When getting a divorce in Wisconsin, you will need to understand the different types of alimony that are available to you. Alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance that one spouse provides to the other spouse after a divorce. In this blog post, we will discuss the four types of alimony that are available in Wisconsin: temporary support, permanent support, lump-sum support, and reimbursement support. We will provide an overview of each type of alimony and explain how it works. If you are getting divorced in Wisconsin, it is important to understand these four types of alimony so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your family.

At The Ohiku Law Office, expert Divorce Attorney Odalo Ohiku  has over 15 years experience guiding clients through the divorce process. He has extensive experience with the most sensitive topics around divorce, including child custody and placement, dispute resolution strategies, alimony, and more. Contact The Ohiku Law Office today to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation and find out which type of alimony is best for you.

What is Alimony?

Alimony is monetary support paid by one spouse to another after divorce. Alimony is not awarded in all divorce cases, and is only awarded after careful consideration of many factors by a divorce court judge. In Wisconsin, there are four types of alimony that can be awarded: temporary support, permanent support, lump-sum support, and reimbursement support. Let’s take a closer look at each type of alimony.

Temporary Support

Temporary support is financial assistance that is paid during the divorce proceedings. This type of alimony is designed to help the spouse who is less financially stable get by until a final decision is made about spousal support. Temporary support can be awarded for a set period of time or it can be granted on an indefinite basis. The amount of temporary support that is awarded will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.

Permanent Support

Permanent support is financial assistance that is paid after the divorce proceedings have ended. This type of alimony is designed to help the spouse who is less financially stable on a permanent basis. Permanent support can be awarded for a set period of time or it can be granted on an indefinite basis. The amount of permanent support that is awarded will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.

Lump-sum Support

Lump-sum support is a one-time payment that is made to the spouse who is less financially stable. This type of alimony is designed to help the spouse with a one-time need, such as the purchase of a new home or the payment of legal fees. Lump-sum support can be paid in addition to other types of alimony or it can be paid instead of other types of alimony. The amount of lump-sum support that is awarded will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.

Reimbursement Support

Reimbursement support is financial assistance that is paid to the spouse who has contributed to the other spouse’s education or training. This type of alimony is designed to reimburse the contributing spouse for their expenses. Reimbursement support can be awarded for a set period of time or it can be granted on an indefinite basis. The amount of reimbursement support that is awarded will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.

If you are getting divorced in Wisconsin, it is important to understand these four types of alimony so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your family. Speak with a Milwaukee divorce lawyer like Odalo Ohiku to learn more about your options and get advice on which type of alimony is best for you.

Thanks for reading! We hope this blog post was helpful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the experts at The Ohiku Law Office. We would be happy to help.

In almost all circumstances, divorce creates stress. When a divorce is contested, it can be even more stressful for everyone involved. However, contested divorce can also be a tool used to ensure the divorce is settled fairly for both parties. If you’re considering divorce and anticipate disagreements with your spouse, it is highly likely your divorce will be contested.

Read on to learn more about contested divorce and how you can lessen your stress throughout the process. For questions or to discuss your particular situation, contact experienced Milwaukee divorce attorney Odalo Ohiku at The Ohiku Law Offices in Milwaukee.

Defining Contested Divorce

A divorce is considered contested when the involved parties disagree on one or more of the issues at hand. A divorce could be contested because only one party wants the divorce while the other does not. A contested divorce may also happen when the involved parties disagree on child custody arrangements, child support and placement, alimony, how to split up assets, or another major issue.

An uncontested divorce is when both parties agree on most or all major issues, are willing to work together, and make the decision to divorce collaboratively. This is a far less common scenario than contested divorce.

Contested Divorce Scenario: Only One Party Wants a Divorce

In the State of Wisconsin, only one spouse needs to file for divorce with the justification that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” for a divorce to proceed. The other spouse then needs to respond to the divorce filing within 20 days or the court may decide to proceed with a default divorce in which the filing party gets everything they requested. The only reason the divorce process can be stopped is if both spouses agree to do so.

A scenario in which only one party wants a divorce is considered a contested divorce.

The Upside and Downside of Contested Divorce

It may be hard to imagine an upside to contested divorce, but it can be an important tool in ensuring the outcome of a divorce is fair to all parties involved. When spouses disagree on critical issues like child placement, child custody, and alimony, their divorce becomes contested and goes in front of a judge for litigation. This means an objective, experienced third party (the judge) will have the final word on the outcome of these important decisions after weighing what is fair and in the best interest of all parties.

