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 Baraboo 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, appraisers, and financial neutrals we work with regularly, and in our familiarity with how Sauk County family court actually runs day to day. Our office is at 717 South Boulevard in Baraboo, an easy drive from anywhere in south-central Wisconsin. From there we serve clients across Sauk County and the surrounding region — Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells, Portage, Sauk City, Prairie du Sac, Spring Green, Mauston, North Freedom, Richland Center, and the smaller communities in between. We know that for many of our clients, "local" means a county or two over rather than across the street, and we built the office around being reachable for the whole region. 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, farms, 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. Will I have to drive to Baraboo for every meeting? We handle most communication by phone, email, and video, and reserve in-person meetings for the conversations that genuinely benefit from them. For clients coming from Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells, Portage, or further out, this matters — your case shouldn't require a half-day of driving every time something comes up. Will I have to go to court? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Uncontested cases often resolve with a brief final hearing. Cases that move through mediation or collaborative process can settle without contested court appearances. Contested cases will involve court, and your attorney will prepare you for what to expect at every step. What's the first step? 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 Baraboo team or book a consultation online.
