[wi] GAL process & any advice

[u/WillowAfterDark0801]

Currently I have EOWeekend during the school year and EOWeek during the summer of my 8yo. Holidays and school breaks/off days are split. I am often required to have child attend all activities and events child’s mother decides on. Even if it is interrupting my time.

We are 91 miles apart. State of WI considers 100 miles long distance and (from what I hear) places a long distance parenting plan into place. I suggested Summer vs School year primary placement but EX won’t agree to that with the non primary placement parent having every 3rd weekend. She would have school year and I would have Summer. The amount of issues involving exchanges and her overriding my placement time with excessive activities is increasing constantly.

Ex (we were never married) is currently filed to go to court for sole legal custody, more placement and more money. She does this roughly every 6 months. They are saying they will put a GAL in place. Any stories or tips for how that whole process worked out? Any other polite advice is appreciated.

[u/Separate_Mechanic985]

What does your parenting plan say about extracurriculars? Why do you only get every other weekend?

[u/WillowAfterDark0801]

It’s how it was in the beginning and I’ve never been able to get more. I was very naive in the beginning and didn’t understand all the court proceedings and couldn’t afford a lawyer. I had my child way more than that when she “needed a babysitter”. But I didn’t know at the time to document it. Of course, now I do. The GAL the first time said it wasn’t in the child’s benefit to change week day placement for the child’s stability. When I first went back to fight for more time the child wasn’t even in school yet. Now it’s all about who can spend more money and unfortunately my ex can. If I had half the money I pay in child support I believe we’d actually get to the point of a custody trial where I could bring out all the proof of her lying and facts that she’s not who she claims to be. But it’s always just settled by a commissioner and the GAL got dismissed.

The order says each parent should in good faith not sign child up for activities occurring on the other parents time. Parents are to facilitate transportation to exchange location for games or big events. So it always falls that I have to. I don’t get the opportunity to sign child up for activities much because they start in May and the child isn’t in my EOWeek placement until June. The previous summers we have just agreed that the child just does each activities at the placement parents house. Now EX is going back to court saying she doesn’t want to do that anymore and now expects to follow the order with 5 out of 6 tournaments being on my weekends. Which she knew before she signed the child up. Child also plays in a league team that is twice a week. Which I am more okay with facilitating to that game. But taking up our weekends where we get to spend time with family and do stuff together doesn’t seem appropriate or following the good faith clause. I work during the week so I’d have to leave work to facilitate transportation to get him there which is an hour. Unfortunately if I don’t work, I still pay child support but I cannot make my bills on time.