Eau Claire Child Custody & Support Attorneys

Comprehensive Family Law Representation

Child support is often a contentious issue during a divorce, separation, or child custody process. Otto & Steiner Law, S.C. can advise and represent your interests during child support cases. As a trusted Eau Claire family law firm, our team strives to provide the best possible resolution to every case.

We represent parents that want to ensure they receive the proper amount of support or are unduly burdened by an excessive child support order.

Otto & Steiner Law, S.C. has a reputation for offering sensitive guidance and aggressive legal representation. Call (715) 200-4206 to request your consultation. You can also contact us online.

How to Determine Child Support in Wisconsin

Child support is one of the more misunderstood family law concepts. It is intended to ensure that both parents share financial obligations to the child based on established guidelines.

The final amount of child custody can be higher or lower based on these guidelines. Since every child is different, considerations may be made for each of their needs.

Child support is based upon:

• Income of both parents
• Health care costs
• Childcare costs
• Standard needs of the child
• Custody arrangements

Child support orders can be modified with the help of a family lawyer. Depending on the circumstances and situation of the family, the amount can be modified for a fairer outcome.

Examples of changes that affect child support can include one parent losing a job or a child's unexpected health concern. Whether you are looking for a new support order or a modification to an existing one, trust the dedicated family law attorneys from Otto & Steiner Law, S.C.

What are the different types of child custody in Wisconsin?

Many people think that "child custody" only means one thing: where their children will live. While that is definitely part of the decision, there are actually two areas where decisions need to be made: legal custody and physical placement. When making these decisions, the court will always rule in what it determines is the “best interest of the child.”

Legal Custody:

Legal Custody is the right to make major decisions about the children. There are two types of Legal Custody that can be awarded in the state of Wisconsin:

• Joint Legal Custody: Both parents are able to make major decisions about the child’s education, medical treatments/healthcare, religious upbringing, etc.
• Sole Legal Custody: One parent is responsible for making all educational, medical, and religious decisions for the child.

Sole legal custody is typically the rarest type of child custody granted in Wisconsin; more often, the court will try to find a solution that allows both parents to retain some custody of the child, make decisions about the child’s upbringing, and spend time with the child.

Physical Placement:

Physical placement is where and with whom the children will be living. There are two different types of physical placement that can be awarded in the state of Wisconsin:

• Primary physical placement- the children live with one of the parents the majority of the time
• Shared physical placement- the children spend a substantial amount of time with both parents. This may mean that the parents share equal amounts of time with the children, or not depending on the schedule that works best for you and your children

Contact an Eau Claire Child Custody & Support Lawyer

Otto & Steiner Law, S.C. serves clients throughout including Eau Claire and Western Wisconsin. We have a unique talent for breaking down complex family law concerns into understandable elements. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of every case and helps to put families at ease. Do you need help with a child support concern? Our firm is here for you.

To speak with an Eau Claire child custody and support attorney at Otto & Steiner Law, S.C., contact us at (715) 200-4206 today.