When the parties to a divorce have minor children, the Family Court Commissioner will order them to attend Cooperative Parenting classes. These classes are designed to help people deal with their spouse on children's issues in a healthy way, so they can both protect their children from the harmful aspects of the divorce. More information is available on the Mediation and Parental Education Page.
When a divorce case has disputed issues regarding children, each parent needs to complete a document called a "Parenting Plan". This is due when Guardian ad Litem materials are due. By following the links on the Forms Page for the Pro Se Forms, you can download a blank Parenting Plan.
Dr. Kip Zirkel, a psychologist in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, has put together a pamphlet covering information on custody and placement. Click on the title to download a copy of Planning For Your Children's Future: A Parents' Guide to Custody and Placement This is a large document, so please be patient.
The Green County UW-Extension Office provides a very useful newsletter called "Parenting the First, Second and Third Year". This is targeted at first time parents of children birth to 3 years of age. It's a collaboration between The Monroe Clinic, The Green County Health Department, Monroe Area Kiwanis Club, and UW-Extension. The newsletter is monthly for the child's first year, and bi-monthly for years 2 & 3. The newsletter is available in Spanish. You can subscribe by calling The Monroe Clinic's Community Relations Office at 608-324-1303 or 608-324-1310. For more information, call Green County UW-Extension at 608-328-9440.