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Hawley, Kaufman, and Kautzer Staff

Latest from Hawley, Kaufman & Kautzer, S.C. Blog

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 parent.

Our mission: Help you…
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

How to Prove Domestic Violence in Wisconsin Custody and Restraining Order Cases
When domestic violence becomes part of a family law case, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Victims of abuse in Wisconsin often find themselves in the painful position of having to co-parent with their abuser or facing a courtroom battle to secure a restraining order. At HKK Law Offices, we understand how overwhelming this process can feel — and how critical it is to prepare thoroughly.

In this…
Continue Reading How To Prove Domestic in an Order of Protection Hearing or Custody Case?

4 Attorney Tips to Legally Pay Less Child Support in Wisconsin
Child support is one of the most common—and often most misunderstood—issues parents face during a divorce or separation. At HKK Law Offices, our family law attorneys in Sheboygan County and Ozaukee County regularly hear questions like:

“How can I legally avoid paying child support?”

The truth is, the law requires both parents to contribute to their child’s financial needs. But that doesn’t mean you should be stuck with…
Continue Reading 4 Attorney Tips To Pay Less Child Support

Wisconsin Attorney | Random Lake, WI | Hawley, Kaufman & Kautzer S.C. (hkklawoffices.com)

Navigating a child custody case can be overwhelming, and it’s important to understand how to present your case in the most effective way possible. In this blog, I’m going to reveal five key strategies that can help you influence a child custody judge’s decision in your favor. These are not shortcuts, but proven tips that will help you communicate your arguments more effectively, challenge biases, and

…
Continue Reading 5 Tips To Influence Your Child Custody Judge

Wisconsin Attorney | Random Lake, WI | Hawley, Kaufman & Kautzer S.C. (hkklawoffices.com)

Domestic violence cases, whether in the context of an order of protection hearing or a custody case, are some of the most emotionally charged and complex matters in family law. As someone who’s been practicing for over 19 years, I can confidently say that preparation is key to winning these cases. If you don’t prepare properly, there’s a high risk of losing.

I’m Kyle Kaufman, a

…
Continue Reading How to Prove Domestic Violence in an Order of Protection Hearing or Custody Case: A Framework for Success

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Attorney Kyle KaufmanEmail us | 262-360-6930
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Attorney Ryan KautzerEmail us | 262-360-6930
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Attorney Jacob BirenbaumEmail us | 262-360-6930
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Attorney Carly ThielEmail us | 262-360-6930
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The post HKK Law Offices Family Law Attorneys appeared first on HKK Law Offices.
Continue Reading HKK Law Offices Family Law Attorneys

When you’re involved in a custody battle, one of the most important things you can do is understand how a judge thinks. It could very well be the factor that determines whether you win or lose your case. Many people walk into court assuming all they need to do is tell their side of the story—but family law doesn’t work like that. Judges follow specific principles, and if you’re unaware of what matters to them, you could be wasting

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Continue Reading Understanding the Mindset of a Custody Judge: Why It’s Crucial for Your Case

Because INCARCERATION IS NOT VOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT, what happens to child support when payors are sent to jail? 

Wisconsin has recently made changes to the child support guidelines that includes added language to the administrative code, DCF 150, the code that covers child support, regarding this specific situation.

What do these changes mean?

  • It means that Incarcerated payors can now seek a modification to child support orders. 

  • In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has long held that incarceration is just

…
Continue Reading What Happens with Child Support When Someone Goes to Jail?