WISCONSIN DIVORCE PAPERS WITH EXPLANATIONS

The documents listed below are the primary documents for a Wisconsin uncontested divorce. You will notice that some of the documents apply with children. If you do not have minor children, these documents are typically not required.

Understanding the Wisconsin Divorce Papers:

• Joint Petition for Divorce: A Joint Petition for Divorce/Legal Separation With Minor Children, form FA-4110, or a Joint Petition for Divorce/Legal Separation Without Minor Children, form FA-4111, may be used if both spouses agree to file as joint petitioners. Both the FA-4110 and the FA-4111 establish the history of the marriage, identify the grounds, and may include a marital settlement as an attachment. The form for childless couples does not need to be notarized; the form for parents must be notarized.
• Affidavit Regarding the Children: This Affidavit Regarding Minor Children is required for all legal decision making (custody) cases.
• Marital Settlement Agreement: The MSA memorizes the terms and conditions of the divorce -- the division and distribution of assets and liabilities, support and if applicable child support. The form FA-4150, Marital Settlement Agreement With Minor Children, or the form FA-4151, Marital Settlement Agreement Without Minor Children, is used to memorialize the agreement.
• Proposed Parenting Plan: FA-4147. The Proposed Parenting Plan, usually filed by the Petitioner, spells out the terms and conditions of custody and visitation of minor children. Unless he or she can show "good cause for [the] delay," the petitioner who fails to do this loses the right to contest any plan submitted by the respondent when both parties agree, each should sign the Proposed Parenting Plan.
• Schedule for Visitation of Minor Children: This schedule shows the visitation and parenting time routine for the noncustodial parent.
• Financial Disclosure Statement: FA-4139. No later than 90 days after service of process, either individually or as Joint Petitioners, the parties must file a Financial Disclosure Statement, which provides the court with detailed information about monthly income and expenses, assets and liabilities. This form does not have to be notarized.
• Child Support Guidelines: Wisconsin courts use to set child support payment amounts called the Percentage of Income Standard. This standard considers the income of the parent, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, and if the parent is supporting other children.
• Child Support Schedule: This schedule shows estimate child support payments.
• Child Support Worksheet: This worksheet is used to calculate estimated child support.
• Request for a Status Conference: FA-4132V. The Request For Status Conference allows a party who believes the court should conduct a hearing on the current or future progress of the case to request such a hearing.
• Finding of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Judgment: Either form FA-4160, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Judgment With Minor Children (nine pages), or form FA-4161, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Judgment Without Minor Children (five pages), stipulates the court's findings of fact concerning the marriage and the conclusions that apply.