Sterling Lawyers exists because family law shouldn't get more expensive the longer it takes. When we started the firm, the hourly-billing model in this industry was built for the firm, not the family — every phone call, every email, every minute on a meter, with the bill arriving on the back end. You know the cost when you walk in the door, and that number doesn't move because a case takes a few extra weeks. Our Appleton office handles family law exclusively. That means divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, legal separation, marital property division, business valuations in divorce, retirement and pension division, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and post-decree modifications. We don't do criminal defense, personal injury, estate planning, or real estate. Family law is the only thing we practice, and that focus pays off — in the depth of our attorneys' experience, in the network of guardians ad litem, custody evaluators, business appraisers, and financial neutrals we work with regularly, and in our familiarity with how Outagamie County family court actually runs day to day. Our office is at 3701 E Evergreen Drive in north Appleton, just off Highway 41. From there we serve clients across Outagamie County and the broader Fox Cities region — Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Combined Locks, Greenville, Hortonville, Freedom, Black Creek, Seymour, Neenah, Menasha, and the surrounding communities. The location was chosen specifically for accessibility: with Highway 41 running the length of the Fox Cities, the office is a straightforward drive whether you're coming from north, south, or across the river. You'll work with a team, not a solo attorney. Each case is staffed with an attorney plus a paralegal and intake support, and many of our attorneys are also trained mediators or certified collaborative law practitioners. When a case calls for it, we use those skills directly to reduce conflict and avoid unnecessary court appearances. When a case calls for litigation, we're prepared to litigate. Three separation paths let us match the approach to the situation:
Uncontested divorce — for couples who agree on the major terms and want a clean, efficient resolution. Contested divorce — for cases where serious disagreement exists and a stronger advocacy approach is required. Three Stage Divorce — our structured middle path. Settle what you can, identify what you can't, and use court resources only where they're actually needed. A few questions we get often:
How long does a Wisconsin divorce take? Wisconsin has a 120-day minimum waiting period from the date of filing. Uncontested cases tend to resolve close to that minimum. Contested cases typically run 8–14 months depending on complexity, court calendars, and whether children, businesses, or significant assets are involved. We'll give you a realistic timeline at consultation based on your specific situation. What does the fixed fee cover? Everything inside the case — research, phone calls, emails, court appearances, mediation sessions, document drafting, and travel. The number you see at the start is the number you pay. The only costs outside the fixed fee are third-party items like filing fees, expert witnesses, or evaluators, and we'll flag those up front so nothing arrives as a surprise. I live in Neenah, Menasha, or south of Appleton — should I use this office or your Oshkosh location? Both offices handle Wisconsin family law and apply the same fixed-fee model. We'll match you with whichever office and attorney best fits your case during the consultation, and the decision usually comes down to drive time and attorney availability rather than anything substantive about the case itself. What about complex assets — business interests, manufacturing companies, professional practices? We see these regularly in Fox Cities cases. Business valuations, deferred compensation, stock options, retirement account division, and tracing of premarital assets are part of the work, and we coordinate with appraisers, forensic accountants, and other neutrals when a case requires it. The fixed fee doesn't change because a case has complexity — we quote based on what the case actually requires. Where does my Outagamie County case actually get heard? Outagamie County family court matters are heard at the Outagamie County Justice Center in downtown Appleton. Your attorney will prepare you for what to expect there, and many appearances can be handled remotely depending on the type of hearing and current court practice. What's the first step? A consultation. We'll listen to your situation, explain the options that fit, answer your questions, and give you a clear upfront quote for your case. There's no pressure to retain that day. Before you decide whether a consultation is the right next step, the free tools on our website may help: alimony and child support calculators, parenting plan templates, Wisconsin divorce forms, and weekly webinars led by our attorneys covering the divorce process, custody fundamentals, and what to expect in court. When you're ready, call our Appleton team or book a consultation online.
