What is a placement enforcement motion?

A placement enforcement motion is the procedural vehicle used to ask a Wisconsin family court to enforce an existing order for physical placement. It is designed for situations in which a parent contends that the other parent intentionally and unreasonably denied or interfered with periods of placement provided by a court order.

The moving party should identify the controlling placement order, describe the specific periods of placement that were denied or interfered with, and explain why the interference was intentional and unreasonable. The court then determines whether the statutory enforcement standard has been met.

When a violation is established, the court may order remedies authorized by § 767.471. Those remedies can include make-up placement, measures intended to ensure future compliance, and certain financial relief. Placement enforcement is related to contempt but is not identical to contempt; Wisconsin created a specific statutory mechanism for enforcing placement rights.

Because the remedy is tied to the existing court order, parents should keep accurate records of denied exchanges, communications, and efforts to exercise placement.

Primary Wisconsin authorities: Wis. Stat. § 767.471.