Deciding to separate from your spouse is never easy. Once that decision is made, it’s important to think carefully about how you’ll handle the separation and divorce process, not just legally and financially, but also it terms of privacy and divorce. At Muter Law Office, LLC, we believe that taking steps to protect your privacy during divorce should be part of every divorce plan, especially when large assets and sensitive family matters are involved.

Many people don’t realize how exposed their personal information can become during divorce. Without the right precautions, private details can end up in court records or land in the hands of someone who might use them unfairly. This can include financial records, digital communications, and even sensitive details about your children. Protecting your privacy during a divorce from the beginning can protect you from unnecessary stress and potential problems down the road.

Wisconsin Divorce Records and Public Access

It often surprises people to learn that in Wisconsin, divorce records are considered public information.
This means details about how property was divided or decisions about child custody could be viewed by others. While some details (like Social Security numbers, bank account information, adoption records, and minor children’s personal details) are automatically kept private, much of the rest remains accessible.

The good news is that a knowledgeable divorce attorney can help you protect your privacy during divorce by requesting that certain documents be sealed. At Muter Law Office, we work with our clients to protect sensitive information like business records, financial statements, and other private details. If there’s a risk of harm or privacy invasion, we can file a motion asking the court to keep these records out of public view.

Plan Ahead to Protect Your Privacy During Divorce

Because divorce can be emotional and complicated, it’s a good idea to set up a privacy plan as soon as possible. High-conflict divorces and high-asset divorces are especially vulnerable to privacy risks.
When significant property or public attention is involved, people sometimes go to great lengths to gather private information they can use to their advantage.

Muter Law Office encourages clients to think ahead about privacy concerns before the divorce process begins. This might include reviewing shared accounts, protecting important documents, and deciding how best to communicate during this sensitive time. When children are involved, safeguarding their privacy is especially important, and we make sure those concerns are prioritized throughout the case.

Using Trusts and Confidentiality Agreements

When large assets or inherited property are part of a divorce, one way to protect them is through legal tools like trusts. While it’s never advisable to hide property in a divorce, certain trusts can help legally separate personal or inherited assets from marital property. This makes it harder for private details about those assets to become public during proceedings.

Confidentiality agreements are another useful option. In high net worth divorces, many professionals get involved, including financial advisors, attorneys, appraisers, and family counselors. Having each of them sign confidentiality agreements can give you peace of mind knowing your private matters stay private. At Muter Law Office, we help draft these agreements to address your specific concerns and protect your privacy during divorce.

Choosing Private Divorce Options

One of the best ways to protect your privacy during a Wisconsin divorce is to avoid public courtrooms altogether when possible. Alternatives like mediation or collaborative divorce can offer a more private way to settle disputes. These approaches emphasize confidentiality and allow couples to work out financial and custody issues behind closed doors. Muter Law Office often recommends these options when they fit a client’s needs because they can help protect privacy, reduce conflict, and save valuable time.

Keeping Your Digital Information Safe

In today’s world, digital privacy is just as important as financial or personal privacy. During a divorce, your emails, texts, and social media posts can easily be taken out of context or used against you.
At Muter Law Office, we frequently advise clients to take a close look at their digital habits before and during divorce proceedings.

It’s smart to avoid posting personal information online and to review past posts that could be misinterpreted. Changing passwords on financial accounts, email, and cloud storage services is also a good idea. For extra security, some people create a separate email address for all divorce-related communication, reducing the risk of sensitive messages being overlooked or falling into the wrong hands.

It’s equally important to review who has access to your devices. Shared tablets, computers, or smart speakers can store information you didn’t realize was accessible. Make sure to log out of shared devices and consider using two-factor authentication on your accounts for added protection.

Watching for Scams and Privacy Risks

Unfortunately, times of transition can make people more vulnerable to scams and privacy breaches, and divorce is no exception. Muter Law Office encourages clients to be cautious about emails, text messages, or calls from unfamiliar sources, especially those requesting personal or financial information. Even well-meaning acquaintances can unintentionally spread private information, so it’s important to strictly limit what details you share.

Some people also forget how much personal information lives in home paperwork. It’s wise to gather and secure documents like tax returns, insurance policies, property deeds, and retirement statements. Keeping these records in a locked cabinet or a private digital folder ensures they don’t fall into the wrong hands during a divorce.

Protecting Privacy Before a Divorce Happens

Privacy protection shouldn’t start only when divorce papers are filed. It’s wise to think ahead if there’s any concern that a marriage might not last. Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements can include clear confidentiality terms that limit what personal or financial information can be shared if a marriage ends. Muter Law Office regularly helps clients review these agreements to ensure they align with your privacy needs.

Be Careful About Location Tracking and Shared Apps

Another area people often overlook is location tracking on shared apps and devices. Many couples use location-sharing services for convenience, but during a divorce, it might not be wise for a spouse to have access to your whereabouts. Review the settings on your phone and shared apps to decide what you’re comfortable keeping connected.

If you have shared streaming services, smart home apps, or cloud storage accounts, it’s a good time to update permissions. Removing devices or resetting passwords on shared technology can prevent unwanted access to private conversations or information.

Work with a Wisconsin Divorce Attorney Who Understands Your Privacy Concerns

Divorce is stressful enough without having to worry about your private matters becoming public.
At Muter Law Office, attorney Misty Muter understands the unique privacy challenges that can arise, especially in high-asset or high-conflict situations. Our caring and knowledgeable team works closely with clients to develop personalized privacy plans, secure sensitive information, and keep private matters away from public records whenever possible.

If you’re considering divorce or have questions about how to protect your personal and financial privacy in Wisconsin, contact Muter Law Office today for a confidential consultation. We can help you move forward with confidence, knowing your information is secure.