The Wisconsin Court of Appeals today decided Peterson v. Bauer, http://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.pdf?content=pdf&seqNo=104582, a Wisconsin divorce case addressing a husband’s request to terminate military disability payments to his ex-spouse. Although the case will not be published, the ruling touches on several interesting issues that I will discuss in this and other posts. First, this case shows the pitfalls of […]
Do I need a lawyer in Dane County family law case?
I attended a Dane County Family Law Group (DCFLAG) meeting today, at which local family judges estimated that 80% of the parties in Dane County family law cases (divorce, paternity, child support and custody, etc.) are not represented by lawyers. I imagine the same is true in Sauk County, Columbia Count, and other surrounding counties. The judges lamented that not only […]
Decision on Wisconsin child custody and relocation
In Marriage of Derleth and Corova http://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.pdf?content=pdf&seqNo=103806, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals recently addressed a Wisconsin child custody dispute over a child’s relocation. The Court decided that a parent’s ability to move up to 150 miles away within the state cannot be restricted, even if the court believes that the move is not in the child’s […]
The intersection of divorce, child custody, McDonald’s, and psychiatry.
A father’s parental fitness has been called into question by a psychiatrist because he refused to take his child to McDonalds. http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/how-saying-no-to-mcdonald-s-might-lead-to-dad-losing-custody-165611460.html Though this case occurred in New York, it could easily have happened in Wisconsin. I have to believe there is something else going on here. It’s hard to imagine that a competent psychiatrist […]
Pets as “property” in a Wisconsin divorce?
Pets are treated as property in Wisconsin divorce cases. However, research continues to demonstrate that at least some animals have more complex emotions and intelligence. A recent study found that dogs may have emotions similar to humans http://news.yahoo.com/scans-reveal-striking-similarity-between-human-canine-minds-162147298.html. As a dog owner myself, this is not really surprising. However, those feelings are increasingly supported by scientific […]
Wisconsin divorce compensation to wife for failure to have sex?
I ran across this article recently, http://divorce.com/mandatory-sex/, and found the contrast between Wisconsin divorce law and French law amusing. There is no possible way this ruling could ever happen in a Wisconsin divorce. First, Wisconsin follows the “no fault” divorce rule. But perhaps most interesting to me was how one would place a value on […]
Should Wisconsin maintenance be limited in divorce?
Wisconsin maintenance law does not set specific limits on the amount or duration of spousal support (maintenance) after divorce. The court instead applies numerous factors to a request for maintenance before making a discretionary decision. Other states set specific limits on spousal support. Texas, for example, limits support to 5 years in marriages of 10-20 […]
Wisconsin divorce lawyer steps to making divorce easier
Divorce is one of the most stressful periods in your life. In my years of experience as a Wisconsin divorce lawyer, I’ve noticed that clients who follow the below guidelines seem to make it through the process with far less stress. 1. Hire a lawyer. The legal system can be frustrating, complicated, and confusing. An experienced Wisconsin divorce […]
Must I disclose all assets in a Wisconsin divorce?
Yes. Wisconsin law requires both spouses to disclose all assets in a Wisconsin divorce. The purpose is to give each spouse full and fair knowledge of the finances. Each spouse will complete a standard form listing checking and savings accounts, CDs, retirement, vehicles, real estate, investments, debts, etc. All assets with a value greater than $500 must […]
How much will my Sauk County divorce cost?
The cost of a Sauk County divorce depends on many factors. The value of the marital assets often has little relation to the cost of the divorce. As a Sauk County divorce lawyer, I have represented clients of very modest means who were willing to spend many thousands on the divorce. I have also worked […]