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Madison’s Trusted Divorce Lawyers

Our growing team of family law attorneys has the education, knowledge, and field experience to help you painlessly navigate the Wisconsin divorce process. Our law firm consists of some of the state’s top family law attorneys, including one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Wisconsin appointed by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Our Madison divorce attorneys make sure your divorce experience is as painless as possible while achieving the outcome you hoped for. Our lawyers work closely with you throughout the legal process and make sure you’re aware and okay with every move we make. While most divorces we work with are finalized outside of the courtroom, our attorneys have experience with trial divorces and know how to appeal a ruling if it comes down to it successfully.

The cost of hiring a divorce attorney at Divergent Family Law will never be a surprise. Our Madison office is upfront and transparent about how much our legal services will cost. Our divorce clients never have to worry about hidden costs or fees because they don’t exist.

If you’re looking for a strong, reliable family law attorney to help guide you through the divorce process, contact the divorce lawyers at our Madison family law office today.

Steps to Divorce in Madison, WI

Step 1

Contact Us & Schedule

Contact our office to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced Milwaukee divorce lawyers at a convenient time for you.

Step 2

Attend your free consultation

At the consultation, we’ll listen to understand your unique situation and explain how our team can help you through each step from start to finish.

Step 3

Work with our family and divorce lawyers

Our compassionate legal team will advise you, handle all required filings and zealously represent your best interests throughout the proceedings.

Step 4

Divorce mediation or court hearing

We will pursue alternative mediation if possible to reach an amicable agreement out of court. We’re also prepared to forcefully advocate for you at any required hearings.

Step 5

Finalize divorce

After fulfilling the mandatory waiting period, we’ll ensure your divorce is properly finalized in court and address all outstanding issues.

Choose the Divorce Option That's Right For You

While divorce is never easy, choosing the appropriate legal process can help minimize stress. Our attorneys guide you in understanding the different divorce options to determine the best fit for your unique situation.

Uncontested Divorce

If you and your spouse can reach agreements on all terms like asset division, custody and spousal support, an uncontested divorce allows for faster, more affordable and low-conflict resolution.

Contested Divorce

In cases where spouses cannot mutually agree, a judge will make the final decision on any unresolved matters after each party presents evidence. Contested divorces tend to involve more adversarial in court, added expenses and extended timelines to complete the process.

Mediated Divorce

In mediation, a neutral third party facilitates cooperative negotiation between spouses to reach mutually agreeable terms. Mediation encourages open communication and allows you an active role in determining the outcome.

Annulments

Certain circumstances like fraud, failure to consummate, bigamy or incapacity at the time of marriage may qualify to have the marriage fully annulled or voided as if it never legally existed. An annulment relieves both parties of all marital rights and responsibilities.

Factors That May Affect Your Divorce

Length of the marriage

Children

Jointly Owned Assets or Debts

Income Disparity

Business Ownership

Employment Status

History of domestic violence, substance abuse or criminal history

Family Law Services in Madison

We offer support and legal guidance in Madison for:

Child Custody

Divergent Family Law helps parents navigate legal and physical child custody determinations during Wisconsin divorces. Wisconsin courts aim for arrangements allowing both parents to remain actively involved, but we will help advocate for solutions aligning with your child’s best interests – whether you would like to pursue sole or joint custody. We will also help you through the process of modifying custody or placement if circumstances change. Our attorneys take the time to understand your family’s dynamics to pursue a custody outcome to benefit your children’s well-being in the long run.

Child Support

Our lawyers ensure child support orders are fair and in compliance with Wisconsin guidelines based on income and child-related expenses. We protect your rights while calculating appropriate financial obligations for your unique situation. Child support amounts can vary significantly, so it’s crucial to have an accurate understanding of what you may owe or be owed.

Use our Wisconsin child support calculator tool to get an initial estimate of monthly payments based on factors like custody arrangements and medical expense costs. Our attorneys go beyond basic calculations to advocate for any adjustments needed due to special circumstances like specialized education or medical needs.

Divorce Mediation

For those seeking to avoid adversarial court battles, our mediators foster a cooperative environment to resolve divorce issues like property division and co-parenting plans out of court. Mediation allows you to have an active voice in crafting divorce terms you can both agree on, rather than leaving it entirely to a judge. It’s typically a much less expensive and less stressful option than litigation.

