Divorce and child custody disputes touch every part of your life. Your home. Your kids. Your paycheck. Your future. If you are a tradesperson, contractor, nurse, teacher, or working professional living in Waukesha, Walworth, or Jefferson County, you already know how hard you have worked for what you have. When a marriage ends, it can feel overwhelming.
At Thelen & Associates, we understand that. Our law firm was founded to help people like you move through one of the hardest seasons of life with clear guidance and steady support.
Attorney Kris Thelen founded this firm and has practiced Wisconsin family law for more than 30 years. Over that time, she has handled thousands of cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, and property division across Waukesha County and the surrounding region.
Our clients appreciate how reassuring working with such an experienced family law attorney can be. There is virtually nothing in Wisconsin family law that Kris has not seen before. She handles divorces and child custody disputes for people of all ages and walks of life. No matter how complex or simple your situation is, Kris is prepared to represent you.
Whether you are beginning your case with us or seeking a post-judgment modification, Kris works hard to make divorce and custody disputes as bearable as possible. That means keeping you informed, explaining your options in plain language, and helping you make decisions you can live with long after the case is closed. It also involves keeping our fees reasonable and avoiding costly, unnecessary delays.
Thelen & Associates handles the full range of family law matters in Waukesha County and the surrounding area. Whether you are just starting to think about your options or you are already in the middle of a dispute, our lawyers can help.
Wisconsin is a marital property state. That means the law generally presumes that most assets (or their equivalent value) and debts will be divided equally by both spouses. Courts can adjust the 50/50 starting point in certain situations. Factors like the length of the marriage, contributions one spouse made to the other’s career, and any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements can all play a role.
Assets that must be divided in a typical divorce can include:
Property that one spouse received as a gift or inheritance, may be treated as separate property and kept out of the division. However, if that property was combined with marital assets over time, it can become harder to separate. For example, an inheritance deposited into a joint account may be treated as marital property.
Wisconsin family law uses two distinct terms that parents need to understand.
The guiding standard in every custody and placement decision is the best interest of the child. To determine what that means for each particular case, judges consider a range of factors, including:
In many cases, parents can reach a placement agreement outside of court through negotiation or mediation. Waukesha County Circuit Court has its own Family Court Services division that facilitates mediation when custody or placement is disputed. When parents cannot agree, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem, an attorney who represents the child’s interests independently and makes recommendations to the judge.
Like many things in the law, a family law court order is not necessarily set in stone. If you have good reason to seek a change in your child custody, child support, or spousal maintenance (alimony) order, our Waukesha County family law firm can help. We also represent clients whose ex or co-parent wants a post-judgment modification that is unreasonable or not in the children’s best interests.
Custody arrangements can also be modified after an order is in place. Within the first two years, the bar for modification is high. After two years, either parent may seek a change by showing a substantial change in circumstances and that the modification would benefit the child. We will build a case that presents your side of the story in a persuasive way that is backed by the facts.
Our firm serves clients throughout the region, including Waukesha County communities like Waukesha, Brookfield, Oconomowoc, Eagle, and Sussex. We also work with clients from Walworth County and Jefferson County who need experienced family law representation close to home.
Whether your case is filed at the Waukesha County Courthouse on Moreland Boulevard or involves matters that cross county lines, our team knows this region and the courts that serve it.
If you are facing a divorce, a custody dispute, or any other family law matter, you do not have to figure it out alone. Thelen & Associates is here to help you understand your options, protect what matters most to you, and move forward.
Contact our law office today to arrange a free, no-pressure initial consultation. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you can start making informed decisions about your future.
