Hawley, Kaufman & Kautzer, S.C

Website: https://www.hkklawoffices.com/
Follow:

Hawley, Kaufman & Kautzer, S.C Blogs

Hawley, Kaufman & Kautzer, S.C. Blog

Blog Authors

State Bar of Wisconsin
Hawley, Kaufman, and Kautzer Staff

Latest from Hawley, Kaufman & Kautzer, S.C

It is February 2026. Tax season is underway, and like most people, you are gathering W-2s, 1099s, and receipts, trying to make sure nothing important is missing before your return is filed.

Every What many people do not realize is that this same stack of tax documents also provides one of the clearest snapshots of their financial life they will see all year. From an estate planning perspective, that snapshot is invaluable.has its own rhythm, milestones and turning points.
Continue Reading More than a Refund: The Strategic Link Between Tax Season and Estate Planning

In most cases, it is not one big fight or a single event that ends a marriage

Every process has its own rhythm, milestones and turning points. The same holds true for marriages that reach a crossroads.

After more than two decades of practicing family law in Wisconsin, Attorney Kyle Kaufman shares the pattern that he has seen again and again. Sometimes, the relationship has been unraveling for months or even years. Understanding the typical emotional and behavioral phases…
Continue Reading Navigating the Journey: Five Stages Couples Often Experience Before Divorce

Life after a divorce often brings a desire for a fresh start. For many parents in Sheboygan, Random Lake, and Mequon, this includes the question of whether a child can take on a new last name to match a restored maiden name or a new family structure.

While Wisconsin law allows adults to revert to a former legal name relatively easily during the divorce process, changing a child’s name involves a separate, more rigorous legal standard.

At HKK Law …
Continue Reading Can I Change My Child’s Last Name After a Divorce in Wisconsin?

Your Guide to Navigating the Child Custody and Placement Process in Wisconsin with Confidence
Divorce or paternity cases bring many tough questions to the forefront: who will have custody? How does joint custody really work? What does the court actually consider?

If you’re facing a custody dispute in Wisconsin, knowing the court’s decision‑making framework can empower you to protect your parental rights and present a strong case. Attorney Kyle Kaufman breaks down the essential concepts, the statutory factors judges…
Continue Reading How Wisconsin Courts Decide Child Custody and Placement

Life insurance policy, money and documents.
Life insurance policy and documents.

The division of life insurance policies is a topic that often does not receive enough attention in Wisconsin divorce cases. Yet depending on how a policy is owned, funded, and structured, it can raise important financial issues during a property division.
Insurable Interest Comes First
Before discussing division, it is important to understand who can legally take out a life insurance policy. A person may only insure another individual if they have what is called an insurable interest. This…
Continue Reading Life Insurance Policies in a Wisconsin Divorce Action

When parents in Sheboygan, Random Lake, or Mequon cannot agree on a parenting plan, the court often steps in to make these life-altering decisions. In many contested cases, a judge will order a custody evaluation. This process involves a neutral professional, such as a psychologist or social worker, who investigates the family dynamic and provides a recommendation to the court.

Parents often feel overwhelmed by the scrutiny of an evaluation. Understanding Wisconsin Child Custody Evaluations: What Factors Do Judges…
Continue Reading Wisconsin Child Custody Evaluations: What Factors Do Judges Consider?

If you are a parent who shares a child with another parent and you were never married to that parent, it is critical that you understand how Wisconsin law applies to your situation. The rules for custody and placement are very different for children born outside of marriage and misunderstanding them can have serious consequences.

Non Marital Children Under Wisconsin Law

When a child is born to parents who are not married, Wisconsin law classifies that child as a…
Continue Reading WHO HAS CUSTODY IF THERE IS NO COURT ORDER?

Your guide to building lasting bonds with your children through effective communication and growth, to create a winning custody strategy.