Paternity

We assist with legally establishing paternity, which determines visitation rights and child support responsibilities for fathers. Taking this step to confirm the biological father is important for pursuing parental rights and ensuring children receive fair financial support. Our lawyers handle paternity cases skillfully whether the parents are married or not.

High Net Worth

Our experienced Milwaukee divorce attorneys skillfully divide complex assets and finances in divorces involving significant wealth and property like businesses or trusts. With high net worth cases, properly valuing and equitably distributing assets is crucial to protecting your interests and investments. We apply a sophisticated understanding of tax implications, asset transfers, business valuations and more.

Military

For military members and spouses, we provide specialized guidance in navigating jurisdictional issues, military benefits and the unique challenges surrounding deployments and relocation. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of how military service and frequent moves impact divorce proceedings. We ensure your entitled benefits like pensions and healthcare are properly divided and we diligently represent your interests even when handling a multi-state or international divorce case.

Flexible Divorce Payment Plans for Madison Families

Turn to Divergent Family Law in Madison for compassionate guidance protecting your rights and future. Our award-winning attorneys provide flexible payment plans to make top-tier legal representation accessible to local families.

We’re proud to serve Madison and communities throughout Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, Brookfield, Glendale, Appleton and Madison. Contact us to learn more about divorce costs, timelines and how we can strategically protect your interests.

What’s Next?

You don’t have to walk the divorce path alone. Our compassionate Madison divorce lawyers provide skilled legal guidance to protect your future every step of the way. Whether you need assistance with alimony, child support, obtaining records, dividing property or any other family law matter, we are here to help.

Contact Divergent Family Law today to schedule a private, no-obligation consultation. We serve families from Lake Country, to Germantown, to Oak Creek and everywhere in between.

Madison Divorce FAQ

I've been served divorce papers. Now what?
If you’ve been served divorce papers, you have two options. If you choose to ignore the papers, then your divorce will proceed by default, and your spouse will likely be granted any requests made concerning alimony, child custody, child support, asset division, etc. What you should do is find a qualified divorce attorney to advocate for your rights and take action to protect your assets.
How do I file for divorce in Wisconsin?
In order to file for divorce in Wisconsin, you need to have lived in the state for at least 6 months and the county you’ll be filing in for at least 30 days. If you file alone, complete the necessary forms (online in the Wisconsin Court System) to serve your spouse with the divorce papers.
What is a temporary order hearing?
The first court appearance in the divorce process meant to provide temporary solutions for important issues a couple can’t agree on, such as child support, child custody, child placement, alimony, asset division and any other issues. Temporary orders only last until the divorce is finalized but may become permanent if they work well for both parties.
What happens in a divorce trial?
A judge will make decisions based on evidence presented by both parties about issues such as child custody and support, spousal maintenance, property division, etc. that the divorcing couple can’t agree on. Once the trial is over, the terms of the divorce are finalized, and both parties must adhere to them or face legal consequences.
What is a divorce settlement agreement?
A divorce settlement agreement outlines the terms of your divorce, including child custody and support, alimony, debt and asset division and more. Both parties must agree on the terms in the settlement agreement before it’s finalized. A Divergent lawyer can help you negotiate an agreement with your spouse if your divorce is contested.
Can you appeal a divorce settlement?
If you’re unsatisfied with a divorce decree, you can appeal with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Appealing a divorce ruling can be costly and challenging, but with a Divergent attorney's ability to detect errors in the original trial, you can succeed in appealing your divorce decree.
How long does a divorce take in Wisconsin?
Once you file for divorce and papers are served, there is a 120 day waiting period until the divorce hearing for finalization. A standard divorce in Wisconsin typically takes 6-12 months if there are no contested issues.
How much does a divorce cost in Wisconsin?
Depending on your circumstances and whether the divorce is uncontested or contested, costs can range from $1,500 to $40,000. If you're dealing with a high-conflict divorce, don't worry. At Divergent, we charge a flat fee for our services.
How much does divorce mediation cost?
Divorce mediation usually costs between $3,000 and $8,000, making it much cheaper than a traditional divorce. Many mediators charge a flat rate, including Divergent Family Law, which is typically around $4,000 to $5,500.
How much does child support cost in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, child support payments are calculated based on the parent’s income and what percentage placement the parent has with the child (determined by days spent with each parent throughout the year).