SB123: Bill Text

SB123,36,7 (b) The court or circuit court commissioner may not require the parties to attend a class under this subsection as a condition to the granting of the final judgment or order in the divorce or paternity action, however, the court or circuit court commissioner may refuse to hear a custody or physical placement motion of a party who refuses to attend a class ordered under this subsection.

SB123,36,9 (c) 2. If the court or circuit court commissioner finds that a party is indigent, any costs that would be the responsibility of that party shall be paid by the county.

SB123, s. 64 Section 64. 767.117 (1) (title) and (3) (title) of the statutes are created to read:

SB123,36,11 767.117 (1) (title) Prohibitions.

SB123,36,12 (3) (title) Violations.

SB123, s. 65 Section 65. 767.12 (title) and (1) of the statutes are renumbered 767.235 (title) and (1) and amended to read:

SB123,36,20 767.235 (title) Trial procedure or hearing on judgment. (1) Proceedings Before court. In actions an action affecting the family, all hearings and trials to determine whether judgment shall be granted, except hearings under s. 757.69 (1) (p) 3., shall be before the court. The testimony Testimony shall be taken by the reporter and shall be written out transcribed and filed with the record if so ordered by the court. Custody proceedings shall receive have priority in being set for hearing.

SB123, s. 66 Section 66. 767.12 (2) and (3) of the statutes are renumbered 767.315 (1) and (2) and amended to read:

SB123,37,4 767.315 (1) Irretrievable breakdown. (a) If both of the parties to a legal separation or divorce action by petition or otherwise have stated under oath or affirmation that the marriage is irretrievably broken, or if the parties have voluntarily lived apart continuously for 12 months or more immediately prior to commencement of the action and one party has so stated, the court, after hearing, shall make a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken for purposes of s. 767.35 (1) (b) 1.

SB123,37,10 (b) If the parties to a legal separation or divorce action have not voluntarily lived apart for at least 12 months immediately prior to commencement of the action and if only one party has stated under oath or affirmation that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the circumstances that gave rise to filing the petition and the prospect of reconciliation., and proceed as follows:

SB123,37,13 1. If the court finds no reasonable prospect of reconciliation, it shall make a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken; or for purposes of s. 767.35 (1) (b) 1.

SB123,37,21 2. If the court finds that there is a reasonable prospect of reconciliation, it shall continue the matter for further hearing not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days later, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be reached on the court's calendar, and may suggest to the parties that they seek counseling. The court, at the request of either party or on its own motion, may order counseling. At the adjourned hearing, if either party states under oath or affirmation that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court shall make a finding whether the marriage is irretrievably broken for purposes of s. 767.35 (1) (b) 1.

SB123,38,2 (2) Breakdown of marital relationship. If both of the parties to a legal separation or divorce action by petition or otherwise have stated under oath or affirmation that the marital relationship is broken, the court, after hearing, shall make a finding that the marital relationship is broken for purposes of s. 767.35 (1) (b) 2.

SB123, s. 67 Section 67. 767.125 of the statutes is renumbered 767.235 (2) and amended to read:

SB123,38,12 767.235 (2) Order for appearance Appearance of litigants. Unless nonresidence in the state is shown by competent evidence, service is by publication, or the court shall for other good cause orders otherwise order, both parties in actions affecting the family shall be required to appear upon the final hearing or trial. An order of the court or a circuit court commissioner to that effect shall accordingly be procured by the moving party, and shall be served upon the nonmoving party before the hearing or trial. In No order is required in the case of a joint petition the order is not required.

Note: Clarifies that the appearance requirement extends to final hearings.

SB123, s. 68 Section 68. 767.127 (3) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB123,38,14 767.127 (3) (title) Confidentiality of disclosed information.

SB123, s. 69 Section 69 . 767.14 of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Repealed as unnecessary. The repealed section provides:

767.14 Service on office of family court commissioner and appearance by circuit court commissioner. In any action affecting the family, each party shall, either within 20 days after making service on the opposite party of any petition or pleading or before filing such petition or pleading in court, serve a copy of the same upon the circuit court commissioner supervising the office of family court commissioner of the county in which the action is begun, whether such action is contested or not. No judgment in any such action shall be granted unless this section is complied with except when otherwise ordered by the court. A circuit court commissioner assisting in matters affecting the family may appear in an action under this chapter when appropriate; and shall appear when requested by the court.

