later develops an alcohol addiction, the other parent can seek modification immediately if the child's emotional or physical health is at risk.
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Third Party Custody
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If the court is concerned that both parents are alcoholics, the child may be placed with a third party, sometimes another relative. Third party custody is rare because courts do not like to remove a child from parental care, but if the parents' alcoholism renders them unable to provide adequate care, third party custody is considered to be in the child's best interests.
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References
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