You might hear of people who are legally separated and wonder how that is different from simply being divorced. In Wisconsin, legal separations and divorces share a similar legal process, but the end result is differently. For example, in both…

A proceeding to terminate the parental rights (TPR) of one or both parents is initiated by preparing and filing a petition, summons and a notice. The petition is the document that identifies the people involved, including the child, and the…

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDROs) is a court order that divides an individual’s retirement plans between themselves and their former spouse. The order is presented to the plan administrator and instructs how the plan should be divided between the…

In an action for divorce and any other family action, the parties are required to submit a full financial disclosure. The court is actually required by law to order the parties involved to file the disclosure. This disclosure includes all…

When a Court enters a final judgment for legal custody and physical placement it can be very difficult to modify it within the first two years of the order. There is a preference to maintain consistency for the children and…

When the court makes an order on custody and placement, all of its consideration must be related to the best interest of the child. The court is prohibited from preferring one parent over the other on the basis of sex…

Terminating maintenance is a tall task for attorneys in Wisconsin because a termination of maintenance is permanent. To terminate maintenance, attorneys must show that the purposes or goals of maintenance, fairness and support, are no longer being accomplished under the…