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Wisconsin Family Law Insider
All about navigating Family Law in Wisconsin — your resource for practical answers on divorce, child custody, property division, and other family legal matters. Join Managing Partner Holly Mullin as she sits down with our experienced attorneys to tackle the questions Wisconsin residents ask most.
Our podcast cuts through legal complexity to deliver straightforward guidance on Wisconsin's unique family law landscape. Whether you're facing a family legal challenge now or planning for the future, we provide insights that matter.
Sterling Lawyers believes everyone deserves clear understanding of their legal rights and options. Subscribe to "Wisconsin Family Law Insider" for reliable information from attorneys who are dedicated to helping Wisconsin families through difficult transitions.
Find more resources and connect with our team at www.sterlinglawyers.com/wisconsin/ where we continue our commitment to accessible family law guidance.
Episodes
68 episodes
Wisconsin Separation vs Divorce: The Legal Difference Most Couples Miss - #68
Thinking legal separation is just a lighter version of divorce? That assumption leads a lot of Wisconsin couples to a decision they have to undo later.Legal separation and divorce in Wisconsin go through nearly the same court process — p...
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5:15
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Wisconsin Divorce Myth: You Don't Have to Separate Before Filing - #67
Waiting to file for divorce because you haven't moved out yet? That delay is based on a requirement Wisconsin law never actually imposed.Wisconsin has no separation requirement before filing for divorce. Jeff Hughes, attorney and founder...
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3:16
Wisconsin Divorce Filing: Where You File Can Make or Break Your Case - #66
Filing Wisconsin divorce papers in the wrong county creates jurisdiction problems forcing you to start over or splitting divorce and custody decisions across different states. Wisconsin divorce filing requires six months state residency and 30 ...
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4:39
Wisconsin Child Support Modification: When and How to Change Your Order - #65
Your Wisconsin ex-spouse doubled their income but you waited six months to file for child support modification and now the court won't retroactively adjust the underpayment you're owed. Wisconsin child support modification requires proving subs...
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13:13
Wisconsin Divorce Is Taking Too Long? Here's How to Cut the Wait - #64
You're filing for Wisconsin divorce expecting the 120-day minimum but worried your case will drag on for years due to court backlogs and spouse delays. Wisconsin's mandatory 120-day waiting period can't be shortened, but couples can avoid exten...
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4:16
Wisconsin Gray Divorce: Breaking Down the Real Costs in 2026 - #63
Divorcing over 50 in Wisconsin means facing costs from $4,000 for uncontested cases to over $100,000 for highly contested battles over retirement accounts, businesses, and property accumulated over decades. Wisconsin gray divorce expenses inclu...
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6:23
Wisconsin Gray Divorce: How to Divide Retirement Without Losing to Taxes - #62
You're dividing Wisconsin retirement accounts in your gray divorce by withdrawing your half directly and now facing massive tax bills and early withdrawal penalties you didn't expect. Wisconsin retirement division requires QDROs for 401(k)s and...
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4:36
Wisconsin Custody Modification: What You Can Actually Change - #61
Your Wisconsin custody order isn't working anymore and you want to modify it, but the court won't reopen your case unless you meet strict legal standards proving substantial change in circumstances. Wisconsin custody modification requires eithe...
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5:08
Guardian ad Litem Wisconsin: What Happens When You Disagree With the GAL - #60
Wisconsin mediation failed and the court appointed a Guardian ad Litem who's now investigating your parenting, interviewing your children, and making custody recommendations you fear will determine the outcome. Guardian ad Litems are specially ...
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28:20
Wisconsin Property Division: How Judges Value Your Contributions in Divorce - #59
You sacrificed your Wisconsin career to raise children and support your spouse's advancement, now you're worried the court will ignore your contributions and split everything 50/50 regardless. Wisconsin property division starts with equal presu...
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6:48
Wisconsin Maintenance: How to Document Income Changes for Modification - #58
You lost your Wisconsin job but waited months to file for maintenance modification and now owe thousands in back support the court won't reduce retroactively. Wisconsin maintenance modification requires immediate filing with documented proof of...
