Seeking Assistance with the Ins and Outs of Middleton Property Division
Going through a divorce is an incredibly difficult and emotional experience under any circumstances. But when you add in the complexities of dividing up assets and property, it can quickly become overwhelming trying to navigate the legal system alone. This was certainly true for Jane.
Jane was a 43-year-old veterinarian living in Middleton, WI. She and her husband, who worked as an accountant, had been married for 15 years before deciding to get divorced. During that time, they had bought a home together and acquired various assets. Now, going through the divorce process, they needed to come to an agreement on how to divide up their shared property and assets fairly. This included their house, vehicles, retirement accounts, and more. Jane was feeling very anxious and unsure about how to even begin tackling this process. She knew the stakes were high and that property division carried serious financial implications for her future.
Jane decided to seek legal representation and reached out to Attorney Kathleen O. Curran of Sterling Lawyers in nearby Middleton. With over a decade of experience in family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and more, Attorney Curran had a deep understanding of the local court system in Dane County and the various steps involved in the property division process.
After reviewing Jane’s situation in detail, Attorney Kathleen O. Curran helped walk her through what she could expect as they worked through property division. This included gathering financial statements and asset documentation, determining valuations, understanding laws around marital vs individual property, negotiating with her ex, and ultimately filing paperwork to submit their agreement to the court.
Attorney Curran outlined the property division process in Dane County:
- Collect documentation on all assets and debts. This includes things like tax returns, pay stubs, retirement accounts, real estate, vehicles, investments, credit card statements, and more. Accurately documenting everything is crucial.
- Assess if assets are marital or individual property. In Wisconsin, any asset acquired during the marriage is typically considered marital property, while gifts or inheritances are individual. Courts will divide marital property between spouses.
- Obtain professional appraisals on assets when needed. Certain assets like real estate or businesses will need a formal valuation by a professional appraiser.
- Categorize debts as individual or marital. Marital debts are typically divided while individual debts are assigned to the spouse responsible.
- Attempt to negotiate an equitable division. Spouses can negotiate asset distribution between themselves if they agree, or else the court will decide.
- File paperwork with the court. Once an agreement is reached, legal documents need to be formally filed and approved by a judge.
Going through all these steps appropriately takes time, diligence, and knowledge of local court procedures. Without adequate legal guidance, it can be extremely difficult for someone like Jane to ensure their rights are protected in the division of property.
Attorney Curran used her knowledge to advise Jane on how to best proceed in her case based on the nuances in Dane County. She helped gather documentation on all their assets, categorize items appropriately, obtain professional appraisals, and attempt to negotiate with Jane's ex on a division they could both agree on. Attorney Curran was also prepared to file motions and represent Jane in court if they were unable to reach a settlement out of court.
It was incredibly helpful for Jane to have Attorney Curran looking out for her interests during such a challenging process. She provided Jane with invaluable legal knowledge and support that would have been nearly impossible to gain on her own without representation. Attorney Curran made the entire process much smoother and less stressful by handling the intricacies of the required paperwork, court filings, and negotiations.
Going through a divorce and property division without adequate legal guidance can cost you for years to come. The attorneys at Sterling Lawyers have assisted many clients with property division matters in Dane County and throughout Wisconsin. They have the knowledge and resources needed to help ensure your rights are protected. If you are facing divorce and property division, contact Sterling Lawyers today to discuss your options with an attorney. The right representation can make all the difference in getting a fair outcome.
The names and identifying details in this article have been changed to protect client confidentiality. This story illustrates the types of legal matters handled by the attorney and our firm. For privacy reasons, we never discuss the specifics of a case outcome.