If you are in the midst of divorce or legal separation in Wisconsin, you have probably heard the phrase, “Wisconsin is a community property state.” This means that, by default, the Wisconsin Court will divide marital property equally between divorcing or separating spouses. Everything you and your spouse own is presumed to be owned by […]
Wisconsin Child Support
One of the most contested issues in any paternity case, separation, or divorce is child support. In order to determine what support payments should be made, if any, the court must first determine physical placement of the child. Placement refers to where the child will be residing. If a parent has less than 25% of […]
Social Media and Divorce
For those in the midst of the process, divorce or legal separation is, almost universally, a stressful and challenging time. During a divorce or legal separation, it is understandable to want to share experiences and feelings with friends and family members. You may turn to social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to vent […]
Issues in Wisconsin Pre-Nuptial Agreements
Because of rules specific to this state, Wisconsin pre-nuptial agreements must address certain important issues. Otherwise, even if the agreement is validated at divorce, it may not fully protect the assets as intended. First of all, the pre-nup agreement must clearly state that it is enforceable at divorce. Although it may seem obvious, some courts have […]
Valuation of Assets in Wisconsin Divorce and Legal Separation
As part of any Wisconsin divorce or legal separation process, there will be a need to divide marital property between you and your spouse. Whether you are seeking a divorce or a legal separation, there is a presumption in Wisconsin that all property acquired during the marriage should be divided equally between the parties, at […]
Use a Wisconsin family lawyer to draft a Wisconsin prenuptial agreement
I have noticed an increase in clients requesting assistance with interpreting and upholding Wisconsin prenuptial agreements. Often, a client is facing a challenge from the other spouse who is trying to throw out the agreement. In every case that I have reviewed, the main reason for the challenge is a poorly-written agreement. In some cases, […]
Guardians ad Litem and Custody Studies
In the state of Wisconsin, when parents cannot reach an agreement on custody and placement of their child, the court will appoint a Guardian ad Litem to the case. The Guardian ad Litem, or GAL, is a family law attorney appointed to represent the best interests of the child. The role of the GAL is […]
Termination of Parental Rights in Wisconsin
Termination of parental rights is one of the most misunderstood aspects of family law, in Wisconsin. In reality, these actions are rare, and the law allowing for termination of parental rights is restrictive and specific, as to fact scenarios that may lead to such an action being successful. This blog entry is meant to address […]
US Supreme Court decision affects Wisconsin military divorce benefits.
Military retired pay is often the most substantial benefit accrued by a servicemember. It is natural, therefore, that the division of military retired pay at divorce is often a source of dispute. Your lawyer must fully understand the options and limitations of this and other military benefits in order to effectively represent you. Perhaps the most […]
Discovery in Wisconsin Family Actions
If you are involved in a Wisconsin divorce, paternity action, or a dispute about legal custody, physical placement and support of a minor child, you have probably heard about the discovery process. A party to a Wisconsin family action, such as a divorce, may choose to undertake formal discovery, to find out more information about […]