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Unfortunately, one spouse cannot appeal a decree (official decision made by a court of law) that was reached with the other spouse, specifically if both spouses do not agree to rescind it. If the judge has ruled already, one spouse would have to reopen the divorce case for potential negotiations.

In order to obtain a modification, you must show the court that since the original decree was issued or last order made, there has been a substantial change in circumstances. To justify a modification, the change in circumstances must be truly significant.

A change in circumstances compares the parties' current financial circumstances to what existed at the time the last support orders were set. For child support, after 33 months, there is a statutory presumption that there has been a substantial change.

The summons and petition (or joint petition) for divorce or legal separation and confidential petition addendum must be filed and a fee paid to the Clerk of Circuit Court. (Note: There is a mandatory 120-day waiting period before the court can hear the final hearing.)

After you file for divorce and papers are served, there's a mandatory 120-day waiting period before the final hearing. A standard Wisconsin divorce may take up to one year or more to finalize due to disagreements or scheduling issues.

Under Wisconsin law, a modification of spousal maintenance is allowed when there is a ?substantial change in circumstances.? As with the similar standard for a modification of child support, this means that one party cannot simply request a modification because they believe that they need more money.