Those judicial circuits desiring to continue service on the circuit court court commissioner may do so by adopting a local rule.

SB123, s. 70 Section 70. 767.145 (title) and (1) of the statutes are repealed.

Note: Reflects the repeal of s. 767.14 by Sec. 69 of this bill. Section 767.145 (1) provides:

767.145 (1) After the expiration of the period specified by the statute, the court may in its discretion, upon petition and without notice, extend the time within which service shall be made upon the circuit court commissioner supervising the office of family court commissioner.

SB123, s. 71 Section 71. 767.145 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 767.215 (4) (a) and amended to read:

SB123,39,5 767.215 (4) (a) Except as provided in s. 767.456 par. (b) and s. 767.815, extension of time under any other circumstances shall be is governed by s. 801.15 (2), except that the.

SB123,39,11 (b) The court may, upon the petitioner's demonstration of good cause, and without notice, order one additional 60-day extension for service of the initial papers in the action if the extension motion is made within 90 days after filing the initial papers. If the extension motion is not made within the 90-day period, the court may grant the motion only if it finds excusable neglect for failure to act and good cause shown for granting the extension.

Note: Clarifies when motions for a 60-day extension for serving the initial papers must be made and the standard for granting the motion if made more than 90 days after filing the papers.

SB123, s. 72 Section 72. 767.15 of the statutes is renumbered 767.217 and amended to read:

SB123,40,2 767.217 (title) Service on child support program Notice to Child Support Program. (1) Notice of pleading or motion. In any an action affecting the family in which either party is a recipient of benefits under ss. 49.141 to 49.161 or aid under s. 46.261, 49.19, or 49.45, each party shall, either within 20 days after making service on serving the opposite party of any with a motion or pleading requesting the court or circuit court commissioner to order, or to modify a previous order, relating to child support, maintenance, or family support, or before filing the motion or pleading in court, serve a copy of the motion or pleading upon on the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) of the county in which the action is begun.

SB123,40,6 (2) Notice of appeal. In any an appeal of any an action affecting the family in which support or maintenance of a child of any party is at issue, the person who initiates the appeal shall notify the department of the appeal by sending a copy of the notice of appeal to the department.

SB123,40,8 (3) Noncompliance. No A judgment in any an action affecting the family may not be granted unless this section is complied with or a court orders otherwise.

SB123, s. 73 Section 73. 767.16 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB123,40,20 767.16 Circuit court commissioner or law partner; when interested; procedure. Neither a A circuit court commissioner assisting in matters affecting the family nor a partner or a member of the commissioner's law firm may not appear in any action affecting the family in any court held in the county in which the circuit court commissioner is acting, except when authorized to appear by s. 767.14. In case the. If a circuit court commissioner or a partner shall be in any way member of the commissioner's law firm is interested in such an action affecting the family and no other circuit court commissioner is available, the presiding judge shall appoint some reputable an attorney to perform the services enjoined upon the act as circuit court commissioner in that action. The appointed attorney shall take and file the oath and receive the compensation provided by law.

Note: 1. Removes as obsolete reference to an appearance by a court commissioner when authorized by s. 767.14. Section 767.14 is repealed by Sec. 69 of this bill.

2. Clarifies remaining language.

SB123, s. 74 Section 74. 767.17 of the statutes is created to read:

SB123,40,23 767.17 Review of circuit court commissioner decisions. A decision of a circuit court commissioner under this chapter is reviewable under s. 757.69 (8).

Note: For convenience, adds a cross-reference to the provision on review of circuit court commissioner decisions by the court, including opportunity for a de novo hearing.

SB123, s. 75 Section 75. 767.19 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

SB123, s. 76 Section 76. 767.19 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 767.13 and amended to read:

SB123,41,12 767.13 Impoundment of record. No Except as provided in s. 767.127 (3), the record or evidence in any case shall an action affecting the family may not be impounded, or and access thereto to the record or evidence may not be refused, except by special written order of the court made in its discretion in the interests of public morals. And when impounded no officer or other for good cause shown. No person shall may permit a copy of any of the testimony or pleadings impounded record or evidence, or the substance thereof of the record or evidence, to be taken by any person other than a party to the action, or his or her attorney of record, without the special order of the unless a court orders otherwise.

