When parents decide to dissolve their marriage, one of the court’s top concerns during divorce proceedings is ensuring that the children’s best interests are protected. One of the primary ways this is done is by requiring one or both parents to pay child support that will provide for the children’s needs—food, shelter, clothing, personal care, medical expenses, etc. However, while parents are obligated to support their minor children, what happens when children graduate from high school and begin attending college?

Paying for Children’s College Expenses

In Wisconsin, a parent’s requirement to pay child support ends when his or her child turns 18.

Getting married can be a complicated, overwhelming process. As couples plan their wedding, they have several requirements that must must be met. Along with finalizing the guest list, putting down a deposit on the venue, and hiring a photographer, one item that appears on more and more wedding checklists is “Sign the prenup.”

Planning for a divorce before a wedding takes place may seem to be in poor taste, but the fact remains that nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. Therefore, you may want to ensure you are protected in the event your relationship breaks down in the future. However, before you sign a prenuptial agreement, make sure that the agreement fits your needs.

When a Prenuptial Agreement is a Good Idea

Dividing marital property and debts is one of the key tasks in a divorce. Property division can be complex and contentious if many types of assets and debts are involved and the parties do not agree on how to split community property.

Determining Community Property

Wisconsin is a community property state. This means that any assets or debts acquired during the the course of the marriage (or acquired after the married couple moves to Wisconsin) belong to both spouses. Assets can include income earned by either party, investment and retirement accounts, and any property purchased regardless of whose name is on the title.

When one parent seeks to move, the other parent and the children will be undoubtedly impacted, and they may want to object to this huge proposed change. Wisconsin law provides a specific framework for how to initiate and object to relocation proposals.

What the Parent Seeking Relocation Must Do

Wisconsin law outlines what must occur if both parents are given periods of physical placement and the parent with legal custody and physical placement rights wants to move with the child.

Stepparents seek to adopt children for a variety of reasons—the most common being that they provide a substantial amount of care to the children. In this instance it is wise to adopt so that the law and others will recognize this relationship.

For example, if children rely on their stepparent for monetary support, and something were to happen to the stepparent, then the children may not be eligible for certain benefits. Likewise, the stepparent may not have needed access to educational or medical records for the children in the event of an emergency. Adoption can also make the child feel included as his or her last name can be changed to that of the rest of the family.

Termination of the Birth Parent’s Rights