Milwaukee, WI Divorce Attorney Office

In order to file for divorce in Milwaukee, you must have lived in the state of Wisconsin for the preceding six months and in Milwaukee County for at least 30 days.

There is a 120-day waiting period for all divorce cases in Wisconsin. This does not necessarily mean that you will be divorced on the 121st day.

Rather, the length of time will depend on a variety of factors including the ability of the parties to resolve issues outside of court and the court’s calendar.

A summons must be personally served on your spouse and proved either by affidavit of the spouse or the third party server.

If the spouse cannot be personally served with reasonable diligence, a copy of the summons may be left at the spouse’s usual dwelling in the presence of a competent family member at least 14 years of age.

If all else fails, the summons may be published in a newspaper. In Milwaukee, the official newspapers for publication are the Daily Reporter and the Community Journal.

In cities of 250,000 people or less, the summons must appear in a publication likely to give notice in that area. If the spouse’s address is known, a copy of the summons and petition should be mailed prior to publication.

You will need a Summons (unless joint petition), a Petition, and a Confidential Petition Addendum.

Upon filing the papers necessary to commence an action for divorce, the petitioner must proceed immediately to the office of the Family Court Commissioner (Room 707) to obtain a deadline for administrative dismissal, and, where applicable, an order requiring attendance at parent education.

The petitioner must obtain from the office of the Family Court Commissioner either (1) the Notice and Order – Administrative Dismissal Date or (2) the Notice and Order – Administrative Dismissal Date & Requirement to Attend Parent Education Program (for cases with minor children).

You need to file for divorce at the Milwaukee County Circuit Court Clerk of Courts located at 901 N. Eighth St., Room 104, in Milwaukee.