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    Divorce Attorneys Whitefish Bay WI

Divorce Attorneys | Whitefish Bay

At Ohiku Law, our mission is to place the client’s needs at the forefront. In Whitefish Bay, we offer strategic legal representation through a collaborative approach that involves both attorney and client. Our team combines compassion with expertise to alleviate your concerns during the divorce process, ensuring that the things you value are protected. Explore our services: Divorce Representation / Divorce Mediation / Custody and Placement / General Mediation.

Ohiku Law is here to support Whitefish Bay residents with tailored legal solutions and dedicated service.

Your Trusted Whitefish Bay Divorce Attorney

You have worked hard to build a family, a life, a future. When divorce is on the horizon, you need an attorney with the compassion to empathize with what you are going through and the experience to protect what matters most to you. At the Ohiku Law Office, we are problem solvers and peacemakers, combining extensive knowledge and compassion to address your unique needs and help reduce your anxiety. When you need a powerful advocate, we leverage our decades of experience and strong relationships to put your needs at the forefront. If you’re considering divorce and looking to assemble an expert team, contact Ohiku Law today to find out what we can do for you.

Why Choose Ohiku Law for your Divorce?

You need a divorce attorney with a genuine passion for helping you protect what’s most important: your family, your assets, and your future. High-net worth clients just like you trust experienced attorney Odalo Ohiku to understand and empathize with your unique needs, help you overcome any challenge through extensive knowledge and experience, and tenaciously fight to help you achieve your goals.

You deserve to settle your case in a way that limits stress, conflict, and lasting damage. At Ohiku Law, our focus is on educating you about your rights and options, keeping you informed at every step of the process. We are experts at peaceful negotiation and building solid, respectful relationships with the courts, judges, and our fellow attorneys. We take a cooperative approach, seeking first to negotiate a peaceful settlement and working to avoid the stress and cost of trials wherever possible.

You have worked hard to build a life, nurture a family, and accumulate assets. We care about the well-being of you and your family and understand the nuances of the child custody and placement system to ensure your greatest treasure – your children – come through the process in the best possible way. When it comes to your assets, we effectively employ our knowledge of marital property law and statutes to protect all that you have worked for.

Why should you choose the Ohiku Law Office for your divorce? Because we care about you. Because we are knowledgeable and experienced. Because we will fight to protect what’s important to you.

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What Our Clients Have to Say

I was in the middle of my divorce and custody battle for two years and no one was taking my case serious until I hired Odalo Ohiku. He helped me so much with my case. My child was taken away from me out state without my consent, but thanks to attorney Ohiku, he is with me now, where he belongs. I have sole custody and placement and my divorce is finally done.

Attorney Ohiku fought for me in my alimony case against my ex-husband as if I was family. Finally, a lawyer that fought for me and what I deserved. He went above and beyond my expectations as a client, and as a woman, finding a trustworthy attorney such as Attorney Ohiku was an extraordinary experience. I have recommended him to several acquantances for various legal matters as the most dependable attorney in town.

 

Attorney Ohiku has to be considered one of the very best attorneys in the state of Wisconsin. He works tirelessly on your case to make sure that true justice is served. He listens intently to you and does not dismiss anything you say to him. He does in-depth fact finding. He works very hard to make sure that the outcome is one that works for you and not just to get your name off of the books so he can collect his fee.

Mr. Ohiku came highly recommended and I felt very comfortable speaking to him and letting him take my case. He knew what he was talking about and made me feel at ease. Most importantly, I felt I could trust him. He took down my story and he showed he really cared!!!

In my time of need Mr. Odalo was there. Very swiftly and professionally did he come to my aid. I want so much to share my story and I’m sure you have your own. Retain and allow him to help you and you’ll be telling your own story.

Click Here to Learn About Our Collaborative Process

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Divorce Info & Blog

A couple sitting on a couch looking sad.

Divorce vs. Legal Separation in Wisconsin: What’s the Difference?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Divorce Law FAQs

In the State of Wisconsin, there is only one official justification for divorce: that the partners cannot work out their differences, which is legally stated as the marriage being “irretrievably broken.” Even if only one spouse wants the divorce, it is common for the judge to grant it on these grounds. If you have questions about divorce or are looking for a divorce attorney in Whitefish Bay, give Ohiku Law a call today.

Divorce means the marriage is legally ended, leaving the former spouses free to marry again. A legal separation means the partners are still married, though they go through some of the same processes as divorce, such as division of property and creation of a child custody agreement. After one year, either spouse may apply for the legal separation to be elevated to a divorce or, if the spouses reconcile, can file to nullify the legal separation.

Reasons spouses may seek legal separation over divorce include religious beliefs, financial issues, or for retention of medical benefits.

An annulment legally ends a marriage deemed invalid from the outset. Reasons for annulment of marriage include one spouse being underage, the inability of one or both spouses to consummate the marriage, or the marriage having taken place as a result of coercion or threat of force.

For questions about annulment and whether it’s appropriate in your situation, or to find an experienced divorce lawyer in Whitefish Bay, contact Ohiku Law.

