Family
Legal Separation V. Divorce
Clients often ask what the difference is between a legal separation and a divorce. While the court process for both is similar, the legal consequences of each are significantly different. Below are some of the differences between these two judgments: Legal Definition...
Legal Custody vs. Placement
Wisconsin has two distinct concepts relating to minor children in family law cases: Legal Custody and Physical Placement. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they have distinct legal meanings and implications in the State of Wisconsin. A. Legal custody...
What is a Guardian Ad Litem?
A Guardian ad litem (GAL) is an attorney who is appointed by the Court to represent the best interests of a minor child. If the parties are represented by counsel, the attorneys often give their recommendation to the Court about who they think would be a good fit as...
May I Go to Another State to Get a Speedy Divorce?
In Wisconsin, there is a 120-day waiting period for divorces. After the summons and complaint are served on you or your spouse, the earliest you could be divorced is roughly four months later. However, for most people, settling divorce issues takes significantly...
Family Court is a Court of Equity
Often when trying to define what “equity” means in the legal context, people use words like “fair” or “equal” but neither of those really encompass what it means for the Court to be a “court of equity.” So, I am going to try and explain what it means without using...