Deciding to end a marriage is never easy. Divorcing couples not only deal with the personal implications of divorce, but they must also contend with the financial and legal consequences of ending their marriage. If you are considering divorce in Wisconsin, you may have many questions about what to expect. You may be unsure of how issues such as property division, alimony, and child custody are handled in Wisconsin. Ending a marriage is often a complicated legal process, especially if the couple owns complex assets, has a high net worth, or shares children. An experienced divorce attorney can answer your questions and help you navigate the legal proceedings.
How Do I File for Divorce?
If you are ready to begin the divorce process, your first step is to file a Summons and Petition for Divorce with the court. The person who initially files for divorce is the petitioner and the other spouse is the respondent. The petitioner must ensure that the respondent is served with the summons and petition, either by serving the respondent the papers himself or herself, asking a friend or relative to serve the divorce papers, or serving the divorce papers via a process server or police officer. The respondent must file a Response and Counterclaim with the court within 20 days.
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