Wisconsin Specific

How Long Does Divorce Take in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has a mandatory waiting period of 120 days. Uncontested divorces typically take 2–4 months after the waiting period. Contested cases can take 1–3+ years depending on the issues involved.

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Key Facts

Waiting period

120 days

Residency requirement

6 months state, 30 days county

Divorce type

No-Fault Only

Filing fee

$180–$220

The Wisconsin Divorce Process

Meet residency requirements

You or your spouse must have lived in Wisconsin for 6 months state, 30 days county before filing.

File the divorce petition

One spouse files the petition with the court and pays the filing fee ($180–$220). Fee waivers available for low income.

Serve your spouse

The other spouse must be formally served with divorce papers. They then have a set time (usually 20–30 days) to file a response.

Exchange financial disclosures

Both spouses must disclose all income, assets, and debts. This is mandatory and cannot be skipped.

Negotiate or litigate

If you agree on everything, submit a settlement. If not, try mediation first. If mediation fails, the case goes to trial.

Final judgment

Once all issues are resolved and the 120 days waiting period has passed, the judge signs the final judgment and your divorce is complete.

Tips to Speed Up Your Wisconsin Divorce

✓Complete financial disclosures quickly and thoroughly — delays here waste the most time

✓Consider mediation before litigation — faster, cheaper, less adversarial

✓Agree on as much as possible before hiring attorneys

✓Be organized — gather financial documents yourself

✓Be realistic about what you want — fighting over small items costs more than they're worth

Every situation is different

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Legal Disclaimer: This article covers Wisconsin divorce law for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed Wisconsin family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.