Spousal Support

Legal Help With Spousal Support in Neenah and Appleton

Wisconsin divorce law allows for spousal support orders but does not require them. A judge may order spousal support to be paid as a lump sum or on a regular basis, and the judge may order spousal support to be paid only while the divorce is pending or for a specified period of time after the divorce is final.

Divorcing spouses are often surprised to learn that Wisconsin law does not provide a "spousal support calculator" similar to the child support guidelines used to calculate child support payments. Judges and therefore the spouses and their lawyers have much more leeway to decide whether and how much spousal support should be paid. To protect your financial interests, retain a divorce lawyer with experience and proven strategic skills.

The family law attorneys at Hammett Bellin & Oswald, LLC offer practical advice and powerful advocacy to clients in divorce cases. Our legal team comprises lawyers who are persuasive advocates both at the negotiating table and in the courtroom when negotiation proves unsuccessful. Learn more about our family law practice and contact our Neenah law firm to schedule a consultation.

Factors to consider in alimony negotiations or family court hearings

Wisconsin divorce judges can consider several factors when deciding whether to award spousal support (also called spousal maintenance or alimony). As we build a negotiating strategy in your divorce case, we will examine the history of your marriage to determine how these factors will influence spousal support negotiations in your unique circumstances. The factors include:

• Prenuptial or post-nuptial agreements
• The spouses' ages and physical and emotional health
• The length of marriage
• The spouses' current employment and incomes
• Each spouse's educational background and employment history
• Analysis of a nonworking spouse's ability to achieve financial self-sufficiency
• Child custody decisions
• Marital property division
• Tax consequences of a spousal support award

For answers to questions about divorce and spousal support, schedule a free telephone consultation

Hiring an attorney is an important decision. Hammett Bellin & Oswald, LLC offers free initial phone consultations so that you can discuss your situation with an attorney before deciding to retain our firm to represent you. Please contact our Neenah office and arrange to speak with a family law and spousal maintenance attorney. We serve clients throughout the Fox River Valley and Northeastern Wisconsin.