A divorce proceeding typically starts with the filings of a petition for divorce, which is an outline of the history of the marriage and preferred outcome, and a summons indicated the other party has 20 days to respond to the filing.

In certain cases, the court rules that temporary orders must be issued outlining ground rules the spouses must follow until the culmination of the divorce proceedings. Two documents must be filed to issue temporary orders: an “affidavit for temporary relief,” which outlines temporary child custody and placement arrangements, and an “order to show cause,” which indicates the date and time of the hearing with the family court commissioner, who will issue temporary orders.

The spouse who files the divorce petition is called “the petitioner,” with the other spouse being “the respondent.” Together, they are referred to as “parties” to the divorce action.

“Custody” refers to the person or persons who hold legal power to make decisions on the child’s behalf, such as school placement, health care, religious upbringing, etc. When deciding custody, the court will start from the assumption that joint legal custody between the two parents is what is best for the child. The court will deviate from this standard in cases of violence in the marriage, child abuse, and other serious considerations.

“Physical placement” means the agreement reached by both spouses as to the amount of time the child lives or spends time with each parent. Most spouses, often with the guidance of their divorce lawyer, are able to reach a physical placement agreement without the intervention of the court system. This is the best-case scenario as a respectful agreement between both parents will make the divorce transition much easier on the child.

Should the spouses not come to an agreement, they will be referred to family court for counseling. If they still cannot reach an agreement, the judge overseeing the case will make a physical placement decision. When this happens, the judge uses all the information they have to make an informed, thoughtful decision based on what is in the best interest of the child. The court will also appoint an attorney to represent the child themselves, called an “attorney ad litem.”

The amount of child support depends on a number of factors. If a parent has physical placement of their child or children less than 25% of the time, the court will make a child support judgment based on a percentage of that parent’s pre-tax income. Though a court reserves the right to deviate from the standard in certain cases, in general, the percentages are 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five+ children.

When parents have “shared placement” of the child, meaning each lives with the child for 25% or more of the time, it is up to the courts to come up with an appropriate child support arrangement. This decision process is complex and based on the income of each parent, how much time they have physical placement with the child, and the standard support percentages outlined above.

In cases where one or both parents are already paying child support from a previous case, the court reserves the right to base the new child support judgment on an adjusted gross income number. If the court finds that one or both parents are not fulfilling their responsibility, they reserve the right to base the child support payments on earning capacity rather than actual gross income. Any and all adjustments to a child support payment schedule must be made by the court itself.

In divorce proceedings, the majority of a couple’s property is divided between the two parties. Exceptions include inheritance and gifts from third parties, though these may also be subject to division in a divorce settlement.

The parties and their divorce lawyers attempt to come to an agreement about how property should be divided but, if they cannot come to a final agreement, the court makes these decisions. When deciding how to divide property between parties, the court starts from the belief that equal division of property is fair and proper, but may deviate from this depending on:

  • Marriage length and spousal contributions to the marriage
  • Age and health of the spouses
  • The value of property owned by one party coming into the marriage
  • The value of property unable to be divided by the courts
  • Earning capacity of both partners
  • Tax consequences
  • Other relevant factors

In the event that you and your partner cannot reach an agreement through mediation, your divorce case will go to trial. Cases like this can quickly become time-consuming, costly, and emotionally challenging. If you get to this point, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced divorce attorney who can support and guide you through the process.

The State of Wisconsin requires a person filing for divorce (the petitioner) to reside in the state for at least 6 months and in the county where the divorce petition is filed for at least 30 days.

Yes. Divorce mediation is another great options for couple considering divorce. Click here to learn more about our divorce mediation services in Whitefish Bay.

Marital Property Law FAQs

Wisconsin’s Marital Property Act was passed in 1986 and acknowledges that marriage is a partnership between equals, even if one spouse earns more than the other. Therefore, this act deems that, with certain exceptions, any property acquired during a marriage belongs equally to both spouses.

There are advantages and disadvantages to this law. Advantages include the right of the lesser-earning or unemployed spouse to have access to credit and the fact that both spouses have the ability to bequeath assets.

Marital property includes, with some exceptions, all assets acquired after a certain date – the “determination date” – which can be either the date of marriage, the date when both became residents of Wisconsin or January 1, 1986, when this law was passed.

“Survivorship marital property” are assets that, when one spouse dies, pass directly to the surviving spouse as opposed to passing to a named beneficiary under a last will and testament. An example of this is a home titled to both spouses (and only them).

“Deferred marital property” is a complex topic, but generally applies to assets that would be considered marital property but were gained before the spouses’ determination date. Under Wisconsin’s Marital Property Act, a surviving spouse has certain rights to assets considered deferred marital property.

The short answer is yes, you can still retain individual property once you are married. In most cases, this is property that you owned prior to the marriage. Other types of individual property include personal gifts and inheritance. An asset that is considered individual property is completely owned and controlled by that individual. One important note: all individual property must be documented in a way that makes it clear that it belongs solely to that individual, otherwise it is considered marital property.

