Division of Property

Divorce and Division of Property: A Neenah and Appleton Law Firm

Wisconsin has different rules for division of marital property than most other states. In every divorce, assets and debts must be divided and allocated between the spouses. Wisconsin is a community property state, which means that assets and debts acquired during the marriage must be divided in half. In other words, the marital property division agreement must award half of each asset and debt to each spouse unless a premarital agreement exists that specifies different rules for the division of marital property.

Community property rules of property division become hotly contested in the following areas, among others:

• When one spouse is self-employed
• When one spouse owns a business, or when both spouses own a business or partnership together
• Division of retirement assets and negotiation of lump-sum payments versus payments upon retirement
• When one spouse claims that a debt acquired during the marriage should not be his or her responsibility

Hiring a divorce attorney who understands the complexities of Wisconsin's laws regarding division of marital property is critical to achieving a property settlement agreement that puts you on solid footing for the future.

The family law practice of Hammett Bellin & Oswald, LLC

Located in Neenah, Hammett Bellin & Oswald, LLC is a Wisconsin law firm that represents both husbands and wives in divorce cases throughout Northeastern Wisconsin. Our attorneys, led by well-respected family law attorney Bill Hammett, offer incisive strategic insight into property division conflicts and work with a network of forensic financial experts whenever necessary to ensure we provide out clients with the best representation possible.

Find answers to your question about marital property division

If you are considering divorce, early legal advice can provide peace of mind and give you practical information about how to prepare for the changes in your life. Early consultation with a divorce lawyer can also give you important insight into how to best prepare yourself for conflicts over financial issues such as division of property and debts.

Hiring an attorney is an important decision. Hammett Bellin & Oswald, LLC offers free initial telephone consultations. We invite you to discuss your situation with one of our lawyers before deciding to retain our firm to represent you. Contact our Neenah office to consult privately with a family law attorney about divorce and marital property division. We serve clients throughout the Fox River Valley and Northeastern Wisconsin.