Filing for divorce in Wisconsin without an attorney costs $200 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 6 months in Wisconsin, 30 days in county. Wisconsin is a community property state with a 120 days waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 4-6 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Wisconsin-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $200 (The filing fee is $200 statewide in Wisconsin. Additional fees for service may apply.) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Wisconsin, 30 days in county |
| Waiting Period | 120 days |
| Property Division | Community Property (50/50) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage |
| No-Fault Only? | Yes |
| Uncontested Timeline | 4-6 months |
| Contested Timeline | 9 months to 2 years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Wisconsin, you must meet the following residency requirement: 6 months in Wisconsin, 30 days in county.
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Wisconsin for at least 6 months AND a resident of the county where you file for at least 30 days before filing.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Wisconsin's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Wisconsin without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Wisconsin for at least 6 months AND a resident of the county where you file for at least 30 days before filing.
Download the official Wisconsin divorce forms: Joint Petition for Divorce, Summons and Petition, Financial Disclosure Statement. All forms are available from the Wisconsin courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (FA-4100V) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Wisconsin court and pay the filing fee of $200. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Wisconsin rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Wisconsin law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Wisconsin has a mandatory 120-day waiting period from the date the petition is served on the respondent. This period cannot be shortened or waived.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Wisconsin, this typically takes 4-6 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Wisconsin. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
If filing together
If filing alone
Required disclosure
If you agree on terms
Court findings
The filing fee to start a divorce in Wisconsin is $200. The filing fee is $200 statewide in Wisconsin. Additional fees for service may apply.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $200 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $400-$1,500 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Wisconsin offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Wisconsin, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Wisconsin courts are strict about service requirements.
Wisconsin is a community property state.
Wisconsin is a community property state. Marital property is presumed to be divided equally (50/50). The court may deviate from equal division based on factors like length of marriage and contribution.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Wisconsin law applies to your specific property.
Wisconsin uses the Percentage of income model.
Wisconsin uses a percentage of income model. The paying parent pays a percentage of their gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, 34% for five or more.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Wisconsin divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $200 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
120 days - Wisconsin has a mandatory 120-day waiting period from the date the petition is served on the respondent. This period cannot be shortened or waived.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
No-fault only state
Community property state (one of 9)
Mandatory 120-day waiting period
Percentage of income child support
Joint petition option available
County residence requirement (30 days)
Common questions about filing for divorce in Wisconsin without an attorney.
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Wisconsin-specific forms
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Financial disclosure wizard
Complete your financial affidavit step-by-step
Child support calculator
Using Wisconsin's exact guidelines
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Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.
All Wisconsin divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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