What happens after divorce papers are filed?

Once divorce papers are filed, there is a 120 day waiting period until the divorce can be finalized. During that time, you may request a temporary order hearing to help you and your spouse decided how to handle finances, child placement and support, and property division until the trial.

How do I get a divorce in Wisconsin?

First, decide if you and your spouse want to file jointly or separately. If you file separately, you must serve your spouse divorce papers within 90 days of filing. The appropriate forms can be found on the Wisconsin Court Systems website.

How much does a simple divorce cost?

A simple divorce, or an uncontested divorce, is when you and your spouse agree on the issues raised by the divorce. The average cost of an uncontested divorce in Wisconsin ranges from $1,500 to $3,000.

Is Wisconsin a no-fault divorce state?

Wisconsin is a no-fault divorce state. Only one spouse must believe that the marriage is irretrievably broken for the divorce to move forward.

How long does divorce take in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has a mandatory 120-day waiting period to finalize a divorce. However, a typical divorce can take 6-12 months to finalize or longer if the divorce has contested issues.

How much does it cost to modify a divorce decree?

Modifications usually cost at least $1,000. In order to get a modification, you will have to prove that circumstances have changed.

How much does a divorce mediator cost?

Hiring a divorce mediator can cost anywhere from $800-$3,500. Costs will vary depending on whether you mediator charges a flat rate or hourly rate, how many sessions you decide to do, and what type of qualifications your mediator has.

How to get sole custody in Wisconsin?

If you want sole custody of your child, you must present compelling evidence to the court. One parent may be awarded sole custody if the relationship between spouses is high-conflict, and they are unable to make the decisions needed in a joint custody situation.

How are child support payments calculated?

Child support in Wisconsin is calculated based on parental income, the amount of time a child spends with each parent, and whether a parent is supporting other children. Percentage of income for child support is based on the number of children being supported.

Can child support be modified?

Child support can be modified if both parents agree to a new payment amount and file a Stipulation and Order to Amend Judgement form with the office of their County Clerk of Court. Child support can also be changed by the court if there is a significant change in circumstances.

Milwaukee divorce lawyers & family law attorneys | Divergent Family Law Wisconsin

Milwaukee's Trusted Divorce Lawyers

Going through a divorce can quickly become overwhelming. The emotional stress combined with the complex divorce process is a heavy burden to bear alone. Let Divergent Law’s Milwaukee divorce attorneys provide the steady guidance and caring support you need.

Our team has decades of combined experience skillfully handling all aspects of divorce in Wisconsin. We’re well-versed in negotiating settlements, pursuing mediation and steadfastly representing clients in litigation when necessary. Our top concern is upholding your rights.

Our compassionate approach is what sets Divergent Law apart. We take the time to understand your unique situation and priorities. Your peace of mind and well-being are just as important to us as securing a positive outcome. We’ll develop personalized legal strategies to effectively protect your interests every step of the way.

Don’t face divorce on your own. Our Milwaukee lawyers provide strong legal advocacy backed by a caring commitment to your best interests. Contact Divergent Law today to schedule a consultation and get the caring counsel you deserve.

Steps to Divorce in Milwaukee, WI

Step 1

Contact us & schedule

Contact our office to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced Milwaukee divorce lawyers at a convenient time for you.

Step 2

Attend your free consultation

At the consultation, we’ll listen to understand your unique situation and explain how our team can help you through each step from start to finish.

Step 3

Work with our family and divorce lawyers

Our compassionate legal team will advise you, handle all required filings and zealously represent your best interests throughout the proceedings.

Step 4

Divorce mediation or court hearing

We will pursue alternative mediation if possible to reach an amicable agreement out of court. We’re also prepared to forcefully advocate for you at any required hearings.

Step 5

Finalize divorce

After fulfilling the mandatory waiting period, we’ll ensure your divorce is properly finalized in court and address all outstanding issues.

Choose the Divorce Option That's Right For You

While divorce is never easy, choosing the appropriate legal process can help minimize stress. Our attorneys guide you in understanding the different divorce options to determine the best fit for your unique situation.

Uncontested Divorce

If you and your spouse can reach agreements on all terms like asset division, custody and spousal support, an uncontested divorce allows for faster, more affordable and low-conflict resolution.