Yes. Throughout the duration of a marriage, what was once individual property may become blended with marital property and, under Wisconsin’s Marital Property Act, may inadvertently become marital property unless carefully recorded.

A simple example is a personal savings account. Say you had a savings account before you were married and continued to contribute to the savings account after marriage. If you contribute portions of the income you earn during the marriage (which is considered marital property), the account becomes mixed property. As you move forward earning interest and withdrawing money from the account to pay for joint expenses, it becomes extremely difficult to draw the line between the amount in the account that is individual property and what is considered marital property.

Another example: say you owned 200 shares of stock before marriage. You purchase no additional shares but the stock grows in value over time. That stock and any additional value it made are individual property.

Once again, if you want to retain individual property after marriage, be sure to keep detailed records that clearly indicate your ownership.

The relative benefits or risks of the Marital Property Act on one’s credit largely depends on whether a couples shares the same values and goals.

The Marital Property Act allows the lesser or non-earning spouse access to credit based on the value of all marital property, including the income of the higher-earning spouse. Debts incurred by one spouse during a marriage are also considered the responsibility of both spouses, meaning creditors can collect on not only the individual debtor’s property but all marital property.

If you and your spouse are not on the same page when it comes to credit, you may consider a marital property agreement, which limits a spouse’s obligation for the other’s debts. However, you must share a copy of this agreement with a creditor before taking out lines of credit.

When you pass away, your “estate” will comprise one half of all marital property plus any individual property you owned. It is up to you to choose who will acquire your estate after your death. Where this gets complicated is if one spouse wishes to leave a tangible asset, such as a family home, to a certain beneficiary then passes away while the other spouse is still living. In that case, the surviving spouse would co-own the home with whomever the other spouse dictated as a beneficiary. It is worth it to get on the same page with your spouse about who will benefit from the marital property once you pass away.

If you do not have a will, your entire estate will pass on to your spouse. An exception to this is if you have children from a prior relationship. In that case, your surviving spouse inherits half of your marital and individual property and your children (whether from your previous or current relationship) inherit the rest.

If you have paid into life insurance and retirement both before and during a marriage, certain formulas are in place to calculate what should be considered marital and individual property. If you’ve named beneficiaries on these accounts, they will pass directly to the beneficiary rather than through a will. Be mindful that a spouse may still have a claim to part of your life insurance’s death benefit even if you name a different beneficiary, such as children from a previous relationship.

A spouse has the right, under the Marital Property Act, to half of the deferred retirement benefits of the other, but is not allowed to will these benefits away if they pass away first. In this case, the surviving spouse retains all of their own deferred retirement benefits.

If a spouse’s name is on the title of something considered marital property only if that spouse’s name is on the title and the value is less than $1,000 or another “reasonable” amount based on the economic position of the couple. If both spouses agree, the gift can be of any amount. If the gift exceeds a reasonable amount and is contested by one spouse, the matter can be settled in court.

Disagreements happen in every marriage. If you and your spouse disagree about what should happen with assets that are considered marital property and can’t settle them on your own, you can go to court. Here are some common examples:

  • As described above, if one spouse gifts marital property exceeding a “reasonable” value to a third party
  • Adding or removing one spouse’s name to a title
  • Seeking a professional accounting review of your joint financial situation

The Marital Property Act is in effect during a marriage and upon the death of a spouse. Other laws come into effect when property is divided as a result of divorce.

A marital property agreement is a safeguard if a couple disagrees about matters relating to credit. In this case, one spouse’s debts cannot cause creditors to go after the other’s assets. A marital property agreement is also applicable for couples that want to keep their assets separate or wish to have individual property reallocated as marital property.

Having an experienced attorney on your team can help you make the best decision for you and your spouse when it comes to marital property agreements.

At Ohiku Law, we pride ourselves in providing expert legal advice and services on topics like marital property law, divorce law, family court, and much more. We serve clients in Whitefish Bay and surrounding communities – give us a call to get started today.

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Diversity, Inclusion & Our Community

Diversity is more than a mission statement, mantra or aspiration – at the Ohiku Law, it’s our culture. Diversity is represented in the backgrounds of our attorneys, the languages we speak, and the clients we serve. We are dedicated to promoting an inclusive environment, welcoming individuals of all races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, and disabilities. Our values are not choices we make, they’re who we are.

Service to the community is a vital part of our firm’s mission to care for the whole person. In pursuit of our mission, our firm sponsors an annual Second Chance Expungement Clinic, created to assist eligible individuals with removing criminal convictions from their records. We also sponsor an annual Backpack-to-School event during which our firm supplies backpacks filled with school supplies to elementary school students.

Additionally, Attorney Ohiku mentors aspiring lawyers, sharing and promoting unwavering ethical standards. One way he does this is through participation in the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity Clerkship Program. Through the program, our firm is matched with first-year law students who act as summer law clerks, allowing the clerks to work and think like lawyers under his guidance and support.

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Divorce Attorneys Whitefish Bay WI