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Checklist for Contested Divorce-Dane County
Obtain Summons and Petition for Divorce and Confidential Petition Addendum (forms available at Legal Resource Center (LRC), Rm. L1007 in the Dane County Courthouse or online at: http://www.countyofdane.com/clrkcort/clrkhome.htm ). DO NOT write Social Security numbers on the Summons & Petition. Social Security numbers must be placed on the Confidential Petition Addendum form. Optional - If temporary order hearing is necessary; obtain Order to Show Cause for Temporary Order when you get Summons and Petition. File original and three copies of Summons and Petition for Divorce (1 for you and 2 for service on your spouse) and pay filing fee in the Clerk of Courts (COC) Room 1000, Dane County Courthouse. One copy of the Confidential Petition Addendum is required. Optional-If you feel you cannot pay the filing fee you may apply for a Petition for Waiver of Filing and Service Fees at the Court Commissioner Center (CCC) Room 2000, Dane County Courthouse. (Form available at LRC, CCC, COC or online) Optional -File original and three copies of Order to Show Cause for Temporary Order with the CCC if hearing is needed. Serve Summons and Petition and, if applicable, Order to Show for Temporary Order, on other party (respondent). Dane County Sheriff Civil Process Office or private process servers (see yellow pages) will serve legal documents for a fee. If your spouse will admit to receiving the forms from you, obtain an "Admission of Service" form (available at LRC or online), for your spouse to sign. Return original Proof of Service from Process Server, or Admission of Service, to the CCC or COC. Retain one copy for yourself Optional-Attend temporary order hearing if one is requested. Complete Marital Settlement Agreement or Partial Marital Settlement Agreement (if unable to resolve all issues) The Marital Settlement Agreement form may be obtained from the LRC or online. OR Request status conference/pretrial before the CCC if there is not total agreement on all divorce issues after you have tried to settle the issue. File original of the Marital Settlement Agreement / Partial Marital Settlement Agreement with the CCC. (Each party should retain a copy). File the Original Certificate of Divorce or Annulment form (Vital Statistics form) with the CCC. (Forms available from COC, CCC, or LRC). YOU CANNOT GET A FINAL HEARING DATE UNTIL ALL ABOVE ITEMS ARE COMPLETED After these steps are completed, the CCC will complete the Certificate of Readiness for Trial form. (The CCC will send it to the Judge so the divorce hearing can be scheduled). Complete the Financial Disclosure Statement. (You can obtain this form from the Legal Resource Center or on-line) Attend divorce trial. Judge's Office will send you notice of a trial date after a Certificate of Readiness has been received in the Judge's Office. (Bring your Completed Financial Disclosure Statement and Proof of Service of the Order for Appearance, if applicable to the trial and be prepared to present your case). After divorce hearing, prepare Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Judgment documents, with three copies and submit to the Judge for signature. (If the final judgment is not filed within 30 days, as required under Wis. Stats. 767.251, the judge may initiate
an Order to Show Cause for contempt hearing against the attorney/party responsible for preparing and filing the documents. The judge may impose appropriate sanctions.). Forms available at LRC or online.

Legal Resource Center: (LRC) Room L1007, 266-6316, [email protected] Court Commissioner Center (CCC): Room 2000 Clerk of Courts (COC): Room 1000

Dane County Courthouse 215 S Hamilton Street Madison, WI 53703

Information number: 266-4311

04/07