West Bend Law Blog

Is it appropriate to modify your divorce decree?

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC posted in family law on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

When you go through a divorce, the final decree seems as if it would be the last time you'd have to worry about your divorce at all. The truth, though, is that there are times when you may need to go back and ask to modify your divorce decree.

For example, if one of you does not agree with the divorce judgment, you may decide to appeal the decision. If you agree to the decision but later find that your spouse hid assets or have a custody arrangement you need to alter, then you may want to consider a modification at that time.

Child support guidelines may not be perfect for every parent

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC posted in family law on Friday, May 15, 2020.

When you think about child support, you understand its purpose. It's there to make sure your child has a good quality of life and the support of both parents.

How much is too much, though? You need to be able to live yourself, and you also have custody of your child. When they're with you, you need to be able to afford to provide for them, just like you do when you pay support to their mother.

Guilty or not? It's up to you to decide how to plead

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC posted in criminal defense on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

Plea bargaining is something your attorney may talk to you about if you are likely to be found guilty of a crime and can see a significant reduction in penalties by taking a guilty plea. According to the Offices of the United States Attorneys, the government is able to offer a plea deal to help a defendant avoid trial and to, potentially, reduce the risk of a more serious or lengthy sentence.

Did you know that a defendant can only plead guilty when they actually did commit the crime, according to the law? If you decide to admit to a crime, you are agreeing that you are guilty and asking a judge to sentence you. The judge is the only person who can do that, but prosecutors can ask that you not face an enhanced sentence or ask for certain reductions in penalties or charges. In the end, though, it is up to the judge to decide what happens next.

Divorce: What if a spouse disregards Wisconsin laws?

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

When you decided to divorce, your top concerns were your children and making sure you are in a stable financial condition so that you can provide for your kids and yourself as you adapt to a new lifestyle. You may be able to relate to other spouses and parents who say they really just wanted to leave the past behind and move on in life with a fresh start.

Wisconsin is a community property state. This means the judge overseeing your case will divide your marital property 50/50 between you and your spouse. If you're worried that your spouse is trying to beat the system so you don't get a fair deal, remember that hiding assets in divorce is illegal. If this is a concern of yours, it's a good idea to know how to investigate your suspicions and where to seek support if you discover evidence.

Babies and custody: A tough decision

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC posted in family law on Friday, May 1, 2020.

Your child is very small, and you're worried that if they go with their father, they won't get the right nutrition or bonding time like they would if they were with you. They're still nursing, and it makes sense for them to be with you.

You are right that it can be harder to make a custody plan for an infant or baby. They need consistency and have short memories. They need frequent contact with both parents. Their needs change rapidly, and both parents have to be up-to-date on those changes.

Can't get to your child's important events? Visit virtually

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC posted in family law on Friday, April 24, 2020.

In times when you can't see your child regularly, whether it's because of work or other responsibilities, it can put a real strain on that relationship. You might not be able to get home soon enough to make the afterschool run or to be there to get them off the bus, but you want to be there when you can.

Your child has recently been angry at you for missing his baseball game. Then, you missed one of his school recitals. It's hard for you to get there from your workplace because you work an hour from home. You've tried, but you're always late.

Innocent? You need to defend yourself carefully

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

You were at home when a break-in happened down the street from your house. The individual who caused all the trouble looked similar to you, and witnesses claimed that you were the person they saw. You ended up in a police station trying to argue that you were at home all night. It's been a frustrating situation.

When you have no one who can verify where you've been in a situation like this, it can be hard to cope. Fortunately, there are some other ways you can attempt to show your innocence after a false accusation. While you don't have to say a word, showing call logs that show you were speaking with someone during the time of the break-in or gathering video footage from a nearby home that has a camera, could help clear your name.

Do you have to split things evenly in a community property state?

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC posted in family law on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

You and your spouse have lived together for a long time, and you've both decided that it's now time to split up. As you get ready to start your divorce, you've come to realize that you have many assets that once belonged to you that your spouse wants to keep as their own.

Wisconsin is a community property state. That means that you and your spouse will split your property evenly. The court does expect that you share your property as close to 50-50 as you can -- unless you and your spouse are able to work out another arrangement.

Read this before seeking child custody modification in Wisconsin

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Every Wisconsin parent is unique regarding the style in which he or she nurtures and disciplines his or her children. Do you consider yourself lenient when it comes to rules or permission you give to your kids? On the other hand, perhaps you focus on structure and routine more than your co-parent does. Since getting divorced, have you encountered challenges in your co-parenting plan?

It's not uncommon for parents to disagree about child-related issues. Children fare best in divorce if parents at least try to work as a team. Concerning a child custody court order, it not only helps your children avoid stress but also helps you avoid legal problems if you and your ex fully adhere to its terms. However, what if you need to modify the court order?

Why do you need a criminal defense strategy?

On behalf of Mayer Law Office, LLC posted in criminal defense on Thursday, April 2, 2020.

You knew you were in deep trouble when the police pulled up to your house. They'd tracked you down after an offense, and now you're being accused of charges that you feel are unfair and blown out of proportion.

It's very important for someone in your position to reach out for legal support so that you can build a defense and protect yourself. It's easy for charges to build up against someone after they're accused of a crime, and you want to make sure that you only face fair charges.