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Recent Blog Posts
Establishing Paternity in Wisconsin
In many cases, there is absolute certainty over who a child's mother and father are. If a child is born to a married couple, the husband is considered the child's legal father under Wisconsin law. However, suppose a child is born to an unmarried couple or after a couple has legally separated or divorced. In that case, some steps need to be taken to establish paternity of that child legally. A Wisconsin family law attorney can help you with this process.
Why Do I Need to Establish Paternity?
There are several reasons why establishing paternity of a child is essential. Multiple studies have shown that it is crucial for a child's emotional and social development if they have a bond with both parents. Establishing paternity provides children with a sense of identity and belonging by knowing both of his or her parents. It also gives the father the right to custody and parenting time.
Steps to Protect Your Financial Rights in a Divorce
There is no doubt that divorce can be an emotional life event, even if you are the spouse who wants the divorce. However, the financial impact of divorce can also be significant. This is why it is crucial to take proactive steps needed to protect your assets and financial future. While the following is a brief overview of some of these steps, a Wisconsin divorce lawyer can provide more specific information and legal guidance that addresses your situation.
Gather Financial Documents
The first step in preparing for divorce is to gather all relevant financial documents. This includes bank statements, tax returns, investment accounts, retirement accounts, mortgage documents, credit card statements, and other financial records.
You also want to gather all legal documents for any property you own, including deeds, insurance policies, and vehicle titles.
Why Do Marriage Breakups Spike in January?
Multiple studies and statistics have concluded that the month of January not only marks the new year but also sees a noticeable increase in the number of married couples who decide to call it quits. The spike is so significant that January is often dubbed “Divorce Month.” The following are some of the common factors these studies have found play a role in these numbers. Anyone considering a divorce should speak with a Wisconsin divorce lawyer who has experience aggressively protecting clients and fighting for their rights.
New Year Reflections
As the New Year unfolds, people often find themselves reflecting on their lives, relationships, and personal goals. A new year often triggers a desire for personal growth and change. January represents a time of renewal and a fresh start, and this often leads to people evaluating their current life situations. These reflections can lead to a heightened awareness of just how unhappy they are in their marriage and a resolution to end a relationship that is no longer emotionally fulfilling.
How Will My Divorce Impact My Business?
Besides child custody, the division of the marital estate in a divorce is the most potentially contentious issue couples must address. Although Wisconsin is a community property state – meaning assets and property are divided 50/50 – there are factors that can make this division complex. One of those factors is if one or both spouses own a business. Determining the actual value of a business is critical to ensure that asset division is fair for both spouses, and this is why it is crucial to have a skilled Wisconsin divorce lawyer advocating for you.
The following are the key factors that should be considered when determining a business’s worth.
Methods of Valuating
The choice of valuation methodology is crucial and can significantly impact the outcome. There are several approaches, including the income approach, asset approach, and market approach:
What Is the Difference Between a Custody Case and a Complex Custody Case?
Child custody cases can be difficult enough to work through, but when there are complex issues involved, these cases become even more emotionally and legally challenging. This is why having a skilled Wisconsin family law attorney advocating for your parental rights and ensuring your child’s best interests are protected is crucial. The following are some issues that can turn a custody case into a complex one.
Child's Best Interests
The uppermost consideration in any child custody case is the best interests of the child or children involved. Courts prioritize the child's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being above all else. Family law judges will evaluate various factors to decide what custody arrangement is in the child's best interests. These factors may include the child's age, health, educational needs, emotional attachments to each parent, and each parent’s ability to provide a stable, nurturing, and loving environment.
Is Your Divorce Attorney Aggressive Enough?
The most important decision a person makes regarding divorce is the decision itself. But once that decision is made, hiring the right attorney is the second most important decision. Do an online search for a Wisconsin divorce lawyer, and you will get pages of options. Many people wonder if the attorney they hire will be aggressive enough to ensure their best interests will be protected. The level of aggressiveness your attorney exhibits can significantly impact the outcome of a divorce case. Still, it is important to understand what "aggressiveness" means regarding legal representation and whether it is the right approach for your situation. When meeting with different attorneys for your case, the following are some factors to consider.
