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 as possible. In this article, we’ll walk you through three tailored legal options designed to suit your unique circumstances and help you Divorce Your Way. These options are designed to simplify the process of divorce so it’s as easy as possible.
Our approach, Divorce Your Way, grew out of founder and lead attorney, Lauren Otto‘s original Divorce in a Day program: a simple, streamlined option for couples who already agreed on the terms of their split. Lauren has since crafted made-to-fit divorce processes to serve those who may need a little extra help working through details or require strong courtroom advocacy.
These three options ensure that you can begin to move forward in a way that feels right for you:
- The Clear Path – for couples ready to move forward with an uncontested divorce.
- The Guided Path – for those who want a cooperative process through mediation.
- The Strong Path – for cases requiring dedicated representation in a contested divorce.
Each path is outlined in detail below to help you choose the approach that best matches your personal situation and goals. While offering different levels of support, they all share the same foundation of expert legal guidance and compassionate care.
The Clear Path: Uncontested Divorce
The Clear Path is for spouses who have reached the decision to divorce on relatively good terms. This is a path for those who want an easy transition out of marriage, who feel confident they can peacefully divide assets or co-parent, or have already successfully begun this process.
The Clear Path serves individuals pursuing what is called an uncontested divorce. This is the ideal option for those who want to simply file the paperwork and handle the rest on their own.
What is an Uncontested Divorce?
An uncontested divorce is when both spouses agree on all major aspects of their separation, including child custody, property division, spousal support, and debt allocation without the need for court intervention. Rather than going to trial to have a judge decide the final terms of your separation, these issues are discussed and settled with your soon-to-be-ex.
This option is ideal for couples who are on the same page about how to move forward and wish to end their marriage as efficiently and amicably as possible. An uncontested divorce is also often the fastest and most affordable way to get divorced in Wisconsin.
Choosing The Clear Path of an uncontested divorce will connect you with Otto Family Law’s dedicated divorce lawyers and paralegal team, who will handle all the legal details for you. Our capable team handles the initial drafting and e-filing of your required documents, including the Marital Settlement Agreement that outlines all matters in your case. We’ll guide you through revisions and see you through the signing of finalized divorce paperwork, marking the end of this transition period.
The Guided Path: Mediation
The Guided Path is designed for couples who want a smooth divorce but need help reaching an agreement on a few key details. If you and your current spouse want open dialogue but see yourselves needing help to find middle ground that is in both of your best interests, this is where divorce mediation comes in.
What is Mediation?
Divorce mediation is a cooperative process of dispute resolution where both spouses meet with a trained family law attorney who serves as a neutral third party. The mediator facilitates discussion, provides legal perspective, and helps couples resolve disagreements around custody, finances, or property division.
The ultimate goal of mediation is to help spouses find compromise in places where there is initially contention and open up the pathway to proceed with an uncontested divorce. When spouses disagree on even one factor of their separation, they will need to go through a costly and often lengthy process, as their case becomes what is called a contested divorce.
For that reason, many couples who either have questions or disagreements look to divorce lawyers for mediation, so they can avoid the additional emotional toll and legal fees that come with a contested divorce.
The Guided Path offers multiple meetings with a neutral attorney mediator and hours of facilitated mediation time. It also includes all services provided in The Clear Path. Otto Family Law’s mediation team provides compassionate and knowledgeable family law advice throughout the process, ensuring both sides feel heard and respected. Our goal is to help you and your current spouse meet in the middle and find a place of agreement on all aspects of your divorce through mediation.
The Strong Path: Contested Divorce
The Strong Path is for those who are struggling to find common ground on how to handle the details of their impending separation. The level of legal support offered is for those who do not wish to try mediation, perhaps have already tried mediation and were unable to see eye to eye, or for people who want a divorce lawyer to stand with them throughout this process.
This path of strong legal representation is for spouses who are facing what is called a contested divorce.
What is a Contested Divorce?
A contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot reach an agreement on one or more issues, such as:
- How marital property, debt, or real estate will be divided
- Ownership of family businesses or investments
- Where shared children will live
- Payment of child support or spousal maintenance
In a contested divorce, both parties typically have their own divorce attorneys who advocate for their respective interests. The process requires significant legal strategy and, if necessary, courtroom advocacy. While this path is often the most demanding, it also ensures that your voice is heard and your legal interests are fully represented.
All contested divorces go through discovery, which is the exchange of financial and personal information. This information is utilized by both parties to enter into an agreement outside of the court or to be used as evidence should the divorce come to trial. During such a stressful and emotional time, it’s essential to have an experienced divorce lawyer on your side who can protect your rights and act as your advocate.
With your decision to take The Strong Path, you’ll receive full-scope legal representation from attorney consultations through settlement negotiations. Otto Family Law’s contested divorce attorneys in Eau Claire bring the strength, skill, and compassion you need to navigate even the most complex cases.
Working with Otto Family Law
No matter which path feels right for you, having dependable support can make all the difference. That’s where Otto Family Law comes in.
Lead family attorney, Lauren Otto, brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work. A mother of two, she knows firsthand how deeply family matters affect every part of life. She founded Otto Law Office in 2011, driven by a desire to provide compassionate legal support to families across the Chippewa Valley. Focusing her practice exclusively on family law, Lauren has dedicated more than 14 years to helping clients navigate some of life’s most difficult moments.
Her experience, empathy, and commitment to her clients have made her one of the most respected family lawyers in Eau Claire and Rice Lake, Wisconsin. The values she built the firm on continue to guide the Otto Family Law Team, who share her commitment to providing compassionate, client-centered support.
With Divorce Your Way, these simplified and effective paths forward reflect Lauren’s mission: to make divorce as manageable and stress-free as possible, no matter the circumstances. Each option is designed to meet clients where they are and provide the right balance of guidance, advocacy, and care.
Divorce Lawyer Free Consultation
Whether you’re pursuing an uncontested divorce, seeking guidance through mediation, or preparing for a contested case, Otto Family Law offers personalized support and expert representation. Call (715) 200-4206 or contact us online to connect with our divorce lawyers in Eau Claire and Rice Lake, Wisconsin, today and book a complimentary consultation to discuss your next steps and find the path that’s right for you.
For immediate information about your path forward, read more about Divorce Your Way.