Contested Divorce

In cases where spouses cannot mutually agree, a judge will make the final decision on any unresolved matters after each party presents evidence. Contested divorces tend to involve more adversarial in court, added expenses and extended timelines to complete the process.

Mediated Divorce

In mediation, a neutral third party facilitates cooperative negotiation between spouses to reach mutually agreeable terms. Mediation encourages open communication and allows you an active role in determining the outcome.

Annulments

Certain circumstances like fraud, failure to consummate, bigamy or incapacity at the time of marriage may qualify to have the marriage fully annulled or voided as if it never legally existed. An annulment relieves both parties of all marital rights and responsibilities.

Factors That May Affect Your Divorce

Length of the marriage
Children
Jointly Owned Assets or Debts
Income Disparity
Business Ownership
Employment Status
History of domestic violence, substance abuse or criminal history

Family Law Services in Milwaukee

We offer support and legal guidance in Milwaukee for:

Child Custody

Divergent Law helps parents navigate legal and physical child custody determinations during Wisconsin divorces. Wisconsin courts aim for arrangements allowing both parents to remain actively involved, but we will help advocate for solutions aligning with your child’s best interests - whether you would like to pursue sole or joint custody. We will also help you through the process of modifying custody or placement if circumstances change. Our attorneys take the time to understand your family’s dynamics to pursue a custody outcome to benefit your children’s well-being in the long run.

Child Support

Our lawyers ensure child support orders are fair and in compliance with Wisconsin guidelines based on income and child-related expenses. We protect your rights while calculating appropriate financial obligations for your unique situation. Child support amounts can vary significantly, so it’s crucial to have an accurate understanding of what you may owe or be owed.

Use our Wisconsin child support calculator tool to get an initial estimate of monthly payments based on factors like custody arrangements and medical expense costs. Our attorneys go beyond basic calculations to advocate for any adjustments needed due to special circumstances like specialized education or medical needs.

Divorce Mediation

For those seeking to avoid adversarial court battles, our mediators foster a cooperative environment to resolve divorce issues like property division and co-parenting plans out of court. Mediation allows you to have an active voice in crafting divorce terms you can both agree on, rather than leaving it entirely to a judge. It’s typically a much less expensive and less stressful option than litigation.

Paternity

We assist with legally establishing paternity, which determines visitation rights and child support responsibilities for fathers. Taking this step to confirm the biological father is important for pursuing parental rights and ensuring children receive fair financial support. Our lawyers handle paternity cases skillfully whether the parents are married or not.

High Net Worth

Our experienced Milwaukee divorce attorneys skillfully divide complex assets and finances in divorces involving significant wealth and property like businesses or trusts. With high net worth cases, properly valuing and equitably distributing assets is crucial to protecting your interests and investments. We apply a sophisticated understanding of tax implications, asset transfers, business valuations and more.

Military

For military members and spouses, we provide specialized guidance in navigating jurisdictional issues, military benefits and the unique challenges surrounding deployments and relocation. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of how military service and frequent moves impact divorce proceedings. We ensure your entitled benefits like pensions and healthcare are properly divided and we diligently represent your interests even when handling a multi-state or international divorce case.

Flexible Divorce Payment Plans for Milwaukee Families

Turn to Divergent Family Law in Milwaukee for compassionate guidance protecting your rights and future. Our award-winning attorneys provide flexible payment plans to make top-tier legal representation accessible to local families.

We’re proud to serve Milwaukee and communities throughout Wisconsin, including Brookfield, Glendale, Appleton and Madison. Contact us to learn more about divorce costs, timelines and how we can strategically protect your interests.

Milwaukee Free Divorce Seminars

Get honest answers and practical advice by attending one of our free divorce seminars in Milwaukee. Our experienced attorneys will explain Wisconsin’s divorce process clearly and offer strategies for resolving common issues. Learn more today.

What's Next?

You don’t have to walk the divorce path alone. Our compassionate Milwaukee divorce lawyers provide skilled legal guidance to protect your future every step of the way. Whether you need assistance with alimony, child support, obtaining records, dividing property or any other family law matter, we are here to help.

Contact Divergent Family Law today to schedule a private, no-obligation consultation. We serve families from Lake Country, to Germantown, to Oak Creek and everywhere in between.

Milwaukee Divorce Attorneys

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