Communication Style
Effective communication is a critical part of how an attorney approaches their role. An attorney should be assertive in advocating for their client’s rights and interests, but they should also be professional and respectful when dealing with the opposing party and their attorney. Aggressiveness should not translate into hostility or unprofessional behavior.
The Importance of Having a Divorce Lawyer Representing You
Divorce is a complex legal process that involves emotional, financial, and legal considerations. Despite how complicated it can become, some people believe they do not need a Wisconsin divorce lawyer representing them; instead, they choose to go the “do-it-yourself” route. The following are some of the reasons why it is important to have an attorney advocating for you.
Navigating Complex Laws
Divorce laws can be intricate and vary from one jurisdiction to another. A divorce lawyer possesses in-depth knowledge of the legal intricacies and procedures related to Wisconsin family law. They can help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and the legal implications of every decision you make throughout the process.
Ensuring Fair Treatment
A divorce lawyer is your advocate, working diligently to protect your rights and interests. They can help ensure that you receive a fair share of marital assets, that child custody arrangements are just, and that you are not subjected to unfair financial burdens, such as excessive spousal support or child support payments.
Understanding Wisconsin Child Custody Options
While the overall divorce process can be emotionally draining, those involving child custody can be especially stressful. Parents need to understand that once the issue is resolved and the court has made its decision, they will now have to co-parent together, and any residual feelings left by a bitter custody battle can get in the way of that, making a significant impact on their child’s life.
The following are some factors to remember as you navigate through this process. Having a skilled Wisconsin family lawyer advocating for you will ensure your parental rights are protected, and your child's best interests remain top priority.
Prioritizing Your Child's Well-Being
Child custody disputes can often become acrimonious, but it is crucial to remember that the child's well-being should always come first. When the court makes its final decision, it is doing so based on the best interest of the child doctrine. The judge will consider your child’s age, physical and emotional needs, and the ability of each parent to provide a stable and nurturing home.
What Legal Options Are There for Domestic Violence Survivors?
Every year, the month of October is designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with the goal of raising awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence.
Domestic violence affects millions worldwide. In the United States alone, one in four women and one in nine men have experienced physical violence from an intimate partner. However, it is believed those numbers are actually higher because many cases go unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of awareness of available resources.
It is estimated that nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. This results in approximately 20,000 calls to domestic violence hotlines daily.
One legal option for domestic violence survivors is to obtain a restraining order. The following is a brief overview of this legal option. For more details, contact a Wisconsin family lawyer.
Pursuing an Ex Parte Child Custody Order in Wisconsin
When it comes to family law issues, child custody disputes can be some of the most emotionally charged and complex cases. When situations come up where a child's immediate safety or well-being is at risk, Wisconsin’s family law system provides a mechanism known as an "ex parte child custody order" that allows a court to take urgent action to protect a child, even without the full participation of both parents. The following is an overview of ex parte child custody orders. For more detailed information on your situation, contact a Wisconsin family lawyer from our firm.
What Is an Ex Parte Child Custody Order?
An ex parte child custody order is a court order that is issued without prior notice to or in the presence of one party involved in a custody dispute. "Ex parte" is a Latin term meaning "from one side" or "by one party." Basically, an ex parte order is one where the court makes its decision based on the information and argument presented by the petitioner (the party who is requesting the order) without allowing the respondent (the other party) to present their side to the court.
From our office in Madison, Wisconsin, we provide representation for clients in communities throughout Dane County, Green County, Columbia County, Sauk County, Dodge County, Jefferson County, and Rock County, including Middleton, Waunakee, DeForest, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Monona, McFarland, Fitchburg, Stoughton, Oregon, Verona, Mt. Horeb, Monroe, Portage, Baraboo, Reedsburg, Beaver Dam, Waupun, Watertown, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Whitewater, Janesville, and Beloit.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
2810 Crossroads Dr., #4000, Madison, WI 53718
608-729-3590
