If the Court decides that it is going to impute a party with income, it will next need to decide what income to use. If a party is not working enough hours, imputing income is somewhat simple. The Court will likely use the existing hourly rate and multiply it by the number of hours the […]
Imputing Income 2
We recently discussed what it means for the Court to impute you with income. We explained that without a good reason, if you are unemployed, or under employed, the Court can assess you with a higher income than you actually have when doing its support calculations. If you are at risk of being imputed with […]
Imputing Income
During child support and maintenance determinations, the Court will assess parties’ incomes. Not only will the Court look at the numbers, but in some cases, the circumstances surrounding one’s employment will be relevant. If historically you have made a lot of money, and intentionally decrease your income to avoid paying support, you are likely going […]
Why Joint Appraisals, Evaluations or Occupational Examinations may benefit you?
Why Joint Appraisals, Evaluations or Occupational Examinations may benefit you? Upon the filing for a divorce, there are various assets with unknown values to be had between the two of you. As lawyers, we are only licensed to advise you through your divorce in consideration of the benefits and risks of your position for […]
How will my pet be handled in divorce?
Whether it be the family cat, dog, farm animal or some other fur baby, in the face of a divorce, it is currently impossible to duplicate and divide one animal to have an “equal” division of property. In the eyes of the courts, they are essentially deemed in the same respect as any other miscellaneous […]
Maintenance 101
Maintenance, which you may know as spousal support or alimony, is governed by Wisconsin Statute 767.56. Though maintenance awards are determined by a number of statutory factors, judges have quite a lot of discretion in determining whether to award maintenance at all, and if so, how much. The first factor is the length of marriage. […]
What is the difference between a legal separation and a divorce?
There are a couple notable differences between the two, though procedurally, the process of obtaining each is almost identical. Most notably, couples who get a legal separation, rather than a divorce, are not divorced! Still, through the legal separation process, assets and debts will be divided, and an order regarding ongoing finances will be made. […]
Financial Forms 101
Do you have an upcoming initial hearing in your family law case? If so, you are likely tasked with completing either a Financial Disclosure Statement (“FDS”) or an Income and Expense Form (“I/E Form”). The purpose of these court forms is to provide a snapshot of your financial circumstances. By listing your monthly income, expenses, […]
Dealing with Unknown Finances
In a lot of relationships, one party handles financial matters more than the other. This might mean that one spouse files the taxes, pays the bills, decides what investments to make, and so on. Perhaps this person is more financially savvy, this helps with an equal division of labor, or this is just how it […]
He Is Not The Father!
For most individuals, a final divorce hearing is filled with emotions, stress, and the anticlimactic conclusion to a lengthy 120+ day divorce process. For some, it is the end of a relationship, and for others, it is the start of a new chapter. Whether you are looking forward to or dreading the end of your […]