Financial Analysis for Divorce and Marital Dissolution in Wisconsin

By Christopher Skerritt, M.Ed., MBA, Chief of Economic Services · Published · Reviewed

KW Economics prepares financial analyses for divorce and marital dissolution matters venued in Wisconsin: income available for support, the value of business interests in the marital estate, and the tracing of separate and marital funds, each presented so that either spouse or the court can examine the figures.

A divorce or marital dissolution matter asks what income each spouse has available for support, what the marital assets, including any business interest, are worth for the division of the estate, and which assets are separate rather than marital. Each is answered from the business books, tax returns, and account histories rather than from the tax return alone. Read the full divorce and marital dissolution analysis guide.

Wisconsin courts and expert standards

Wisconsin courts screen expert testimony for reliability: the judge asks whether the economist is qualified, whether the opinion rests on sufficient facts and reliable principles and methods, and whether those methods were reliably applied to the case. An economic damages report is written to that inquiry, with each rate and table traced to a published source.

Where these cases are heard

Highest court: Wisconsin Supreme Court. Federal venues: E.D. Wis., W.D. Wis. Court system: wicourts.gov.

Legal framework

Whether Wisconsin divides marital property equitably or as community property, which valuation date applies, how income available for support is defined, and how the goodwill of a professional practice is treated are questions of law that counsel confirms; the report presents each finding so it can be applied under either party's position.

How the analysis is built

The same four steps apply to a divorce and marital dissolution matter venued in Wisconsin; the governing framework in Wisconsin decides how each finding is applied.

  1. Normalize the business's cash flow for owner compensation, personal expenses paid through the business, related-party dealings, and non-recurring items, listing each adjustment with its source.
  2. Value the business or practice as of the date the governing framework requires, under the income, market, and asset approaches as the facts support, and address personal and enterprise goodwill where the framework distinguishes them.
  3. Determine each spouse's income available for support from the same normalized statements, including distributions, perquisites, and cash flow retained in the business beyond reported salary.
  4. Trace separate property through the account statements step by step, classify commingled funds under the framework counsel identifies, and reduce pensions and deferred compensation to present value with the assumptions stated.

Attorney guides for divorce and marital dissolution cases

Other case types in Wisconsin

Frequently asked: divorce and marital dissolution cases in Wisconsin

Which Wisconsin courts hear divorce and marital dissolution cases?

Divorce and Marital Dissolution cases venued in Wisconsin are heard in the Circuit Court (General jurisdiction; one in each of 72 counties; all civil, criminal, family, and probate matters). Final appeals run to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Matters within federal jurisdiction proceed in the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Western District of Wisconsin.

How does Wisconsin's family-law framework shape the financial analysis?

Whether Wisconsin divides marital property equitably or as community property, which valuation date applies, how income available for support is defined, and how the goodwill of a professional practice is treated are questions of law that counsel confirms; the report presents each finding so it can be applied under either party's position. Wisconsin courts screen expert testimony for reliability: the judge asks whether the economist is qualified, whether the opinion rests on sufficient facts and reliable principles and methods, and whether those methods were reliably applied to the case. An economic damages report is written to that inquiry, with each rate and table traced to a published source.

More questions about divorce and marital dissolution analysis

References

Request a consultation on divorce and marital dissolution cases in Wisconsin or call (201) 343-0700. Plaintiff and defense counsel.