Note: 1. Substitutes, as the standard for impounding or denying access to the record or evidence in an action affecting the family, "good cause shown" for "in the interests of public morals". The new language is a more current standard for the exercise of judicial discretion, although it is recognized that it is broader than the previous standard. Inclusion of "shown" in the new language implies that someone other than the court must seek impoundment or denial of access and has the burden of persuading the court.

2. The exception clause refers to the provision on confidentiality of required asset disclosure, treated by Sec. 123 of the bill.

SB123, s. 77 Section 77. 767.19 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 767.235 (3).

SB123, s. 78 Section 78. 767.20 of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act 52, is renumbered 767.395.

SB123, s. 79 Section 79. Subchapter III (title) of chapter 767 [precedes 767.201] of the statutes is created to read:

SB123,41,18 chapter 767

SB123,42,2 subchapter iii general procedure

SB123, s. 80 Section 80 . 767.201 of the statutes is created to read:

SB123,42,7 767.201 Civil procedure generally governs. Except as otherwise provided in the statutes, chs. 801 to 847 govern procedure and practice in an action affecting the family. Except as provided in this chapter, chs. 801 and 802 apply to the content and form of the pleadings and summons in an action affecting the family.

Note: 1. The first sentence is intended to restate the second sentence of current s. 767.01 (1), stats., which provides: "All actions affecting the family shall be commenced and conducted and the orders and judgments enforced according to these statutes in respect to actions in circuit court, as far as applicable, except as provided in this chapter.". (The sentence is stricken from s. 767.01 (1) by Sec. 10 of this bill.)

2. The restated language of the first sentence also reflects current s. 801.01 (1) and (2), which provides:

(1) Kinds. Proceedings in the courts are divided into actions and special proceedings. "Action", as used in chs. 801 to 847, includes "special proceeding" unless a specific provision of procedure in special proceedings exists.

(2) Scope. Chapters 801 to 847 govern procedure and practice in circuit courts of this state in all civil actions and special proceedings whether cognizable as cases at law, in equity or of statutory origin except where different procedure is prescribed by statute or rule. Chapters 801 to 847 shall be construed to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding.

3. The second sentence is intended to restate the last sentence of current s. 767.05 (5), stats., which is stricken by Sec. 32 of this bill.

SB123, s. 81 Section 81. 767.205 (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB123,42,9 767.205 (title) Parties; title of actions.

SB123, s. 82 Section 82. 767.21 of the statutes is renumbered 767.041, and 767.041 (1) (a) and (3), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB123,43,5 767.041 (1) (a) Full faith and credit shall be given in all courts of this state to a judgment in any action affecting the family, except an action relating to child custody, by a court of competent jurisdiction in another state, territory, or possession of the United States, when both spouses personally appear or when the respondent has been personally served. Full faith and credit shall also be given in all courts of this state to the amount of arrearages owed for nonpayment or late payment of a child support, family support, or maintenance payment under an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in another state, territory, or possession of the United States. A court in this state may not adjust the amount of arrearages owed except as provided in s. 767.32 767.59 (1m).

SB123,43,7 (3) Child custody actions. All matters relating to the effect of the judgment of another court concerning child custody shall be are governed by ch. 822.

SB123, s. 83 Section 83. 767.215 (4) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB123,43,9 767.215 (4) (title) Extension of time for service.

SB123, s. 84 Section 84 . 767.215 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

SB123,43,13 767.215 (5) Social security numbers. (a) When the petition under this section is filed with the court, the party filing the petition shall submit a separate form, furnished by the court, containing all of the following:

SB123,43,14 1. The name, date of birth, and social security number of each party.

SB123,43,16 2. The name, date of birth, and social security number of each minor child of the parties and of each child born to the wife during the marriage.

SB123,43,21 (b) A form submitted under this subsection shall be maintained with the confidential information required under s. 767.54 or maintained separately from the case file. The form may be disclosed only to the parties and their attorneys, a county child support enforcement agency, and any other person authorized by law or court order to have access to the information on the form.