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5:01
Wisconsin Divorce Attorney: Here’s Why Most Cases Take Forever - #57
You're ready to move forward with your Wisconsin divorce and expect it to be done in a few months, but most divorces take six months to a year or longer. Sterling Lawyers Lead Attorney and CEO Jeff Hughes reveals what affects Wisconsin divorce ...
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5:45
Wisconsin Alimony Calculator: How to Actually Calculate - #56
You're using online Wisconsin alimony calculators expecting accurate payment estimates, but those calculators use formulas from other states while Wisconsin judges determine spousal maintenance case by case without any standard formula. Wiscons...
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5:39
Wisconsin Divorce: How Temporary Orders Protect Your Time with Kids - #55
You walked into your Wisconsin temporary order hearing thinking it was just a formality and walked out with custody, financial, and housing arrangements you'll be stuck with for months that could become your permanent reality. Sterling Law Offi...
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29:10
Prenups in Wisconsin: What Property Does a Prenuptial Agreement Protect? - #54
Someone just suggested a prenup and now you're wondering if it means your partner doesn't trust you or if it'll even hold up when things fall apart. Wisconsin prenuptial agreements override community property's 50/50 default division, but court...
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6:08
Wisconsin Child Custody: The Guardian ad Litem Mistake Parents Make - #53
The Wisconsin court just appointed a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in your custody case, and you're panicking. GALs in Wisconsin don't represent you or your child—they investigate living conditions, interview witnesses, review records, and recommend ...
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Episode 53
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5:52
Custody in Wisconsin: How to Protect Your Rights After Abandonment - #52
You're raising your child alone in Wisconsin after the other parent disappeared—no contact, no support, nothing—and you're wondering if this abandonment gives you legal options for custody or terminating their parental rights. Wisconsin abandon...
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Episode 52
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5:23
Divorce Debt in Wisconsin: What Happens When Your Ex Doesn’t Pay - #51
Your Wisconsin divorce decree says your ex is responsible for the credit card debt—yet creditors are calling you demanding payment and destroying your credit score. Dividing marital debt in Wisconsin divorce isn't just about who takes which bal...
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Episode 51
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17:44
Divorce in Wisconsin: Why Cheating Doesn't Matter in Court - #50
You assume you need proof of cheating or abuse to file for divorce in Wisconsin, or that your spouse can block the divorce by refusing to cooperate. Wisconsin divorce law operates under a single no-fault standard—irretrievable breakdown of the ...
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Episode 50
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4:57
Wisconsin Divorce: What Debts Are You Responsible For (The Answer Will Shock You) - #49
Your spouse racked up thousands in credit card debt—or you're fighting to keep your house and that 3% mortgage rate. You assume the spending spouse takes the debt, right? Wrong. Wisconsin's community property law says you're equally responsible...
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Episode 49
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17:07
Wisconsin Father's Rights: Do This First to Make It Legal - #48
You’re a dad in Wisconsin, but unless you’re married to the mother, the law doesn’t automatically recognize you. Even if your name is on the birth certificate, you may have zero custody or placement rights until you take action. In this episode...
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Episode 48
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6:19
Wisconsin Alimony: How to Change Your Spousal Support Payment - #47
Your friend paid half the marriage length. The online calculator says something completely different. Your attorney won't give you a straight answer. Alimony in Wisconsin is a scary part of divorce because there are no standard formulas—just ju...
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Episode 47
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13:35
Wisconsin Divorce Cost: What You'll Actually Pay in 2025 - #46
You've heard horror stories about divorces costing tens of thousands and draining your finances. But what does a Wisconsin divorce actually cost in 2025—and more importantly, what makes costs skyrocket from $3,000 to $100,000? Sterling Lawyers ...
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Episode 46
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7:07
Alimony in Wisconsin: The Scary Truth No One Tells You - #45
Alimony in Wisconsin is the scariest part of divorce because there are no standard formulas—just judicial discretion that varies judge to judge, even within the same county. Sterling Law Offices Managing Partner Holly Mullin and Senior Partner ...
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Episode 45
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16:33
Child Support in Wisconsin: When Does It Really End? - #44
You thought child support in Wisconsin ended when your child turned 18. You stopped paying—or stopped expecting payments. Then you got hit with an enforcement notice or penalties. Sterling Lawyers Lead Attorney and CEO Jeff Hughes reveals why t...
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Episode 44
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5:44