The Law Center, S.C. | Wisconsin Divorce, Paternity & Child Custody Attorneys
Wisconsin Divorce, Paternity & Child Custody Attorneys

When Your Family Is Changing, You Can Depend on Us

The Law Center, S.C. represents clients in Dane County, Columbia County, and throughout Wisconsin with a focus on protecting children, preserving important relationships, and finding a path forward that makes sense for the family.

The Law Center Legal Team
Dedicated Family Law Advocates Serving Families Throughout Wisconsin
Serving Wisconsin Families Since 2002
Long-Term Client Relationships
Family Law With a Conscience
What Can a Wisconsin Family Law Attorney Help With?

Family Law Decisions That Reach Far Beyond the Courtroom

A divorce, paternity case, or custody dispute can affect where your child lives, who makes important decisions, how you divide your finances, and what your family looks like. Our Wisconsin family law attorneys can help when:

You Are Considering or Facing Divorce

Whether you expect to reach an agreement or anticipate serious disagreements, our divorce attorneys can help address property, finances, support, custody, placement, and the other decisions that come with ending a marriage.

Your Divorce Involves Children

Children have the right to a secure and stable family environment, regardless of what is happening between their parents. We keep their well-being at the center while protecting your rights as a parent.

You Need to Establish Paternity

Establishing paternity can clarify a father's legal rights and responsibilities and create a path for addressing custody, placement, decision-making, and child support.

A Paternity Case Has Become a Parenting Dispute

Paternity issues do not always end once parentage is established. Disagreements over placement, school choice, relocation, decision-making, or support may arise as children grow and circumstances change.

You Disagree About Child Custody or Placement

When parents cannot agree about major decisions or parenting time, we help them work toward an arrangement that protects the child and provides as much stability as possible.

Your Current Custody Arrangement No Longer Works

Schedules change. Children grow. Parents relocate. New concerns may arise. Our attorneys can help determine whether a custody or placement order should be revisited and what options Wisconsin law provides.

The Child Comes First

What Does “Winning” a Family Law Case Mean?

At The Law Center, a successful family law case means finding the best solution for the family, especially for the child.

We believe children have the right to be loved, nurtured, respected, and free from harm, fear, and uncertainty. Before accepting a case involving a child, we apply what our firm calls the “sleep at night” test: will the outcome we are being asked to pursue actually be good for the child?

When the answer is yes, our team gets to work.

The Law Center Legal Consultation Team
Law With a Conscience

Finding the Right Path, the Right Way

Our job is to bring calm, clear legal advice to the situation while advocating strongly for the people we represent.

Sometimes the right approach is negotiation. Sometimes it is mediation or collaboration. Sometimes a case belongs in court.

The Law Center has experienced negotiators, collaborative family law attorneys, and litigators who can adjust the approach to the needs of the case.

We will tell you the reality of your situation and your options, help you understand what comes next, and stay focused on an outcome your family can actually live with.

Our Approach

Family Law is All About People

Every family is different. Our approach begins with understanding what is happening, what is at stake, and what you are trying to protect.

01.

Tell Us What Is Happening

Our intake team starts by learning about your situation, the other people involved, and the legal issue you are facing. Every inquiry is reviewed so we can determine whether The Law Center is the right fit.

02.

Understand Your Options

We look at the issues involved in your divorce, paternity case, or custody dispute and explain the legal paths available to you.

03.

Choose the Right Approach

Settlement may make sense. Collaboration or mediation may make sense. Litigation may be necessary. We help you understand the advantages and risks of each approach before moving forward.

04.

Work Toward a Lasting Resolution

The goal is not simply to reach the end of a case. We work toward a resolution that protects your rights, considers your child's needs, and gives your family a workable way forward.

Serving Dane County, Columbia County & Families Across Wisconsin

Helping You and Yours, Wherever You Are in the State

The Law Center has deep ties to this part of Wisconsin. From our Madison and Oregon offices, we work with families throughout Dane County, Columbia County, and communities across the state.

That means helping parents and spouses in growing Madison-area communities, families who have lived in the same town for generations, and people whose lives stretch across county lines because of work, school, parenting schedules, or extended family.

Madison Office Oregon Office Dane County Columbia County Statewide Wisconsin Representation
Testimonials

Hear From the Families We Have Helped

★★★★★

“Now that my divorce is final, and I've had time to reflect, one word keeps coming to mind: gratitude. Thoughts of Sara and the team at The Law Center follow. Sara created a safe space for me to land with all of my questions and concerns. She encouraged me to use my voice and speak my truth. I felt supported, heard, seen and valued for my experience and position.”

Heidi Nelson
★★★★★

“I would like to commend Sara Vanden Brook for being the utmost professional in her role as a GAL in my case. She is as smart as the come, very fair, compassionate, empathetic, and truly interested in what is best for a child. I feel blessed that she is/was my child's GAL.”

Kerry Weber
★★★★★

“I am incredibly grateful for his support through a very difficult family case. He helped me navigate a complex situation and continued to advocate strongly on my behalf throughout the entire process. He fought hard for both my and my children’s best interests and safety, and provided timely, strategic, top-notch guidance. I felt confident and protected every step of the way.”

D Champion
Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About Divorce, Paternity & Child Custody in Wisconsin

A divorce attorney can help you address the legal and practical issues that arise when a marriage ends, including property and financial matters, support, and issues involving children. The Law Center handles both cases where spouses may be able to reach an agreement and cases that require strong courtroom advocacy.
Wisconsin child custody involves decision-making authority for a child. Major decisions can include education, medical care, and other significant matters affecting the child's upbringing. Custody is separate from physical placement, which addresses when a child is in each parent's care.
Legal custody concerns who has authority to make major decisions for the child. Physical placement concerns the time a child spends in each parent's care. Parents may agree on one issue while disagreeing on the other, so both need to be considered carefully in a divorce, paternity case, or later custody dispute.
Paternity legally establishes a child's father and can provide a basis for addressing parental rights and responsibilities. A paternity case may also involve legal custody, physical placement, child support, school decisions, relocation, and other issues affecting the child's life.
Yes. Wisconsin law allows custody and placement orders to be modified in certain circumstances. The legal standard depends in part on how much time has passed since the existing order and what has changed for the child or family. The central question remains whether the requested change serves the child's best interests.
Not every case requires a contested courtroom fight. The Law Center handles family law matters through negotiation, collaborative approaches, and litigation. We help clients consider the full range of options and determine which approach fits their circumstances.
Yes. The Law Center can represent mothers and fathers in paternity and custody matters, though clearly not within the same case. Our focus is on the facts of the family, the legal rights involved, and, above all, whether the outcome being pursued is good for the child.
Yes. The Law Center represents families throughout Wisconsin, and we would be happy to talk to you to help, no matter where you are in the state.
Request a Family Law Consultation

Your Family Depends on You. You Can Depend on Us.

If you are facing divorce, a paternity matter, or a child custody dispute, tell us what is happening.

The Law Center, S.C. will review your inquiry and determine whether our family law team can help. If we take your case, you will have a team focused on your rights, your family, and a resolution you can live with.

Direct Phone Consultation
(608) 821-8200

Request a Consultation

Please complete the form below for a confidential inquiry.

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The Law Center, S.C.
Madison & Oregon, WI Offices · Serving Dane County, Columbia County & Statewide
(608) 821-8200
The Law Center, S.C. · Copyright © 2026 · All Rights Reserved
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