Deciding to end a marriage is one of the hardest choices a person can make. Once that decision is made, a new set of questions usually follows. Where do I start? What paperwork do I need? What happens if my spouse does not want the divorce? How long until it is final? The good news…
Wisconsin couples are increasingly asking AI chatbots for divorce advice before they ever call an attorney. Key Takeaways: AI chatbots often default to the wrong property-division framework. Custody terminology trips up most general-purpose AI answers. A short conversation with an attorney can catch what a chatbot misses. You’re up at midnight, phone in hand, typing…
Divorce and custody cases in Wisconsin come with a lot of unfamiliar terminology, and few terms cause more confusion than “custody” itself. Many parents use the word custody to describe everything about their parenting arrangement, but Wisconsin law actually breaks this into two distinct concepts: legal custody and physical placement. Understanding the difference between these…
Retirement accounts are often the single largest asset in a Wisconsin divorce, and dividing them correctly takes more than just splitting the balance in half. Key Takeaways: Retirement accounts earned during marriage count as marital property. A QDRO, not just the decree, divides a 401(k). Mishandled paperwork can trigger avoidable taxes or penalties. If retirement…
Deciding to divorce is rarely easy, and not knowing what the process actually involves can make an already difficult decision feel even more overwhelming. Wisconsin’s divorce laws are more straightforward than many people expect, and understanding the basics can help you approach the process with more confidence and less uncertainty. What Divorce Looks Like in…
Dividing property is one of the most significant parts of any divorce, and Wisconsin handles it differently than many other states. Understanding how the law treats your assets and debts before you begin the process can help you set realistic expectations and make informed decisions along the way. Below is an overview of how marital…
A postnuptial agreement lets Wisconsin couples set new financial ground rules without ending the marriage. Key Takeaways: A postnup can address property, debt, and maintenance terms. Wisconsin postnups require full financial disclosure from both spouses. Otto Family Law drafts postnups, not just divorce paperwork. Maybe you skipped a prenup because the wedding was small, or…
Few family law situations are more complex than relocation. When one parent wants to move, whether across the state or across the country, it sets off a legal process that can be difficult to navigate without the right guidance. Wisconsin has specific laws and procedures governing how relocation requests are handled, and understanding those rules…
Wisconsin courts decide spousal maintenance using ten statutory factors and judicial discretion, not a fixed percentage formula. Key Takeaways: Maintenance can be limited-term or indefinite duration. Long marriages with one stay-at-home spouse often produce maintenance. Either party can request modification after a substantial change. You’ve spent the last few weeks trying to plan a future…
Wisconsin courts set a high bar for modifying a parenting plan, but significant life changes can meet that standard with the right preparation. Key Takeaways: Wisconsin requires a substantial change in circumstances before courts will revisit placement. Both parents can agree to modify a plan without going back to court if the change is properly…
An attorney-mediator in a Wisconsin divorce keeps both spouses at the table, in control of the outcome, and out of the courtroom. This path is a more peaceful, cost-effective alternative to two opposing attorneys or litigation. Key Takeaways An attorney mediator is a neutral legal professional who guides both spouses toward a mutual agreement, rather…
Divorce is one of the most legally and emotionally complex processes a person can go through. Even people who go into it with the best intentions often make decisions early on that cost them significantly later. Some of those mistakes are recoverable. Others are not. Understanding the most common divorce mistakes before you make them…
If your spouse has told you they will never agree to a divorce, you may be wondering whether that means you are permanently stuck. The short answer is no. In Wisconsin, one spouse refusing to participate does not prevent the other from moving forward and ultimately obtaining a divorce. What it does do is create…
You’ve decided. You and your spouse are getting a divorce. It was not an easy decision, but now that the choice is made, the question becomes: how do you move forward? At Otto Family Law, our team of divorce lawyers believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transition through divorce with as much peace and ease…
Otto Family Law S.C. has launched its 3rd Annual Mitten Tree in support of Bolton Refuge House in Eau Claire and Benjamin’s House in Rice Lake. Community members are invited to donate from December 1 through January 16. The firm is accepting donations of new hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and monetary contributions. Monetary donations will…
Attorney Lauren Otto, founder of Otto Family Law, is featured in a four-part interview series sharing her journey to business ownership, the challenges she’s faced along the way, and how stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to growth and success. She is slated to be featured in the future, and those episodes can…
Lauren Otto, founder and owner of Otto Family Law Featured in VolumeOne’s Local Legal Leaders discussing divorce and how financially and emotionally stressful it can be on families and how it should be handled the right way.
A custody agreement is based on the circumstances of the family dynamic at a particular time. New jobs and remarriages shake up the status quo by requiring the parent with primary custody, or the custodial parent, to move. On one hand, the relocating parent has the right to live a full life as a sovereign individual. On…
BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTIONS IN WISCONSIN Wisconsin residents filing for bankruptcy can protect some of their assets. Qualifying personal property in limited amounts cannot be used as repayment toward creditor claims. Laws refer to these amounts as exemptions. Your home and personal vehicles are protected by Wisconsin exemption laws. These laws make sense since the purpose of bankruptcy is…
One of the greatest sources of stress regarding a divorce relates to child custody issues. Parents usually want to have as much time as possible with their children, and fight hard to obtain as much custody time as the court will allow. However, there are some unfortunate circumstances under which a parent would have a…
By the time people are old enough to consume alcohol, it is well-ingrained in their minds that they should not drink and drive. We are told the responsible thing to do is to simply not get behind the wheel. However, life is not always that simple. Sometimes, your vehicle is the only place where you…
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of issues and challenges for parents who share placement of children. I have had a lot of questions come up. Do I have to exchange the children under these circumstances? What happens if we get sick and am quarantined? What happens with placement exchanges where the parents live in…