Why Family Law is About More Than Paperwork
At HKK Law Offices we view every case as a chance for transformation. When families move through conflict, they often emerge with clearer relationships, steadier finances, and a renewed sense of purpose. Custody isn’t just a legal award. It is an opportunity to become a stronger, healthier, consistent, and more engaged…
Continue Reading Transforming Custody Challenges into Stronger Connections

For fathers in Sheboygan, Random Lake, Mequon, and across Wisconsin, the legal relationship with a child born outside of marriage is vital. Establishing paternity means more than simply having your name on a birth certificate; it locks in essential rights and obligations for both the parent and the child. This process provides you with the opportunity to seek custody and placement, while ensuring your child has access to essential benefits.

Whether you are preparing for a birth or seeking…
Continue Reading Understanding Paternity Laws in Wisconsin: What Fathers Need to Know

How Wisconsin Manages Divorces That Include a Business.

Facing divorce when you own a business near Random Lake, Mequon, or Sheboygan, WI, brings unique legal and financial complexity.

Although almost every divorce requires determining child support, custody, maintenance (also known as alimony), and division of marital property, the process can become significantly more complex for business owners, high-income earners, and those with valuable assets.

Our highly experienced and compassionate family lawyers fully understand the anxiety that comes with determining…
Continue Reading How Do Wisconsin Courts Handle the Division of Business Assets in a Divorce?

Divorce marks the closing of one chapter, and the beginning of another. Amid the legal paperwork, emotional transitions, and shifting routines, updating your estate plan may not be on your priority list. But that’s exactly why it deserves your attention now, because it’s a chance to take control and build clarity into your new life.

In Wisconsin, the law provides some built-in protections. Once a divorce (or annulment) becomes final, many references to an ex-spouse in wills, trusts, or…
Continue Reading Starting Fresh: Turning Post-Divorce Estate Planning into Peace of Mind

One of the biggest surprises for parents in family court is learning what judges don’t consider when deciding child support. Many people walk in with misconceptions, thinking it’s about who bought the last birthday gift, who’s the “better parent,” or whether paying for extra clothes and school supplies will reduce their support amount.

The reality? Child support in Wisconsin is primarily driven by numbers, documentation, and state guidelines—not who tells the most emotional story in court.

As a family…
Continue Reading How Wisconsin Judges Really Decide Child Support

At HKK Law Offices, we know that custody and placement cases in Wisconsin are some of the most emotional and challenging moments parents face. These cases aren’t about quick fixes or shortcuts—they’re about presenting strong evidence, credible witnesses, and focusing on what truly matters: the best interest of your child.

In this blog post, we’ll walk through a real custody case we handled in Southeast Wisconsin, showing how careful preparation and the right strategy helped our client gain custody…
Continue Reading How to Win Custody and Placement in Wisconsin: Real Strategies That Work

Divorcing in Wisconsin Can Be Challenging, So You Must Understand its “No-Fault” Laws.
Divorce is a complex and often emotional journey. For those living in Sheboygan, Random Lake, or Mequon, understanding Wisconsin’s specific laws is the first step toward a clear path forward.

One of the most common questions divorce lawyers hear is, “How does Wisconsin’s ‘no-fault’ divorce law impact spousal support and property division?” It is a crucial question because the answer helps you understand what to expect.
Continue Reading How Wisconsin’s ‘No-Fault’ Divorce Law Impacts Spousal Support and Property Division

If I Get Divorced in Wisconsin, Is There a Way to Keep My Inherited Assets?

Going through a divorce is a complicated process, and the thought of losing property, assets, or money that you inherited can add to the stress, but there are legal means to protect yourself.

In Wisconsin, the laws concerning property division are complex. Our empathetic and knowledgeable family lawyers understand you may feel concerned about protecting what’s yours. This is especially true for assets from…
Continue Reading Can I Keep My Inherited Assets in a Divorce in Wisconsin?

5 Common Mistakes Men Make in Child Support Hearings (and How to Avoid Them)
At HKK Law Offices, we’ve represented many parents in child support cases across Ozaukee County and Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. One thing we’ve seen time and again is that too many fathers walk into child support hearings unprepared—not because they’re bad dads, but because the system is complex and intimidating.

If you’re facing a child support hearing in Wisconsin, understanding the process (and avoiding common mistakes)…
Continue Reading 5 BIG Mistakes Men Make in Child Custody Court