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If you and your spouse both agree to a divorce and have sorted out all related issues, like property division and custody arrangements, a DIY divorce might work for you. This can be a quick, cost-effective alternative to traditional divorce proceedings. However, choosing to handle your own divorce without the proper knowledge and support can lead to mistakes that can cause delays or lead to problems down the road.
To support individuals pursuing this route, Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. offers the Divorce Institute—a series of in-depth, informational workshops designed to help you understand the divorce process and complete your case without formal legal representation. That way, you stay in control of your divorce terms, and things get done the right way. These workshops offer a structured, educational alternative to one-on-one consultations—helping you move forward with confidence and clarity. Contact us today to learn more about the Divorce Institute and how we can help you move forward with your DIY Divorce.
If you and your spouse agree on all major issues, you might not need to go through drawn-out court hearings or spend thousands on a full-service lawyer. The DIY route allows you to keep control of your divorce process while saving time and money. However, going completely without legal knowledge can still lead to problems. We’ve noticed this issue, and created a solution.
The Divorce Institute is a practical and cost-effective solution for individuals who want to represent themselves in a divorce but would benefit from professional guidance. Instead of paying for multiple one-on-one consultations, attendees can join group workshops covering specific topics, steps, and forms commonly addressed during the divorce process. The Divorce Institute offers educational workshops to help you:
Understand the paperwork and filing process
Learn the timelines and court expectations
Access helpful forms, checklists, and sample language
Avoid common mistakes that lead to delays or rejections
Led by our experienced family law attorneys, the Divorce Institute workshops are informational only and do not include legal advice or representation. If you decide you need legal assistance beyond the workshop, you may schedule a consultation and sign a Legal Services Agreement to retain one of our attorneys.
If you and your spouse agree on all major issues, it is possible to handle the divorce process on your own by following certain legal steps. The Divorce Institute can help make sure your paperwork is accurate, and your court filings stay on track. Here are some of the key steps involved when you decide to try and file for divorce on your own:
Choose How You Will File: You and your spouse can file together with a joint petition, or one of you can file alone and serve the other with divorce papers.
File Your Initial Paperwork With the Court: You must file your petition and other required forms with the Clerk of Circuit Court and pay a filing fee.
Serve the Other Party: If you didn’t file jointly, you need to make sure your spouse receives the divorce papers and file proof of service with the court.
Reach a Written Agreement: You and your spouse must write down your full agreement on matters like property, support, and parenting, then submit it to the court.
Complete Your Final Paperwork: Before the court hearing, you must fill out financial disclosures, a marital settlement agreement, and final judgment forms.
Review and File Your Documents: Check your paperwork for legal accuracy and file it with the court to help you avoid delays or rejections.
Attend the Final Hearing: You must show up in court, answer a few questions, and give the judge your completed forms. If everything is in order, the judge will finalize your divorce.
The Divorce Institute offers five focused workshops designed to walk you through every stage of the Wisconsin divorce process. Each session gives you the structure, forms, and information you need to complete your divorce while avoiding common mistakes that delay cases or cause long-term problems. Dates for live, in-person workshops are posted on our website and social media.
Below is a breakdown of what each workshop covers and how it helps:
This workshop is your starting point. It helps you understand how to initiate your divorce, what forms are required, how to properly file them, and how to serve the other party. You’ll also receive a checklist of tasks to complete, along with a timeline of key events and deadlines.
This session walks you through the financial side of divorce, including how to accurately complete your Financial Disclosure Statement and use a Property Division Worksheet to organize and divide your assets and debts. You’ll also learn when you may need appraisals, business valuations, or vocational evaluations to properly assess earning capacity or asset value.
In this workshop, you’ll learn about temporary hearings. These are often needed to address support, custody, or placement arrangements while the divorce is pending. You’ll also receive a clear explanation of how temporary support is calculated and how to gather information using discovery tools. This session helps you understand what the court may order on a temporary basis.
This workshop helps you draft one of the most important documents in your case: the Marital Settlement Agreement. You’ll also learn what to include in the Judgment of Divorce and what post-divorce issues (like name changes or future disputes) you should be aware of. This session will give you the knowledge to complete your final paperwork before you appear in court.
For divorcing parents, this session provides critical guidance on child-related legal processes. You’ll learn how to draft a Proposed Parenting Plan, what to expect from mediation or the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) process, and how courts handle placement and custody decisions. This workshop also explains how child support is calculated and what resources are available to help you manage those responsibilities. It’s an essential session for anyone navigating co-parenting arrangements or child-related court requirements.
What is included:
-Packet of forms for topics to be discussed in each workshop
-Sample language to use for agreements
-Step-by-step instructions for completing forms and drafting agreements
-Step-by step instructions for running calculations in Workshops 1, 2 and 5
-FAQs for each workshop
-Sample Property Division Worksheet with instructions on how to create your own
-Timeline of events and deadlines for case
-“How to” instructions for each Workshop
-Q&A session at each Workshop (note: no legal advice will be provided—only general
information)
-$100 off consultation fee with a PBC attorney following attendance at one or more
workshops
-$100 off any estate plan with a PBC attorney following attendance at one or more
workshops (10% off any estate plan with a PBC attorney if all 5 workshops attended)
While these Workshops will be led by a Family Law Attorney from PBC Law, S.C., legal advice will not be provided, as this is a Workshop and does not constitute legal representation or creation of an attorney-client relationship or attorney-client privilege concerning specifics of each and every attendee’s case. For specific legal advice, individuals must retain an attorney to assist them.
To file for divorce in Wisconsin, you must meet the state’s residency rules. Either you or your spouse must have lived in Wisconsin for at least six months. You also must have lived in the county where you plan to file for at least 30 days. If you don’t meet both rules, you’ll need to wait until you do.
You must file your divorce in the circuit court for your county. Along with your petition, you’ll need to submit other forms like financial disclosures, a confidential petition addendum, and, if you have kids, a proposed parenting plan. The court also charges a filing fee. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court for a fee waiver.
Filing for divorce on your own may seem simple if you and your spouse agree on everything, but many people run into problems that slow down the process or cause long-term issues. These workshops help you:
Use the correct and complete forms
Understand court timelines and procedural rules
Draft clear, enforceable terms
Avoid assumptions that courts will fix errors
Stay compliant with county-specific requirements
Workshops do not replace legal representation. If you need tailored legal advice, we may advise you to book a consultation with one of our attorneys.
If you think you and your spouse can handle your divorce without a court fight but want help getting it done the right way, Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., can help. The Divorce Institute was designed to maximize the value of your time and resources. These workshops are packed with practical, structured information. It’s an ideal way to move your case forward without unnecessary costs. Contact us today to register or learn more about the Divorce Institute, or ask if DIY Divorce is right for you!
