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I am seeking to divorce my husband of 20 years, who is a permanent resident of the United States from Mexico. I left him nearly five years ago, yet he has moved another woman and her four children into our marital home, forcing my daughter and me to relocate during winter. I suspect he is hiding... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2025
Yes—you can ask the Wisconsin family court to order your husband to pay toward your attorney’s fees. Courts award “contribution” when you show financial need, a disparity in access to funds, or litigation conduct that drives up costs; you can request this both in a temporary order at the... View More
I am divorced from my husband, whom I helped obtain permanent residence in the U.S. from Mexico. He hid $30,000 in an account under his sister's name, which was not disclosed during our divorce proceedings, and I suspect there may be other hidden assets like his 401(k). I'm on Social... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2025
You can ask the Wisconsin court to reopen the divorce judgment based on concealment of assets and fraud; that request can include targeted post-judgment discovery, subpoenas to the bank holding the sister’s account, and an order imposing a constructive trust over any assets proven to be yours. If... View More
I'm in Wisconsin and have been separated from my husband for four years after he moved his girlfriend and her children into our home, forcing me and our now 19-year-old child to leave in the middle of winter. I am seeking a divorce but have limited financial means due to being on Social... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2025
You can start by filing for divorce in Wisconsin and requesting a fee waiver due to your disability income; at the first hearing you can ask for temporary orders for maintenance, exclusive control of essential property, and that he continue paying necessary expenses. You should complete financial... View More
I am looking to get a divorce, but I cannot find my spouse. It has been a year since we last had regular contact. I have tried calling her, but she hangs up. There are no children involved, and I have not started any legal proceedings yet. What can I do in this situation?
answered on Oct 16, 2025
You can start by filing a divorce petition in the Wisconsin county where you live, provided you (or your spouse) have lived in Wisconsin for at least 6 months and in that county for at least 30 days. Wisconsin is no-fault; you need only state that the marriage is irretrievably broken.... View More
I'm going through a divorce after 45 years of marriage and recently received money from my mother's estate, which I used to buy a new vehicle, put a new roof on our house, and placed the remainder in a 12-month CD. My spouse consented to these uses of the inheritance, and I have legal and... View More
answered on Sep 16, 2025
In most states, an inheritance you receive during marriage is generally considered separate property and can be excluded from marital assets, as long as it is kept separate and not commingled with marital funds. Since your mother’s estate funds were used for specific purposes like buying a... View More
I live in Wisconsin. My spouse and I filed for divorce but have since decided to reconcile. We want to draft a postnuptial agreement where we each keep our own retirement accounts, and my spouse keeps his business. We agreed to this voluntarily and have had lawyers involved. The agreement will be... View More
answered on Sep 16, 2025
In Wisconsin, a postnuptial agreement can be valid even after filing for divorce, as long as both spouses enter into it voluntarily, with full disclosure of assets, and without coercion or fraud. The fact that you filed for divorce and then reconciled does not automatically invalidate the... View More
I'm seeking advice on obtaining alimony after a 7-year marriage marked by infidelity. We have no children, and I am currently unemployed while my husband is employed. We haven't filed for divorce yet. What are my options for receiving alimony in this situation?
answered on Sep 2, 2025
In Wisconsin, alimony is referred to as maintenance, and it’s not automatic. Courts look at factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, health, education, and financial resources. A 7-year marriage is considered shorter, so long-term maintenance is less common, but... View More
I recently discovered that my wife, whom I have been married to for six years, is also married to a U.S. citizen. We are not divorced, and I would like to take legal action. I found out about her other marriage a couple of weeks ago. What legal steps can I take?
answered on Jul 5, 2025
A six‐figure demand can be justified if you can tie those numbers to real losses and lasting harm to your reputation.
Begin by calculating your actual economic damages—lost wages, canceled shifts, reduced tips or bookings—and gather evidence showing how that specific accusation caused... View More
I am currently separated from my husband but not legally. My husband sold a vehicle that we both owned, where I was a silent cosigner, and financed another vehicle without communicating with me. Is this legal, and can I contest the sale and purchase?
