Services
We know that navigating the court system while also managing new family dynamics can be stressful. Our team in Family Court is here to help make next steps clear and concise while supporting families' decisions to create a path to a 'new normal.' Below are services offered by Family Court
- Resources
- Recursos en Español
- Online Co-Parenting Course
- In-Person Co-Parenting Course
- Creating a Parenting Plan
- Mediation Services
Resources
Recursos en Español
Información en Línea
La siguiente es una clase en línea autorizada para Educación de Padres. "Ayudando familias a criar sus hijos entre dos hogares" con una URL de: makingtwohomeswork.com
Una versión en español de esta clase también está disponible en este sitio.
La única otra clase autorizada en línea es: online.divorce-education.com
Estas son las únicas dos clases en línea autorizadas por Family Court Services. No puede recibir crédito por ninguna otra clase en línea.
Online Co-Parenting Course
Families can also take an online class for co-parenting. The cost is $40 with 30 days to complete.
This course is your first step towards understanding how to develop a child-focused, structured and effective co-parenting relationship. With the use of lecture, handouts and videos you and your co-parent will create a healthy parenting legacy for your children who are living between two homes.
Once you have registered and paid you will have up to 30 days to complete this course. If you do not complete the course within 30 days you will be required to register and pay again.
Register for the Online Co-Parenting Course here.
You will need prior approval to receive credit for any other co-parenting program not listed on this website.
In-Person Co-Parenting Course
This class, conducted by Dodge County Family Court Services, is required for all parents when a new divorce is filed, when parents are living between homes and there is a custody or placement dispute and for parents who have been referred to mediation but have not attended the class within the past five years.
The class covers: meanings of legal terms such as "legal custody" and "physical placement," children's developmental stages, effects of parental conflict on children, understanding your children's feelings and needs, communicating with the other parent, and techniques for co-parenting.
Classes are held the 2nd Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the 3rd Monday night from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each month.
If you were scheduled for the class on a day you can't make, please call Family Court Services at 920-386-3620 to reschedule.
The cost for the in-person class is $20 which can be paid the day of class or ahead of time by going to www.AllPaid.com and use code a002kp ($1.00 service charge) or by calling 1-888-604-7888 and use code a002kp ($3.50 service charge). Or access the on-line co-parenting option with the tab to the left.
You may prepay for the class at www.AllPaid.com and use code a002kp ($1.00 service charge) or call 1-888-604-7888 and use code a002kp ($3.50 service charge). Please notify the Clerk of Courts with any changes in address or phone number to ensure we are able to reach you in the event of a cancellation.
Creating a Parenting Plan
If you and your co-parent are unable to reach an agreement in mediation regarding legal custody and periods of physical placement, the Court may appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) and order a Parenting Plan Evaluation.
In accordance with Wisconsin Act 355, Dodge County Family Court Services will charge for Parenting Plan Evaluations ordered by the Court. The fee for the evaluation is billed at a rate of $50.00 per hour which does not include the cost associated with obtaining records, drug testing screens or other requested evaluations. If the Court has ordered a deposit for the Parenting Plan Evaluation, that deposit is required to be paid in full prior to the evaluation beginning.
Upon completion of the evaluation, you will receive a final bill for services that has been signed by the Court. Both parties will be billed for one half of the total cost of the parenting plan evaluation.
If the Court has not already established a specific payment plan for services, you can establish a payment plan based on your financial situation. This payment plan will include fees for the parenting plan evaluation as well as for the Guardian ad Litem fees.
All payments are to be made to the Dodge County Clerk of Courts. If you are mailing in a check or money order include your case number and indicate what the payment is for. Call 920-386-3570 with any questions or to set up a payment plan.
The following forms are required by both parents during the Parenting Plan Evaluation process:
Mediation Services
Mediation is ordered by the Court when parents who are living in different homes are unable to agree on a parenting plan regarding legal custody and periods of physical placement for their child/children.
Mediation can also be requested by a parent by:
- Stop by the Dodge County Justice Facility, 210 W Center Street, Juneau, WI and go to the Clerk of Courts Office which is located on the ground floor past security or
- Contact an attorney or
- Print the forms that you need from the internet.
Directions for printing forms online are as follows:
Website is: Wisconsin Court System (wicourts.gov)
Click on Forms, Circuit Court, Family, and All Family Forms
The motion to change form is FA-4170V ($50 filing fee)
Request for mediation is: FA-4134 (no filing fee)
All paperwork needs to be filed with the Clerk of Courts Office located at 210 W. Center Street in Juneau. The hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm (closed holidays). Questions about the filing process should be directed to the Clerk’s office at 920-386-3570.
You can become an “e-filer” which allows you to see all of your case documents via the internet as well as file items electronically.
To become an e-filer:
Click on Circuit Court efile
Log in – create an account and follow the directions. You need to opt in to your court case. If you have questions about the process use the support tab on the website.
Once your paperwork is filed, the Court will either send you to the required co-parenting education class, mediation and/or an in-person motion hearing to determine what the next appropriate step is.
Dodge County Family Court Services offers one 2-hour mediation session at no charge. If it is a subsequent mediation session you and your co-parent will be ordered to split the mediation fee.
You can access a Proposed Parenting Plan FA-4147V by going to the wicourts.gov website, forms, Circuit Court, Family Pre-Judgment. Submit your proposed parenting plan to your co-parent and to the Dodge County Family Court Services general email fccl@co.dodge.wi.us.