Note: Replaces the requirement of current s. 767.085 (1) (a) or (b) that the social security numbers be included on the petition. See, also, the treatment of current s. 767.37 (1) (a) by Sec. 170 of this bill.

SB123, s. 85 Section 85. 767.22 of the statutes is renumbered 767.055 and amended to read:

SB123,44,6 767.055 Uniform divorce recognition act Divorce Recognition Act. (1) Effect of foreign divorce by state domiciliary. A divorce obtained in another jurisdiction shall be is of no force or effect in this state, if the court in such the other jurisdiction lacks subject matter jurisdiction to hear the case because both parties to the marriage were domiciled in this state at the time the proceeding for the divorce was commenced.

SB123,44,13 (2) Proof. Proof that a person obtaining a divorce in another jurisdiction was (a) domiciled in this state within 12 months prior to the commencement of the divorce proceeding therefor, and resumed residence in this state within 18 months after the date of the person's departure therefrom, or (b) from this state, or that at all times after the person's departure from this state, and until the person's return the person maintained a place of residence within this state, shall be is prima facie evidence that the person was domiciled in this state when the divorce proceeding was commenced.

SB123,44,16 (3) Construction. This section shall be so interpreted and construed so as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which that enact it.

SB123,44,17 (4) Title. This section may be cited as the Uniform Divorce Recognition Act.

SB123, s. 86 Section 86. 767.225 (3m) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB123,44,19 767.225 (3m) (title) Availability of domestic abuse restraining order.

SB123, s. 87 Section 87. 767.23 (title) and (1) of the statutes are renumbered 767.225 (title) and (1), and 767.225 (title) and (1) (intro.), (a) to (f), (h) and (k), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB123,44,24 767.225 (title) Temporary orders for support of spouse and children; suit money; attorney fees Orders during pendency of action.

SB123,45,4 (1) Temporary orders. (intro.) Except as provided in ch. 822, in every an action affecting the family, the court or circuit court commissioner may, during the pendency thereof of the action, make just and reasonable temporary orders concerning the following matters:

SB123,45,11 (a) Upon request of one party, granting legal custody of the minor children to the parties jointly, to one party solely, or to a relative or agency specified under s. 767.24 767.41 (3), in a manner consistent with s. 767.24 767.41, except that the court or circuit court commissioner may order sole legal custody without the agreement of the other party and without the findings required under s. 767.24 767.41 (2) (b) 2. This An order may under this paragraph is not have a binding effect on a final custody determination.

SB123,45,15 (am) Upon the request of a party, granting periods of physical placement to a party in a manner consistent with s. 767.24 767.41. The court or circuit court commissioner shall make a determination under this paragraph within 30 days after the request for a temporary order regarding periods of physical placement is filed.

SB123,45,18 (b) Notwithstanding ss. 767.085 (1) (j) and 767.087 (1) (c) 767.117 (1) (c) and 767.215 (2) (j), prohibiting the removal of minor children from the jurisdiction of the court.

SB123,45,20 (bm) Allowing a party to move with or remove a child after a notice of objection has been filed under s. 767.327 767.481 (2) (a).

SB123,45,25 (c) Subject to s. 767.477 767.85, requiring either party or both parties to make payments for the support of minor children, which payment amounts must be expressed as a fixed sum unless the parties have stipulated to expressing the amount as a percentage of the payer's income and the requirements under s. 767.10 767.34 (2) (am) 1. to 3. are satisfied.

SB123,46,4 (d) Requiring either party to pay for the maintenance of the other party. This maintenance Maintenance under this paragraph may include the expenses and attorney fees incurred by the other party in bringing or responding to the action affecting the family.

SB123,46,5 (e) Requiring either party to pay family support under s. 767.261 767.531.

SB123,46,7 (f) Requiring either party to execute an assignment of income under s. 767.265 767.75 or an authorization for transfer under s. 767.267 767.76.

SB123,46,10 (h) Notwithstanding ss. 767.085 (1) (i) and 767.087 (1) (b) 767.117 (1) (b) and 767.215 (2) (i), prohibiting either party from disposing of assets within the jurisdiction of the court.