Family Law Lawyers Minnesota + Wisconsin

We guide clients through the legal process of divorce, helping them navigate asset division, custody, and support with clarity and care. Read more. 

When spouses disagree on key terms, we represent clients in contested divorce proceedings with a focus on protecting their rights and interests. Read more.

We assist in fairly dividing marital property and debts, ensuring a just outcome based on state-specific laws and your unique circumstances. Read more.

Our attorneys advocate for fair spousal support (alimony) arrangements, whether seeking or challenging maintenance awards. Read more.

We help parents resolve custody matters in a way that protects the child’s best interests and preserves the parent-child relationship. Read more.

Our team works to establish and enforce parenting time schedules that promote healthy, consistent access for both parents. Read more.

We advise on establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations that reflect financial realities and legal standards. Read more.

When life changes, we help clients seek or defend modifications to divorce or custody orders involving support, custody, or parenting time. Read more.

We draft and negotiate prenuptial agreements that protect individual assets and clarify financial expectations before marriage. 

Our attorneys help spouses formalize financial arrangements during marriage, offering clarity and protection for both parties. Read more.

We help clients seek or respond to Orders for Protection in cases involving domestic abuse, ensuring safety and legal compliance. Read more.

We provide legal support to individuals experiencing or accused of domestic abuse, including emergency protective measures and court representation. Read more.

Our team assists in obtaining or defending against harassment restraining orders in cases involving stalking, threats, or repeated unwanted contact. Read more.

If you believe a legal error occurred in your family law case, we handle appeals with a strategic focus on correcting trial court decisions. 

We offer mediation and other ADR services to help clients resolve family law disputes outside of court, with less conflict and cost. Read more.

Family law is the area of law that deals with some of life’s most personal matters—like divorce, child custody, child support, parenting time, adoption, and spousal maintenance. It’s about more than just paperwork and court dates. At its core, family law is about protecting people and helping them move forward during major life changes, especially when emotions are running high.

How much does a family law lawyer cost? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some family law attorneys charge hourly, others offer flat fees for certain services, and the total cost depends on how complex your situation is. A straightforward divorce with no kids or property is going to cost less than a drawn-out custody dispute. The good news is, many attorneys offer consultations to walk you through what to expect up front.

What does a family law attorney do? A family law attorney is your guide through some of the toughest legal and emotional terrain you’ll face. Whether you’re going through a divorce, figuring out custody, or sorting out financial support, your lawyer helps you understand your rights and options. They handle the legal strategy, draft agreements, advocate for you in court, and keep things moving so you’re not navigating it all alone.

What is the difference between legal separation and divorce? Divorce legally ends your marriage. Legal separation, on the other hand, keeps you married but lets you live separately with a court-approved arrangement for things like custody, support, and property. Some couples choose separation for personal or religious reasons, or to keep shared benefits. But just know—it’s not a middle step to divorce; it’s a legal arrangement of its own.

How is child custody determined? Custody decisions come down to one big question: what’s in the best interest of the child? Courts look at things like each parent’s ability to provide stability, the child’s relationship with each parent, and any concerns about safety or past behavior. There’s legal custody (making decisions about school, health, etc.) and physical custody (where the child lives). Custody can be shared—or awarded to one parent—depending on the situation.

How long does a divorce take in Minnesota or Wisconsin? It depends on how complicated things are. If both spouses agree on everything, a divorce can be finalized in just a few months. But if there are disagreements—especially around kids, finances, or property—it can stretch into a year or longer. The more you and your spouse can resolve early, the faster things will go. A good attorney can help keep the process efficient and focused.

What happens to my business in a divorce? If you or your spouse own a business, it could be considered marital property, especially if it was started or grew during the marriage. That means it might be subject to division. You might need to get the business valued and then negotiate who keeps it—or whether one spouse buys out the other. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, but your lawyer can help protect what you’ve built.

Can I modify a child custody or support order in Minnesota or Wisconsin? Yes, but there has to be a good reason—like a job change, relocation, or shift in the child’s needs or schedule. Courts are open to modifying orders, but only if there’s been a substantial change in circumstances and the new plan still serves the child’s best interests. It’s not automatic, so you’ll need to show why the change makes sense now.

What is the process for filing for divorce in Minnesota or Wisconsin? It starts when one spouse files a petition for divorce. The other spouse is served with the paperwork, and then the process begins—sharing financial information, discussing custody (if kids are involved), and figuring out how to divide property. If you can agree on the terms, the divorce can move quickly. If not, you may go through mediation or a trial. Your attorney will walk you through every step.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some family law attorneys charge hourly, others offer flat fees for certain services, and the total cost depends on how complex your situation is. A straightforward divorce with no kids or property is going to cost less than a drawn-out custody dispute. The good news is, many attorneys offer consultations to walk you through what to expect up front.

A family law attorney is your guide through some of the toughest legal and emotional terrain you’ll face. Whether you’re going through a divorce, figuring out custody, or sorting out financial support, your lawyer helps you understand your rights and options. They handle the legal strategy, draft agreements, advocate for you in court, and keep things moving so you’re not navigating it all alone.

Divorce legally ends your marriage. Legal separation, on the other hand, keeps you married but lets you live separately with a court-approved arrangement for things like custody, support, and property. Some couples choose separation for personal or religious reasons, or to keep shared benefits. But just know—it’s not a middle step to divorce; it’s a legal arrangement of its own.

Custody decisions come down to one big question: what’s in the best interest of the child? Courts look at things like each parent’s ability to provide stability, the child’s relationship with each parent, and any concerns about safety or past behavior. There’s legal custody (making decisions about school, health, etc.) and physical custody (where the child lives). Custody can be shared—or awarded to one parent—depending on the situation.

It depends on how complicated things are. If both spouses agree on everything, a divorce can be finalized in just a few months. But if there are disagreements—especially around kids, finances, or property—it can stretch into a year or longer. The more you and your spouse can resolve early, the faster things will go. A good attorney can help keep the process efficient and focused.

If you or your spouse own a business, it could be considered marital property, especially if it was started or grew during the marriage. That means it might be subject to division. You might need to get the business valued and then negotiate who keeps it—or whether one spouse buys out the other. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, but your lawyer can help protect what you’ve built.

Yes, but there has to be a good reason—like a job change, relocation, or shift in the child’s needs or schedule. Courts are open to modifying orders, but only if there’s been a substantial change in circumstances and the new plan still serves the child’s best interests. It’s not automatic, so you’ll need to show why the change makes sense now.

It starts when one spouse files a petition for divorce. The other spouse is served with the paperwork, and then the process begins—sharing financial information, discussing custody (if kids are involved), and figuring out how to divide property. If you can agree on the terms, the divorce can move quickly. If not, you may go through mediation or a trial. Your attorney will walk you through every step.