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Hawley, Kaufman, and Kautzer Staff

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

Can a Witness Write a Letter Instead of Testifying in Family Court? The short answer: probably not. 
Family law matters include and are not limited to divorces, child custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and adoption. Family law cases involve what matters most: one’s children, finances, and dignity. As a result, the parties involved often find themselves in disputes.

The Role of Witnesses in Court
At a hearing, a court…
Continue Reading Understanding Witness Testimony in Wisconsin Family Law

Many grandparents play an important role in their grandchildren’ s lives. However, Wisconsin law does not automatically grant grandparents the legal right to spend time with their grandchildren, also known as visitation rights. In most cases, courts presume that fit parents are able to determine who can spend time with their children.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court case, Michels v. Lyons, found that a grandparent who wishes to have visitation rights to a grandchild in opposition to a fit parent’s…
Continue Reading Do Grandparents Have The Right To Visitation In Wisconsin?

Put yourself in the shoes of a Wisconsin family court judge. Your first case of the day is a custody dispute where one parent is appearing pro se—representing themselves without a lawyer. You see self-represented parents nearly every day, and do not expect perfection, just preparation, honesty, and someone who can stay focused on facts instead of emotion.

The pro se party arrives on time and well-organized, but as they begin to unpack their documents you catch a glimpse…
Continue Reading Representing Yourself In Family Court? Read This First

Many individuals walk into family court believing the odds are stacked against them due to their gender. Some men believe women are favored in family cases, especially those involving children. At the same time, some women feel they have to go to extreme lengths to have their concerns taken seriously in court.

While implicit bias can play a role in any court decision, the belief that one’s gender alone determines the outcome of their case is highly unlikely.
The…
Continue Reading Family Court Doesn’t Favor Mothers – Here’s What They Actually Care About

Early decisions in a divorce case can shape the outcome months later. One of the more frustrating things I deal with as a lawyer is meeting clients who come to me what I describe as “downstream.”

What they want is for the lawyer to come in where they are and guide the rest of the case forward. The problem is that by the time we meet, they may have already gone through some rapids and taken a few wrong…
Continue Reading 7 Divorce Mistakes That Could Cost You Everything

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Navigating a divorce, custody dispute, or restraining‑order case can feel overwhelming – especially when you’re worried about who might see your personal information.

In Wisconsin, most family‑law matters are public records, but “public” doesn’t mean every detail is freely available online.

Attorney Kyle Kaufman breaks down exactly what’s accessible, what stays private, and how you can proactively protect your privacy while moving forward with confidence in this article.

Check out attorney Kaufman’s YouTube video via…
Continue Reading UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC RECORDS IN WISCONSING FAMILY LAW

Child support agreement on an office table.
Child support agreement on an office table.

One of the biggest myths floating around Wisconsin family law is the idea that child support pays for everything.

It does not.

That belief alone fuels endless arguments, builds resentment, and leaves both parents feeling stuck – often without anyone actually being at fault. The truth is simpler, but it takes a clear, written order to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

Let’s clear this up. Attorney Kyle Kaufman regularly provides additional guidance to families through HKK YouTube…
Continue Reading What Wisconsin Child Support Really Covers – and the Mistakes Parents Keep Making

One of the most common questions we hear from parents is simple:

“Can my child support be lowered?”

The answer is: possibly. But it does not happen automatically, and timing matters more than most people realize.

In this article, Family Law Attorney, Kyle Kaufman, provides insight on when you may qualify for a reduction in Wisconsin and what steps you should take if your financial situation has changed.

For additional depth, view his YouTube video at this LINK.
Continue Reading WISCONSIN CHILD SUPPORT MODIFICATIONS

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