A contested divorce that goes in front of a judge for litigation is also important in a situation in which one spouse is manipulative, abusive, or tries to impede the divorce process from coming to a fair conclusion. The judge can take all information into account and render a judgement that is legally binding and fair to both parties despite the efforts of one to impede the process.

Contested divorces do have their downsides. Usually, a contested divorce takes significantly longer than an uncontested divorce. At minimum, a contested divorce will take four months, though some can take years. The quicker the spouses can come to an agreement or compromise on all issues, the quicker the divorce process will conclude. Because they take longer, contested divorces are generally more costly and stressful.

Contested Divorce Scenario: Spouses Agree on Everything Except One Issue

A divorce is considered contested even if spouses agree on all major issues but one. Divorce can become an extremely complex process for people with children and/or considerable assets to be divided. Child custody, placement, and support are highly emotional and nuanced issues that can spur major disagreement and cause a divorce to become contested so it can be litigated in court. Contestation of a divorce is also necessary when parties disagree on how to divide assets; even though Wisconsin is a marital property state, meaning assets are divided evenly between divorcing spouses; there is a lot of grey area. Intervention by a divorce court can lead to a fairer settlement when one or both parties disagree on how assets should be divided.

The Best Tool for Navigating Contested Divorce

Divorce isn’t easy, and a contested divorce can quickly become overwhelming. If you’re facing a contested divorce, the best thing you can do for yourself, your spouse, your children, and your assets is to hire an experienced Milwaukee divorce attorney. An attorney will be able to assess your particular situation, answer questions, provide expert guidance, communicate with the courts and judges, assist with paperwork, and help you avoid common roadblocks and mistakes.

Divorce doesn’t just affect the spouses. Hiring an attorney with the knowledge and compassion to handle delicate divorce cases involving children is critical. Attorney Odalo Ohiku of The Ohiku Law Offices of Milwaukee has extensive experience with child custody and placement and alternative dispute resolution so you only need to make one call.

For questions about contested divorce or to get started working with one of Wisconsin’s premiere divorce attorneys, contact The Ohiku Law Offices today.

High net worth couples considering divorce have many things to consider along their journey. While the divorce process looks similar for couples with lower net worth and fewer assets, high net worth couples will face certain complexities that others may not. Child custody, alimony, prenuptial agreements, and division of assets are just some of the issues at play when a couple with considerable assets decides to divorce.

The following article lays out some details about how high net worth divorce may differ from the divorce of a lower net worth couple. Each divorce is unique, so for details and added knowledge about your specific situation, contact expert Milwaukee Divorce Attorney Odalo J. Ohiku of The Ohiku Law Office today.

High Net Worth Divorce & Child Custody and Placement

In Wisconsin, child custody and placement can be decided by the parents through mediation or by court order — but is always determined with the best interests of the child in mind. Commonly, both parents have joint custody as long as both are deemed to be fit and proper persons by the court, meaning each has an equal share in decision-making when it comes to the child.

Placement refers to the amount of time a child or children spend in the care of one or both parents. While the children are placed in the care of one parent, that parent retains the right to make routine daily decisions about the child’s care. When a court determines a placement schedule, as long as they deem both parents fit to be around the children, they outline an arrangement that allows the child regular, meaningful periods of interaction with both parents.

Child support is paid by one parent when the placement arrangement dictates that the child spends less than 25% of their time, or 92 nights per year, with that parent. The amount of child support is set as a percentage of that parent’s income – 17% for one child. This is where high net worth couples’ experience may differ from others’. Those with higher income will pay a larger sum in child support as a result of this calculation, which is logical given that the child in question may have been used to a lifestyle commensurate with living with parents who make a higher income.

Child custody, placement, and child support are highly complex and each situation is unique. For questions, contact Attorney Odalo Ohiku today.

Prenuptial Agreements & High Net Worth Divorce

In general, it is more common for a high net worth couple to have a prenuptial agreement, as each party may bring more wealth and assets to the marriage and are interested in protecting those assets in the event of a divorce. As long as a court determines a prenuptial agreement to be valid, the arrangement set forth by this document may impact processes such as the payment of alimony and division of assets — major considerations for high net worth couples.

