FOLLOW THE DIVORCE PROCESS
Where are you in the divorce process? The skilled attorneys at Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C., with three generations of experience behind them, will walk you through each step of the divorce process. If you have questions about starting a divorce action, or have questions about where your case is heading, give us a call! This process chart gives a general outline of a divorce action in the state of Wisconsin. The procedures may vary from county-to-county and case-by-case.
THE CONSULTATION
The first step in deciding whether to file a divorce petition is meeting with the attorney at an initial consultation. When you first meet with an attorney at Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C., we will hear your story and quickly analyze the information you provide us. The attorneys will inform you of the divorce process and what one can expect from submitting a petition for divorce. It is what we like to call "divorce 101." Consultations last for one hour. At the end of the consultation, the attorneys will provide you with our materials folder containing a New Client Worksheet, a blank Financial Disclosure Statement, a Financial Disclosure Check-List, and a blank Parenting Plan (if children are involved).
SUMMONS & PETITION
After the consultation, if you choose to retain an attorney at Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C., your attorney will immediately get the ball rolling and begin drafting your petition for divorce and summons. After the papers are prepared, signed, and notarized we will file the documents with the court of whichever county you are living in and has jurisdiction. We will even move directly into service of process, which you will then fill out a Process Information Form to help our process server.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Perhaps one of the most complicated aspects of a divorce is taking an inventory of all of your assets, debts, and liabilities. Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C.'s Financial Disclosure Check-List and blank Financial Disclosure Statement makes the process a little easier. Once you have filled out the statement, your attorney will meet with you to go over the document line-by-line. Our attorney's will work with you to make sure the document is accurate and complete. Make sure you bring all of the documents on the check-list to the meeting. Once the disclosure statement is assembled and signed, we will send it to the court for filing and mail it to all parties.
TEMPORARY ORDER HEARING
The temporary order hearing will occur shortly after the filing of the petition and the service of process. Your attorney will accompany you to the hearing. It will take place in front of the Court Commissioner assigned to the case. The Commissioner will "lay the ground rules" for the divorce. The order could cover matters of child custody, placement, and support, spousal maintenance, use of property and bank accounts, access to the marital home, and the allocation of debts. Your attorney will help you with what to expect from the temporary order hearing.
STATUS HEARING
The status conference is essentially a "court check-up." It is an appearance in court in which the main item of business is seeing how the case is progressing. Is the case close to a settlement? Does the case need to be scheduled for trial? Your attorney at Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C. will help prepare each client for all court appearances. Our attorneys always attempt to resolve cases by coming to an equitable agreement first, but have the skills to litigate if necessary.
Where are you in the divorce process? The skilled attorneys at Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C., with three generations of experience behind them, will walk you through each step of the divorce process. If you have questions about starting a divorce action, or have questions about where your case is heading, give us a call! This process chart gives a general outline of a divorce action in the state of Wisconsin. The procedures may vary from county-to-county and case-by-case.
THE CONSULTATION
The first step in deciding whether to file a divorce petition is meeting with the attorney at an initial consultation. When you first meet with an attorney at Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C., we will hear your story and quickly analyze the information you provide us. The attorneys will inform you of the divorce process and what one can expect from submitting a petition for divorce. It is what we like to call "divorce 101." Consultations last for one hour. At the end of the consultation, the attorneys will provide you with our materials folder containing a New Client Worksheet, a blank Financial Disclosure Statement, a Financial Disclosure Check-List, and a blank Parenting Plan (if children are involved).
SUMMONS & PETITION
After the consultation, if you choose to retain an attorney at Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C., your attorney will immediately get the ball rolling and begin drafting your petition for divorce and summons. After the papers are prepared, signed, and notarized we will file the documents with the court of whichever county you are living in and has jurisdiction. We will even move directly into service of process, which you will then fill out a Process Information Form to help our process server.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Perhaps one of the most complicated aspects of a divorce is taking an inventory of all of your assets, debts, and liabilities. Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C.'s Financial Disclosure Check-List and blank Financial Disclosure Statement makes the process a little easier. Once you have filled out the statement, your attorney will meet with you to go over the document line-by-line. Our attorney's will work with you to make sure the document is accurate and complete. Make sure you bring all of the documents on the check-list to the meeting. Once the disclosure statement is assembled and signed, we will send it to the court for filing and mail it to all parties.
TEMPORARY ORDER HEARING
The temporary order hearing will occur shortly after the filing of the petition and the service of process. Your attorney will accompany you to the hearing. It will take place in front of the Court Commissioner assigned to the case. The Commissioner will "lay the ground rules" for the divorce. The order could cover matters of child custody, placement, and support, spousal maintenance, use of property and bank accounts, access to the marital home, and the allocation of debts. Your attorney will help you with what to expect from the temporary order hearing.
STATUS HEARING
The status conference is essentially a "court check-up." It is an appearance in court in which the main item of business is seeing how the case is progressing. Is the case close to a settlement? Does the case need to be scheduled for trial? Your attorney at Anderson & Anderson Law Office, S.C. will help prepare each client for all court appearances. Our attorneys always attempt to resolve cases by coming to an equitable agreement first, but have the skills to litigate if necessary.