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Alimony

Knowledgeable Milwaukee Lawyers Advise on Alimony Issues

Wisconsin firm works to establish fair spousal maintenance terms

Alimony, or spousal maintenance (as it is known in Wisconsin), is often controversial and misunderstood. Whether you expect to make or receive support payments after your marriage ends, strong legal advice can help you protect your rights. At Hart Law Office in Milwaukee, we have delivered exceptional divorce representation to clients for 40 years. Our firm takes a personalized approach to every situation and works to avoid unnecessary cost and stress whenever possible. In many cases, we can formalize a fair maintenance arrangement through a marital settlement agreement, but if you cannot come to terms with your spouse, our lawyers are skilled advocates who have a deep understanding of the legal standards used to make alimony determinations and will press for a fair determination.

Dedicated attorneys outline factors that affect decisions on support

When one spouse seeks support payments as part of a divorce, numerous factors come into play. We take a comprehensive look at the relevant circumstances to present the strongest possible argument on your behalf. Courts have wide leeway to make spousal maintenance rulings, which are usually based on factors such as:

  • Marriage duration — The longer the marriage, the better the likelihood that alimony will be awarded, especially if one spouse has limited their income-earning potential by taking care of the household.
  • Health, education and age — Even when a recently divorced individual who didn’t work outside the home during the marriage wants to rejoin the workforce, there are many obstacles that might prevent him or her from securing an income that meets their needs. Advanced age, lack of education, childcare responsibilities or health problems can lead to a grant of spousal maintenance.
  • Earning ability — In determining spousal support, judges can look at job training, work experience, marketable skills and the time it might take for someone to regain their earning ability.
  • Contributions within the marriage — In some cases, courts recognize that the lives of spouses are so interconnected that one partner’s earning ability often results from the other’s contributions. For instance, one might have helped fund the other’s professional education or handled most of the child-rearing duties while the other advanced their career.

It’s important to understand the law and your rights when it comes to Wisconsin spousal maintenance. Husbands or wives can be awarded payments by the court, and these payments often only last until a recipient spouse can gain the ability to support themselves. Our dedicated family law attorneys will apply the relevant law to your situation so you know what to expect.

Accomplished advocates explain issues of alimony duration and enforcement

Spousal maintenance is designed in part to maintain a divorced person’s standard of living. It is frequently ordered for an amount of time that a judge believes is necessary for someone to build their capacity to support themselves. Payments terminate if a recipient ex-spouse remarries and can be adjusted if they move in with a new partner. Our firm can advise you on what specific circumstances support a spousal maintenance modification. We can also initiate contempt proceedings if a paying ex-spouse fails to honor their obligations under the order.

Contact an experienced Wisconsin divorce lawyer for a free initial consultation

Hart Law Office represents Wisconsin clients in disputes over spousal maintenance and other aspects of divorce litigation. Please call 414-271-1775 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation at our office in Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward. We offer weekend and evening appointments to better serve you.

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      Eric Hart is an experienced attorney who thinks and acts outside the box.  For those who have been falsely accused and are fearing the worst, Eric Hart has your back.  If you’re looking for a criminal defense or family law attorney, you should co...

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      The Hart law firm is extremely professional and very consistent in successful results. All the attorneys at the firm have strong relationships with DA's and judges in both major SE Wisconisn counties. Would highly recommend.

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