Every state mandates the laws that govern property division in a divorce. Wisconsin is a community property state. What is a community property state? In a community property state, all marital property is subject to an even division, meaning both spouses get half in...
Family Law
2 kinds of misconduct that are common in higher-asset divorces
Divorce proceedings often bring out the absolute worst in people. Individuals who are typically accepting and forgiving might become intensely critical toward their spouse during the divorce process. Those who are often calm and rational may let their emotions...
If you get divorced, does it mean you can’t retire?
Those who are getting divorced later on in life may also be thinking about retirement. This is an important area to consider because gray divorce is the only area in which divorce rates are rising. In other words, this specific conundrum is happening more and more to...
Is a collaborative divorce right for you?
Teamwork in your marriage may have worked early on. However, that collaboration gradually fell by wayside, until finally you saw no other option than to end your marriage. Now, you wonder what is the best route to take in this divorce: mediation or court? Another...
3 reasons a post-divorce modification could become necessary
A divorcing couple will work hard to remove obstacles and achieve compromises on the path to their new, independent futures. From negotiations centering on property division and debt responsibility to those involving the parenting plan and visitation schedule, the...
What is marital property and how much is it worth?
This two-part question presents a critical issue in many Wisconsin divorces: Just what does the law consider marital property and what is that property's value? The answer in your specific circumstances will play a prominent role in shaping your post-divorce financial...
Do I really need a prenuptial agreement?
Getting engaged and planning a wedding is a very romantic time in your life, but designing a life with someone else requires a great deal of practical planning. While you may not see divorce on the horizon of your relationship, it is a possibility for any marriage....
Asset protection can transcend your prenup
The best way to protect assets from a potential divorce may be not to own those assets at all. For those seeking the financial protections of a prenuptial agreement, the full-disclosure clause is a net with few visible means of escape. A recent article in Kiplinger's...
When deciding child custody, the judge will weigh many factors
If you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, the welfare of your child in a post-divorce world will be top priority. Child custody matters will be a focal point in the divorce proceedings. The judge will consider many factors in order to make decisions...
What is the new way to establish paternity in Wisconsin?
On August 20, 2020, Wisconsin established a new way to establish paternity for a child: administrative paternity. With administrative paternity, you can establish paternity for your child without ever stepping into a courtroom. Seeking administrative paternity is...