answered on Jul 6, 2025
In Wisconsin, which follows marital property laws, assets acquired during the marriage are presumed to be jointly owned—regardless of how they are titled. If you were a co-owner or even just a cosigner on the vehicle, your husband had a legal and financial obligation to consult you before selling... View More
I am planning to file for divorce as my marriage is failing. We have a 15-year-old son, and my main concern is whether my spouse can claim the property that's currently in my name, even though it's not fully paid off, while she has her own property in Milwaukee. We have no agreements in... View More
answered on Jul 6, 2025
In Wisconsin, marital property laws follow the principle of equitable distribution, which means all property acquired during the marriage—regardless of whose name is on the title—is generally presumed to be joint marital property. That includes property you’re still paying off unless you can... View More
I live in Wisconsin and have been married for 11 years. My spouse recently revealed they are transgender and I would like a separation, but my spouse does not. We have no signed prenuptial agreement. We have a house and car that my spouse has agreed I should maintain possession of, as I have been... View More
answered on Jul 6, 2025
If you and your spouse draft a marital agreement while on good terms, that agreement can be enforceable after you file for separation, provided it meets Wisconsin’s legal standards for enforceability. The agreement should be in writing, signed voluntarily by both parties, and include full... View More
In Wisconsin, my spouse and I are planning to file for divorce jointly, pro se. We are both in agreement on all terms, have no children, and have no unresolved matters. We have not yet filed the initial paperwork and are getting ready to do so. Do we need to serve papers to each other, or is... View More
answered on Jun 11, 2025
You're in a good place to move forward with a peaceful divorce, and it’s smart that you’re sorting out the details ahead of time. In Wisconsin, when both spouses file together as joint petitioners in a divorce, formal service of papers is not required. Since you’re both signing and... View More
In a Wisconsin divorce where my spouse and I are filing jointly, pro se, without military involvement and no children, is the GF-175 Declaration of Non-Military Service form required? The Wisconsin court website is unclear on its use, and we have not yet filed any paperwork.
answered on Jun 11, 2025
You're asking a great question, and it's good that you're trying to get everything right before you file. In Wisconsin, the GF-175 Declaration of Non-Military Service is typically used in default divorce cases where one spouse is not participating in the proceedings. Its purpose is... View More
I got divorced over 6 years ago but do not have the divorce decree. I am planning to get married again but am concerned about not having the decree. I wasn't the one who filed for the divorce, so I am unsure where it was filed. I haven't tried contacting any local or state resources, and... View More
answered on May 15, 2025
It’s understandable to feel uncertain, especially when you're ready to move forward with your life but don’t have all the paperwork in hand. In Wisconsin, you are required to prove that you are legally divorced before getting remarried. The marriage license application usually asks for the... View More
I have a QDRO from a divorce finalized in New York dated 02/24/2005, and I now reside in Wisconsin. Recently, I received a letter from Local 825 in New Jersey regarding this order, but I'm having difficulty understanding it. The letter pertains to his pension and retirement accounts. I'm... View More
answered on May 15, 2025
You’re not alone in feeling confused—QDROs can be incredibly technical, especially when multiple states and retirement plans are involved. Since your original QDRO was issued in New York in 2005 and you now live in Wisconsin, the good news is that you don’t need to start from scratch. QDROs... View More
My daughter, who is on disability social security, needs to start the divorce process. She has one child who is 10 years old, and there are no significant assets involved. We are in need of legal representation and document preparation. Are there any pro bono or low-cost legal services available... View More
answered on Apr 27, 2025
Legal Action of Wisconsin is a primary resource that provides civil legal services for low-income Wisconsin residents, with specific assistance for divorce, child custody/support, and disability-related matters. They have offices throughout Wisconsin including Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison,... View More
My husband and I are in the process of separating, and recently he took money from my Usbank account, which only has my name on it, and transferred it to our joint Chase account. He is not an authorized user on my Usbank account. I contacted the bank and filed a police report, and was informed that... View More
answered on Apr 13, 2025
Based on banking and family law principles, the situation you describe raises significant legal concerns about unauthorized account access. Under federal banking regulations, specifically Regulation E and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, financial institutions are required to protect accounts from... View More
I am currently undergoing a Wisconsin divorce, and we have agreed to partially transfer part of a conventional IRA between parties. Our paperwork is in progress, and I want to know if a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QRDO) is necessary for transferring funds from an IRA account.
answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Wisconsin, dividing an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) during a divorce does not require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). Instead, IRAs can be divided through a process known as a "transfer incident to divorce." This method allows the transfer of IRA assets between... View More
In June 2024, I filed for divorce, but my spouse refused to sign because I requested maintenance. She drained all our accounts, leaving me just enough money for food and necessities. Eventually, the case was dismissed, but she re-filed, and I've been served again. I've had to use money... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2025
Given your financial situation, there are several steps you can take to ensure you are still able to protect your interests during the divorce proceedings. First, you may want to explore whether you are eligible for free or reduced-cost legal aid. Many organizations provide assistance to... View More
When my daughter turns 18 and graduates from high school in June, the conditions of our divorce decree concerning child support will be met. Do I need to file anything with a judge to officially end the child support, or will it automatically terminate once these conditions are fulfilled?
answered on Apr 13, 2025
In most cases, child support will not automatically stop when the conditions in your divorce decree are met, such as your daughter turning 18 and graduating from high school. While your decree may state that child support ends at this point, it’s usually a good idea to file a formal motion with... View More
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