In Wisconsin the issue of child support in a divorce follows a fairly structured statutory process. The amount of child support paid is based upon a number of factors including the number of children, the amount of overnights the child/children spend with each parent and the gross income of each parent. Child support is generally governed by the Wisconsin Child Support Guidelines. The determination of the amount of support is usually a simple mathematical calculation after these factors are identified. When it comes to child support a few factors could complicate the issue. Besides child support, there are other expenses you may be responsible for such as financial assistance for health insurance, child care, doctor bills, dental bills and transportation.
Child Custody and Visitation
Divorce is an emotional process, which is why our family law attorneys strive to provide clear guidance, effective advocacy and honest communication so you can get on with your life in a dignified and manageable way. Our attorneys are skilled at helping clients make the divorce process as civil and uncomplicated as possible, which can save both time and money – which is especially important in cases where child custody, child support and spousal support are also at issue. Wisconsin is a “no fault” divorce state. This means that the court process is not affected by the reasons you are getting divorced. Often the Judge in your divorce will not even allow testimony about bad conduct during your marriage. The basis that must be shown in court to entitle you to a divorce is whether your marriage is irretrievably broken; your testimony that this is the case will usually be enough to show this to the Judge’s satisfaction. This does not eliminate more complicated litigation in your divorce, but the issues that may be litigated do not include the “why” of your divorce. When necessary, our attorneys will be prepared to litigate issues in your divorce zealously. Whenever possible, however, they will assist you in resolving your marital differences without bitter conflict.
Paternity
Guardianship
Spousal Support
Our family law attorneys handle matters including, but not limited to: divorce; child support, placement and custody; spousal support; property division; and marital agreements.
Legal Separation
Legal separation is similar to divorce in Wisconsin. You file the same kind of legal papers, and you go through the legal process the same way you would for a divorce. You still go through the processes of...
Annulment
A legal separation can be simple or complicated depending on many factors. The attorneys at Aplin & Ringsmuth are up-to-date with the current laws, regulations, procedures and necessary documents to be filed with the Courts that apply to your legal issue. In some cases, a divorce may not be the appropriate legal process. Aplin & Ringsmuth also handles annulments and legal separations.
Mark A. Ringsmuth, has been a trial attorney since graduating from law school. In 2005, he opened Aplin & Ringsmuth, LLC with Attorney Ron Aplin. He also served five years as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Mark earned his B.A. degree from the University of California at San Diego in 1993 and majored in Political Science with a minor in Economics. He earned his J.D. degree from Loyola Law School in 1996. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, all state courts in Wisconsin, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Mark is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Dane County Bar Association and the Wisconsin Association of Worker’s Compensation Attorneys. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America. Mark lives on the west side of Madison with his wife and two children.
Jack W. Ebbott is a shareholder at Aplin & Ringsmuth, LLC. He primarily practices in the area of worker’s compensation defense, representing employers and insurers in defending worker’s compensation claims. Jack also practices in the areas of employment law, business law, family law and real estate. Jack earned his B.A. in political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Jack began his legal career as a staff attorney with the Outagamie County Circuit Court in Appleton, Wisconsin, and joined Aplin & Ringsmuth as an associate in 2007. Jack lives on the west side of Madison with his wife, JoAnn, and their two children – Andy and Hannah. In his free time, Jack enjoys spending time with his family, running, drumming and sports.
We also assist clients with negotiating and drafting employment contracts, including both severance agreements and employment contracts.
Employment Litigation
Non-compete Agreement
Increasingly, employers need properly drafted non-compete agreements and restrictive covenants to protect trade secrets, sales lists and other proprietary information. Our employment attorneys ensure these agreements are properly drafted to protect their business interests, and, when necessary, litigate the enforceability of non-competition agreements.
Severance Agreement
Sexual Harassment
The team of employment lawyers at Aplin & Ringsmuth, LLC, handles allegations of discrimination and harassment based on gender, race, age, national origin, religion and disability status. Our firm also handles cases involving the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as claims involving sexual harassment or violations of other federal and state discrimination laws. We have experience litigating the following employment based claims at all levels—from the administrative hearing through federal court.
Aplin & Ringsmuth also has significant experience in litigating real estate matters of all shapes and sizes, whether for larger commercial real estate clients or first-time home buyers.
Premises Liability
Real Estate Transactions
Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, or purchase additional land for your expanding business, Aplin & Ringsmuth, LLC can assist you in the often complex process of residential and commercial real estate transactions. Our attorneys will protect your interests through every step of the real estate transaction – from the offer to purchase through closing, and after closing if water damage or other problems are discovered after purchase.
Property Damage
We represent individuals involved in personal injury, property damage, sexual harassment, discrimination, estate planning, probate, criminal, and family law disputes.
We represent clients involving with claims of personal injury arising as a result of the allegedly negligence, carelessness or recklessness of others. Our firm handles all types of serious and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases involving...
Medical Malpractice
We have experience handling all workplace injuries and disability claims of all types, including soft-tissue injuries, broken bones, back and neck injuries, knee pain, shoulder injuries, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, chronic pain, head and brain injuries, and death claims. We handle all aspects of complicated worker’s compensation claims such as cases involving occupational work-place exposure, Medicare set-aside trusts, structured settlements, permanent and total disability claims, death claims, and medical malpractice.
At Aplin & Ringsmuth, LLC, our attorneys can assist you in identifying your estate planning needs and in preparing the necessary documents to finalize your estate plan and ensure all your wishes are carried out.
Wills
Advance planning for healthcare and health-related financial matters, including living wills, healthcare power of attorney and durable financial power of attorney
Trusts
Power of Attorney
Estate planning considerations may lead you to make a will or trust. You might want to create a “living will” or a document known as a Power of Attorney for healthcare and financial management should you become unable to make certain important legal decisions. These documents can insure that strangers are not making healthcare and financial decisions on your behalf. The attorneys at Aplin & Ringsmuth can explain these options, help you evaluate your needs, and, when you are ready, prepare the appropriate documents to ensure your wishes are followed.
Aplin & Ringsmuth represents the interest of banks and other creditors in the following types of matters: foreclosure, replevin, small claims collections and garnishments. Our representative clients include Fannie Mae and Bank of Deerfield.