Common Mistakes Made in Wisconsin Divorces and How to Avoid Them
Practiced Wisconsin family law attorneys protect their clients from these common mistakes made during divorce
Because divorce is almost always a complicated process, it is not uncommon for at least one party to make a mistake at some point during the divorce process. However, some mistakes seem to be more common than others, and are seen throughout far too many divorce proceedings. The experienced divorce lawyers of Bandle & Zaeske, LLP have a vast knowledge and understanding of the complicated divorce process and are passionate about using this experience to protect you from common divorce mistakes while keeping your best interests in mind.
Not preparing for your financial future
When a couple has reached the point of divorcing, they have often spent a lot of time previously preparing for their financial future as a couple. Unfortunately, far too many individuals fail to prepare for their own financial security and future during the divorce process, a mistake which can be extremely costly for years to come.
There are many future financial considerations which need to be considered when making financial decisions and negotiations during the divorce process including division of assets such as insurance and retirement funds, child support, and spousal support payments. You need to consider how your future may change your financial obligations, and fully understand all aspects of each type of financial agreement being made.
While child support payments and spousal support payments may seem to provide the same type of support and financial obligation, taxes on these payments are handled differently, which can have a significant impact on your financial future. Child support payments are a better agreement for the person receiving the support because the taxes are paid by the person making payments, while spousal support payments are a better agreement for the person making payments because the taxes are paid by the person receiving the payments.
Unintentionally being cut out of your children’s lives
It is surprisingly common for recently separated couples to seemingly agree on how child custody and time sharing will be handled, resulting in vague agreements which leave one party with too much control and the other party with too few rights. This may be fine while the parties are agreeing and handling these complicated issues well, but it is very likely the parties will disagree at some point in the future, and these agreements are extremely difficult to change in the future if disagreements occur.
While the template for the parenting plan may seem straight forward and easy to fill out, it does not necessarily account for the many small details you should be considering when making an agreement, and it is easy for one parent to unintentionally agree to the other parent having too much legal custody and placement rights. Then when disagreements between the parents occur in the future, a vengeful parent has the legal right to keep the children away from the other parent for extended periods of time because of the wording of the parenting plan agreement.
Trying to represent yourself through the entire divorce process
In the state of Wisconsin, you are not required to hire an attorney to represent you during your divorce process. In many divorce cases, couples will choose to represent themselves, known as pro se, especially when they are reasonably able to compromise and agree on the details of the divorce. However, representing yourself during any legal proceeding includes many risks which can be difficult and costly to repair later. You are far less likely to make a mistake during your divorce process if you are being represented by a skilled family law divorce attorney who understands every step of the divorce process well.
Established Wisconsin divorce lawyers protect your best interests, guiding you through every step of the divorce process
The compassionate Wisconsin divorce attorneys at Bandle & Zaeske, LLP know the divorce process can be overwhelming and stressful, but we are here to knowledgeably guide you and protect your best interest through every step of the divorce process. Having reliable representation is the best way to protect yourself during divorce. Our office is conveniently located in Milwaukee. Call us at 414-359-1424 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation with a member of our team.