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alimony lawyer wisconsin

Divergent is Your Spousal Support Advocate

As a spousal maintenance law firm in Wisconsin, our attorneys answer questions about alimony payments and spousal maintenance in Wisconsin. Contact our Milwaukee office for immediate help regarding spousal maintenance payments at (414) 238-1345.

Live closer to one of our other offices? Please call your respective office location:

 

Spousal Maintenance -What is it?

Spousal support or, “spousal maintenance,” as the court refers to it, or “alimony,” as the general public refers to it, is the obligation of one spouse to pay the other spouse after the divorce has been finalized. Its purpose is to ensure that both parties have a fair and equal division of finances based upon each of their earning capabilities, and for the receiving party to maintain a similar standard of living than they had during the course of the marriage. However, a prenuptial agreement may also affect how spousal support is granted. Outside of an agreement, the court has a lot of discretion in regards to spousal support.

Spousal maintenance is just one of many things to consider when determining the cost of your divorce. To look at all the factors influencing your final divorce cost contact the Divergent Family Law experts in Milwaukee, Glendale, Brookfield, Appleton, & Madison, or see also: How much does a divorce cost in Wisconsin?

Know the real cost of your divorce—our Wisconsin spousal maintenance calculator helps you estimate divorce spousal support payments. Also see: 2021 Wisconsin alimony laws

How is Alimony Determined?

In Wisconsin, alimony may be ordered by the court for a fixed period of time after the finalization of the divorce. The court looks at various factors to decide how much alimony is to be granted to one spouse. Common standard factors the courts examine when determining alimony are as follows:

  • How long the marriage lasted
  • The health and age of each party
  • The education level at the time of divorce
  • The earning capacity of the party seeking alimony
  • The tax consequences
  • The previous agreements by the parties

Health insurance benefits are treated similarly to alimony in many cases.

What is an Example of When Spousal Support is Needed?

How to Avoid Paying Spousal Support?

Divorce Maintenance and Buyouts

In Wisconsin, the court may order maintenance (formerly known as spousal support or alimony) when a marriage ends by legal separation or divorce. Maintenance is governed by Wis. Stats. Sec. 767.56(1c). Maintenance is typically awarded in a set monetary amount and time period.

Why Consider a Maintenance Buyout?

In some cases, the parties consider a maintenance buyout, which is a lump sum payment for support in full or in part to eliminate or reduce monthly support payments. Several financial aspects must be considered in a maintenance buyout, such as discounts for taxes, present value of money, remarriage and death of either party.

Lump Sum Payment Advantages:

  • Allow both parties to sever ties and go their separate ways 
  • Offer convenience over smaller monthly payments
  • Are useful for large purchases arising after divorce

Form of Maintenance Buyouts

Oftentimes the maintenance buyout is in the form of an unequal distribution of the property and debt division in a case. After the equalization of property, the maintenance buyout will come from the payor’s half of his or her property division.

Strategies for Maintenance Buyouts

There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to determining a lump sum maintenance buyout. If you're not careful, you could wind up with an unfair divorce settlement agreement. Work with one of the attorneys at Divergent Family Law for the best outcome.

The all-inclusive Wisconsin family law firm

Our awarded legal team will be with you every step of the way to ensure you retain what’s yours and get you what you are entitled to. Contact Divergent Family Law today to discuss your spousal support arrangement.

References: Maintenance Wisconsin State Legislature: 767.56 (1c) (2023). |

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