How long does it take to get divorced and how does the process actually work?
In the State of Wisconsin it takes a minimum of 120 days from the date of service to get a divorce. This is considered a "cooling off" period required by law. Complicated divorces with many issues can take longer.
The Divorce Process in Wisconsin
The divorce process begins when one party filecs a summons and petition with the court. The person who files for divorce is called the petitioner. The other person is called the respondent. The respondent is served with the divorce paperwork and the 120 day time period begins.
In the beginning, it is usually necessary to have some temporary divorce agreements on major issues such as who has custody of the children, who stays in the house, and how much temporary support is paid, to name a few. The parties, through their divorce attorneys, should try to reach a written temporary agreement. If this is not possible, a hearing will be held in court and a court commissioner will make any necessary decisions. Any agreements or decisions made by the court are, in fact, temporary and in effect only while the divorce is pending. The ultimate outcome could be very different.
{Attorney Note: Though this phase only refers to the period when the divorce is pending, it is still very important because it sets up a status quo which is often maintained at the end of the divorce. Also, since complicated divorces can go on for some time these temporary agreements may be something that you have to live with for several months, or even longer}
After a temporary agreement has been reached, the case enters the "discovery" phase. In this phase, the divorce attorney collects detailed information on debts and assets so that a settlement can be attempted. If there is a custody dispute, child support dispute or maintenance dispute your divorce attorney should gather all necessary information for presentation to the court so you can get the result you desire.
Divorce through Lawyer Negotiation and Litigation
Litigation is the traditional divorce process. Our Milwaukee divorce lawyers help clients facing adversarial divorces, requiring an aggressive, pit bull-style approach. We handle all aspects of divorce disputes including child custody battles, child support settlements, asset division, and other special circumstances involving divorce. We also assist clients who need representation for no-fault divorce in Wisconsin. Contact our Milwaukee divorce and family law firm for more information about legal representation involving divorce matters.
For more information about divorce in Wisconsin or to schedule an appointment with an experienced lawyer regarding a divorce proceeding in Wisconsin, please contact our Milwauke divorce lawyers.
John T. Fields & Associates, LLC
740 Pilgrim Pkwy., Suite 100
Elm Grove, WI 53122
262-782-8322
Fax: 262-565-2424
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250 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1800
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-771-9500
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