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Daniel P. Bestul

Working alongside his clients, Dan helps them identify their goals and the resources available to reach those goals. Dan is particularly adept at managing complex financial issues and cases involving children. He ensures that clients understand the range of options so they can choose the one that best satisfies their needs and values. Dan’s objective is not just to win a battle but to help his clients build their futures.

Skilled in collaboration, mediation and traditional litigation, Dan is a strong advocate of the collaborative approach. He believes that clients benefit from being involved in every step of the process. They create agreements themselves rather than having settlements imposed on them, and move forward from divorce with a greater sense of control over their futures.

Dan recognizes there are no “one size for all” answers to family law challenges, and that includes the level of help people need. Some want a lawyer who will take care of everything, while others can do most of the work on their own, and just need a little support. Those people, then are provided limited scope (sometimes called “unbundling”) representation.

Some examples of the unbundled assistance Dan can provide include:

• Case evaluation – – A consultation to help you understand the legal process and the choices available to you, and help you choose the options that will work the best for you.

• Coaching – – consulting with you to help you identify your goals, to develop a plan to achieve them, and to develop the skills you need to get you there.

• Document review – – going over the documents you prepare to make sure they will do what you want them to do, and will be accepted by the court.

• Document preparation – – gathering information from you and drawing up the documents you need to get your case through the legal system.

• Limited court representation — going to court with you to help you tell your story. 

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin—Madison Law School, Dan joined Duxstad, Bestul & McNaughton in 1987. He is admitted to the bar in Wisconsin, the United States Supreme Court, and U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin. Dan is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin,  Green County Bar Association, the Lafayette County Bar Association; he is also a member of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin and the International Association of Collaborative Professionals and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. A frequent presenter at legal seminars, Dan has trained in collaborative law and mediation. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and was named to the list of Wisconsin Superlawyers.

Philosophy

Dan understands that “winning” a family law case takes much more than getting a judge to agree with you. A client’s best interests include the well being of children, family peace, and economic stability. Combative, abrasive, “hard-ball” tactics might make a party feel better in the short term, but is seldom an effective way to maximize the client’s interests in the long run. The parties to family law cases often continue to interact for years after the final judgment, and the damage caused by a “no-holds-barred” approach can seldom be repaired. Dan believes effective family advocacy requires tenacity, patience, creativity and a commitment to long-term results.

Practice Areas

Family Law

Custody and Placement

Property Division

Support and Maintenance

Paternity

Mediation

Collaborative Family Law

Full-scope and Limited-scope Representation

Resume

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:

Four years service in United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps

Joined D, B & M as an associate in 1987

Frequent presenter at legal seminars

BAR ADMISSIONS:

Wisconsin — 1983

United States Supreme Court — 1995

U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin

DISTRICTS OF WISCONSIN EDUCATION:

Ripon College — B.A., with majors in Politics and government and Spanish, 1980

 University of Wisconsin – Madison Law School – Juris Doctor, 1983

SUPREME COURT & COURT OF APPEALS CASES:

In re the  Custody of A.J.S.; 2018 WI App 30 (published decision)

In re the marriage of Reynolds; 2017 WI App 41

In re Ella M.S.; 2014 WI App 50 and 2014 WI app 97

In re the marriage of Winters; 2013 WI App 30 

Wolfe-Ginter v. Ginter: 2010 WI App 120

Kracht v. Kracht: 2009 WI App 110, 320 Wis.2d 704, 771 N.W.2d 929

Delaney v. Delaney: 2008 WI 122, 314 Wis.2d 72, 758 N.W.2d 92

Mayer v. Schulz: 2007 WI App 251, 306 Wis.2d 447, 742 N.W.2d 75

Tammie J.C. v. Robert T.R.: In re the Termination of Parental Rights to Thomas J.R

Court of Appeals: 2002 WI APP 56, 251 Wis.2d 483, 640 N,W,2d 566 (2002)

SUPREME COURT & COURT OF APPEALS CASES CONTINUED:

Supreme Court: 2003 WI 61, 262 Wis.2d 217, 663 N.W.2d 774 (2003)

Redfearn v. Redfearn: 2002 WI App 34, 250 Wis.2d 354, 639 N.W.2d 802 (2002)

State v. Hughes: 2001 WI App 31,241 Wis.2d 49, 622 N.W.2d 769 (2001)

State v. Hereford: 195 Wis.2d 1054, 537 N.W.2d 62 (1995)

State v. Guck:

Court of Appeals: 170 Wis.2d 661, 490 N.W.2d 34 (1992)

Supreme Court: 176 Wis.2d 845, 500 N.W.2d 910 (1993)

State v. Schultz:

Court of Appeals: 148 Wis.2d 370, 435 N.W.2d 305 (1988)

Supreme Court: 152 Wis.2d 408, 448 N.W.2d 424 (1989)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

State Bar of Wisconsin (member of Family law and General Practice sections
Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin (Board of Directors, 2007-2010)
International Association of Collaborative Professionals
Green County Bar Association (President, 1989)
Lafayette County Bar Association
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Wisconsin Association of Mediators

COLLABORATIVE TRAINING:

Building Blocks of Collaborative Practice (2001, 2007)
Taking the War Out of Our Words Powerful Non-Defensive Communication (2009)
Strategic Negotiation and Artful Communication (2010)

MEDITATION TRAINING:

Divorce and Custody Mediation Skills Training (April 2007)
Advanced Mediation Skills: Framing Issues for Maximum Mediator Effectiveness in Domestic Relations Mediation (February 2008)
Family Mediation Center (October 2020)

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Green County
Member, Board of Directors, 1988-1994
Board President, 1993
Boy Scouts of America
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 180, Monroe
District Chairman, Arrowhead District,
Blackhawk Area Council
Former Vice President for District Operations,
Blackhawk Area Council
Monroe Excellence in Education Foundation
Board Member 2005-present
Board President 2007

PUBLIC SERVICE:

Monroe School board, 1994-2003
Board Treasurer, 1996-1999
Board President, 1999-2003
Monroe Police and Fire Commission: 2012 – 2016

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Locations

Monroe Office
1112 17th Avenue
Monroe, WI 53566
(608) 325-4924

Darlington Office
434 Main Street
Darlington, WI 53530
Tel: (608) 776-4442

Fax: (877) 866-7560