During divorce settlement negotiations, family law attorneys often include life insurance provisions to secure child support and alimony obligations in the event of the payor’s death. To ensure the payor is insurable and follows through with the coverage, these arrangements are typically finalized before the settlement agreement is signed. A recipient spouse may request that […]
Who Pays Divorce Attorney Fees?
In Wisconsin, each spouse is generally responsible for their own attorney fees and court costs in a divorce. However, courts have broad discretion to order a higher-earning spouse to contribute to the lower-earning spouse’s fees if there’s a significant income disparity that would otherwise prevent the spouse from participating in the case. In addition to […]
What “Not to Do” When Contemplating Divorce
If you are considering divorce it is important to plan ahead, avoiding common mistakes that some make before discussing their situation with an experienced divorce attorney. Many will tell you what you ‘should do’ if you are considering divorce – from gathering financial records to thinking about a parenting plan – but it is also […]
Downsides of Not Getting a Divorce after Separation
It is not unheard of for married parents to separate without taking the necessary steps to get a divorce or obtain court orders for custody and support of their child. In some cases, even though a couple is no longer together, both parents may remain involved in their child’s life after ending their relationship. They […]
Protecting Privacy in Divorce
After making the difficult decision to divorce, many are concerned about protecting their privacy given that many issues in a divorce are a matter of public record. In fact, Wisconsin is one of a few states that allow full access to divorce records, which often includes details regarding anything form marital asset division to child […]
Spouse Pays Attorney Fees in a Wisconsin Divorce
Typically in a divorce, each spouse pays their own divorce attorney. However, Wisconsin law gives the court authority to order one spouse to pay the other party’s attorney fees in certain situations. Disparity in Income Divorcing stay-at-home parents and lower wage earning spouse’s are often relieved to learn that the court will consider the financial […]
How Bankruptcy Impacts Divorce Proceedings
If you are divorcing and your spouse decides to filing for bankruptcy protection, it can throw a wrench into the divorce proceedings, at least from the standpoint of the division of marital property and debt. When a spouse files for bankruptcy, an automatic stay goes into effect during the bankruptcy proceeding which can last several […]
Legal Separation vs Divorce in Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin recognizes both legal separation and divorce when couples decide to part ways. The difference is that a legally separated couple remains married while a divorced couple has the marriage dissolved. Similarities between the two include the division of finances and property as well as the handling of child custody and support. […]
Understanding Common Reasons for Divorce
Financial stress, poor conflict resolution, lack of intimacy, and lack of family support are among the top reasons leading up to a divorce, but all too often couples fail to recognize the signs that a marriage is in trouble before it is too late. Understanding common reasons for divorce can provide valuable information to those […]
Wisconsin Divorce at a Glance
Wisconsin is a no fault state when it comes to divorce, meaning that either spouse can petition for a divorce if they believe the marriage has become irretrievably broken, that the marriage can no longer be sustained. The Time it Takes to Get a Divorce in Wisconsin The state does require that couples observe a […]