Custody in Wisconsin: How to Protect Your Rights After Abandonment - #52

You're raising your child alone in Wisconsin after the other parent disappeared—no contact, no support, nothing—and you're wondering if this abandonment gives you legal options for custody or terminating their parental rights. Wisconsin abandonment laws operate differently across family law areas, including termination of parental rights, custody decisions, and divorce proceedings, each requiring different standards of proof and documentation. Sterling Lawyers Lead Attorney and CEO Jeff Hughes reveals how abandonment impacts Wisconsin custody cases and when you can terminate parental rights under Wisconsin Statute § 48.415.In this episode, you'll learn about:Abandonment impact on custody decisions based on months of no contact or parenting involvementTermination of parental rights requirements including six-month absence or 60-day failure to locate childNo-fault divorce implications with abandonment affecting spousal support and property division calculationsDocumentation requirements including missed visits, communication attempts, and proof of abandonment patternsLike-kin caregiver expansion allowing non-blood relatives to qualify for kinship placement and $400 monthly supportListen in to discover how to build a documented abandonment case that protects your custody rights and your child's future when the other parent has walked away from their responsibilities in Wisconsin.