Retaining a Dane County family lawyer is not required, but it is highly recommended.  Wisconsin’s family court rules are contained in statutes, administrative rules, local Dane County rules, and case law.   Add to this the various unwritten rules and customs that are expected to be followed, and the process often becomes overwhelming for an unrepresented party.

The rules are not always easy to understand.  Even experienced family attorneys wisely check the various statutes in each case.  Regardless of my familiarity of depth of experience in the family law practice, I always read the relevant statutes prior to court hearings, trials, etc.   More often than not, I find a single word, phrase, or even punctuation that could make the statute apply differently to new facts.

Each case is unique, and presents its own  challenges.  Though the laws are meant to apply generally to everyone, not all situations fit clearly into a particular statute or court decision.  The rules are sometimes written with gray areas to accommodate unusual situations, and to give judges discretion when a strict interpretation of rule of law would not be fair.

Particularly for issues of child custody, guardianship, and parental rights, a thorough understanding of the law and perhaps more importantly, how to apply it, is necessary to ensure the best outcome for your child.  The process does not need to be expensive, but advice from a knowledgeable Dane County family lawyer results in greater understanding, peace of mind, and a clearer result.    I offer free consultations for anyone facing a Dane County family law issue, and encourage you to contact me.