If you’re going through a divorce or custody case in Wisconsin, one of the biggest questions is how much time your child will spend with each parent. That’s where our Parenting & Custody Calculator comes in.
This tool helps you estimate the number of overnights each parent has in a year and gives you a percentage breakdown. In Wisconsin, courts use the number of overnights to help determine physical placement. This can affect not only your parenting plan but also child support and decision-making.
Parent A Overnights per Year
This is the total number of nights in a year the child spends overnight with Parent A. Most people use the calendar to track school nights, weekends, holidays, and vacation weeks. A typical 50/50 split would be about 182–183 nights each.
Parent B Overnights per Year
This field is optional. If you know how many nights the child spends with Parent A, the calculator will figure out the rest by subtracting from 365. But if you have both numbers, you can enter them for comparison.
Why Overnights Matter
In Wisconsin, the number of overnights helps determine whether parents have shared placement or if one parent has primary placement. Shared placement usually means each parent has the child at least 25% of the time. If one parent has more than 75% of the overnights, that’s considered primary placement.
Courts prefer both parents to stay involved in a child’s life whenever possible. The placement arrangement is based on what’s in the child’s best interest, not just convenience. Judges will look at factors like the child’s school, the distance between parents’ homes, and each parent’s availability and involvement.
After you enter the number of overnights, the calculator gives you a breakdown of:
This isn’t a final decision. It’s a tool to help you understand how your proposed parenting schedule may be viewed. It’s useful when planning a parenting plan, preparing for mediation, or talking to your attorney.
It's important to know the difference:
This calculator focuses on physical placement, which is often the more day-to-day concern for parents. Legal custody is decided separately but can also be shared.
The calculator is a great starting point, but every family is different. If you're trying to figure out what schedule is best for your child, or you're not sure how this could affect your child support, we can help. Our Wisconsin family law attorneys will work with you to build a plan that puts your child first and protects your rights as a parent.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
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