Division of Assets & High Net Worth Divorce

High net worth couples often have a complex portfolio of assets that will need to be distributed as part of the divorce process. Wisconsin is a marital property (or community property) state, meaning all income and assets procured during the course of a marriage are divided equally between spouses in the event of a divorce – with some caveats. However, that doesn’t mean each asset is easy to split down the middle, and high net worth couples are more likely to have more assets that are not easily split – like multiple homes, vehicles, businesses, or antiques. If the couple cannot agree on how their assets should be divided through a mediation or arbitration process, the court will have to intervene and the process can take a long time.

Divorce is always complex, and divorce between high net worth individuals is even more so. Attorney Odalo J. Ohiku is the greater Milwaukee divorce attorney more high net worth couples turn to. He also has expertise in mediation, arbitration, child custody and placement, and more. Call The Ohiku Law Office today with questions or to schedule your appointment.

For some high-net worth individuals considering divorce, alternative dispute resolution is a viable alternative to traditional litigation. Alternative dispute resolution strategies include mediation and arbitration and can be more flexible and efficient than taking a divorce case through the court system.

But what is the difference between mediation and arbitration? How do you know which strategy is right for your unique situation? At The Ohiku Law Office, experienced Divorce Attorney Odalo Ohiku supports high-net worth clients like you through your divorce by offering innovative strategies that settle conflicts and help families heal.

Read on to understand more about mediation, arbitration, and whether one of these strategies can help you during your divorce process.

Understanding Mediation

Divorce mediation has become more and more common, particularly among spouses with children. In mediation, the divorcing parties voluntarily agree to come to the table with a neutral representative called a mediator (usually an attorney with experience in mediation). The mediator has both parties sign a confidentiality agreement which protects each person’s ability to speak freely at the mediation table without fear that their words will be used against them in the future. Without taking sides, the mediator guides the parties in both joint and private discussions to find resolutions that are satisfactory for everyone. Resolutions are non-binding and can be revisited in the future should the needs of the family change.

Pros and Cons of Mediation

The goal of mediation is to avoid entering the court system while ensuring a divorce process that is thoughtful, respectful, and balanced. Mediation is an excellent solution for spouses who have decided to divorce but are still on amicable terms and who believe they could come to a divorce agreement through thoughtful discussion. Mediation is also a wonderful solution for divorce-seekers with children looking to create a custody arrangement that works for everyone. Mediation also usually takes less time than a traditional lawsuit and allows for flexibility in when and where the meetings happen.

However, mediation is not always the best option. For high-net worth individuals with a complex portfolio of assets to divide, going through the formal court system may actually be the most efficient route. For divorcing spouses who are not on amicable terms and have difficulty coming to agreement on important issues, mediation may end in a stalemate with the divorce taken to the court system anyway.

Understanding Arbitration

Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution strategy that is more formal than mediation, yet less formal than taking your divorce case through the court system. In arbitration, the divorcing spouses hire an arbitrator (usually a lawyer or judge) to hear their arguments and review evidence in their divorce case. The arbitrator then makes a judgement in the case that is binding – just like if you were in a courtroom with a judge.

Arbitration is different from formal court proceedings in that it is private and the divorcing spouses select and hire their arbitrator. Further, while you will still present evidence and arguments, these processes are less formal than they would be in a courtroom.

Pros and Cons of Arbitration

Like mediation, arbitration is usually more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective than traditional litigation. Unlike mediation, arbitration is a formal process that ends in a binding judgement. People who choose arbitration to settle their divorce generally find the element of privacy a benefit. It is also usually easier to schedule a hearing with an arbitrator than waiting for a court date, so the whole process is smoother and takes less time.

The biggest con of arbitration for those considering divorce is that the decision of the arbitrator is binding in almost all cases. So, if one or both spouses do not like the final decision, they do not have the option of appealing the decision or going back to court.

Alternative dispute resolution strategies like mediation and arbitration can lighten the emotional and mental load of divorce, and The Ohiku Law Office is here to help you understand your options. Attorney Odalo Ohiku is an experienced mediator and arbitrator and has helped hundreds of local individuals and families work through the divorce process in a healthy and supportive way.

Experienced Divorce Attorney Odalo Ohiku is passionate about supporting his clients throughout the divorce process by offering thoughtful alternative dispute resolution solutions. To learn more and discover which strategy is right for you, call The Ohiku Law Office today.