Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills Attorney in Neenah, WI
Need protection right now, need to become a guardian for someone who can't care for themselves, or need to finally get your will in place? Get honest answers at a free consultation, and one attorney who stays on your case from your first call to your final order.
- Protection when you need it fastest. A temporary restraining order can be issued the same day, with a full hearing guaranteed within 14 days — we move at the speed the law allows.
- Straight talk about cost. At your free consultation, we'll walk through what cases like yours typically cost, and tell you honestly whether your matter fits a flat fee or is the kind of case that needs phase billing as it develops.
- One attorney for all three, and the overlap between them. If a restraining order, a guardianship, or an out-of-date will is tangled up with a divorce, custody case, or criminal charge, one firm handles all of it.
- 4.4 ★ · 41 Google reviews
- 20+ years in local courts
- WI Bar #1048934
- Winnebago County owned & operated
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
Why Neenah Chooses Johnson Law Firm S.C.
Every new client starts with a free, confidential consultation and an honest conversation about what their case is likely to cost. A real person answers the phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — no AI intake bots, no runaround.
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
What Are Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills?
Restraining orders, guardianships, and wills are three separate legal tools that protect people and property, but they're grouped together here because they so often come up in the same season of life. A guardianship is a court appointment that gives someone legal authority to make decisions for a minor or an incapacitated adult who can't make those decisions safely on their own. A will is the legal document that says who receives your property and who should raise your minor children if something happens to you. "Restraining order" is the term people use most loosely of the three, and getting it right matters — it can mean a standalone civil injunction, or it can mean a no-contact order that's actually part of a criminal case, and those two are handled in completely different ways.
At Johnson Law Firm S.C., Attorney Steven Johnson (WI Bar #1048934) has handled restraining order, guardianship, and wills matters in Winnebago and Outagamie County courts for more than 20 years. You won't be handed off to an associate. Call 920-730-8250 to talk through your situation, free of charge.
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
"Restraining Order" Means Different Things — Here's the Difference That Actually Matters
People often ask if we can get a restraining order between them and an ex, or if we can get an existing one dropped. The honest answer depends entirely on what kind of order it actually is, because the two most common versions are handled by entirely different areas of law.
| Civil Injunction | Criminal No-Contact Order / Bond Condition | |
|---|---|---|
| Area of law | Civil Law | Criminal Law |
| Is it its own case? | Yes — a standalone civil matter you petition for directly | No — it's a condition inside an existing or closed criminal case |
| Who can file or challenge it | Either party, through the civil injunction process | Not independently — it follows the criminal case itself |
| Can it be modified or dropped? | Potentially, through the civil process | Rarely, and only through the criminal case, not as its own request |
This is exactly the situation behind one of the most common calls we get: two people involved in the same case — sometimes as co-defendants, sometimes one as the accused and one as the alleged victim — want to know if the order between them can be lifted. If it's a genuine civil injunction, that's a real, answerable question. If it's a no-contact order or bond condition tied to a criminal case, the honest answer is that courts are rarely willing to change it, and it isn't something either party can simply request on its own outside of that criminal case.
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
Our Process
Civil injunctions, guardianships, and wills each move through their own track. Here's what each one generally looks like.
Civil Injunctions (Restraining Orders)
- Free Consultation & Honest Cost Conversation. We review your situation and talk through what similar cases have cost.
- Petition Filed. We file the petition and supporting affidavit with the court, choosing the correct order type for your situation.
- Temporary Order, if warranted. A judge can issue a temporary restraining order the same day, often without the other party present, if there are reasonable grounds.
- Service. The other party is formally served with the temporary order and notice of the hearing.
Injunction Hearing Within 14 Days. Both sides present their case, and the judge decides whether to grant a final injunction. - Final Injunction. If granted, the order can last up to four years for domestic abuse, harassment, and individual-at-risk cases, or up to two years for child abuse cases, and can be renewed.
Guardianships
- Free Consultation & Honest Cost Conversation. We review the situation and talk through likely costs up front.
Petition Filed. We file a - petition for guardianship of a minor or an incapacitated adult with the circuit court.
Guardian ad Litem Appointed. The court typically appoints a - Guardian ad Litem to investigate and report back before the hearing.
- Hearing Within 90 Days. Wisconsin law generally requires the hearing to be held within 90 days of filing.
- Order Issued. The court either grants the guardianship, denies it, or orders a lesser alternative.
- Ongoing Duties & Annual Reporting. Guardians must report to the court periodically on the ward's care and finances.
Wills
- Free Consultation & Honest Cost Conversation. We talk through your family, your property, and your wishes, then discuss cost honestly.
- Drafting. We draft your will, naming your executor and, if you have minor children, your nominated guardian.
- Review. You review the draft and we make any changes before anything is finalized.
- Signing & Witnessing. Wisconsin requires your will to be signed in front of two witnesses to be valid.
- Safe Storage. We advise you on where to keep your original will so it can be found and honored when it's needed.
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
How Much Do Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills Cost in Wisconsin?
There's no filing fee to petition for a domestic abuse or individual-at-risk civil injunction in Wisconsin, so protection isn't blocked by cost. Guardianship and wills work differently: costs vary with the complexity of the case, and while some straightforward wills can be handled on a flat-fee basis, contested guardianships and more complex estate matters typically require phase billing, since it's genuinely difficult to predict how much a contested case will demand until it's underway. Call 920-730-8250 to get your specific quote.
What we can promise: an honest conversation about cost at your free consultation, plain talk about whether your matter is a flat-fee case or one that needs phase billing, and a heads-up before any additional work is added if your case's circumstances change.
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
The Four Types of Restraining Orders in Wisconsin
Wisconsin doesn't have just one kind of restraining order — it has four, and picking the right one from the start matters.
| Order Type | Who It Protects | Max. Length |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Abuse (§ 813.12) | Family/household members, ex-partners, co-parents | Up to 4 years |
| Harassment (§ 813.125) | Anyone being stalked or harassed, regardless of relationship | Up to 4 years |
| Child Abuse (§ 813.122) | A child, filed by a parent, guardian, or the child | Up to 2 years |
| Individual at Risk (§ 813.123) | Elderly or disabled adults facing abuse or exploitation | Up to 4 years |
Not sure which one fits your situation? That's exactly what the free consultation is for. Call 920-730-8250 and we'll help you identify the right order and file it correctly the first time.
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
What's Included: Every Piece of Your Case, Handled by One Attorney
Restraining orders, guardianships, and wills rarely stay in one lane. Here's what falls under this practice, and how each piece fits together.
Civil Injunctions: Domestic Abuse, Harassment, Child Abuse & Individual at Risk
Each of the four civil injunction types is its own standalone case with its own eligibility rules, and choosing the right one from the start makes a real difference in how your case proceeds.
Injunction Violations & Enforcement
Violating a civil injunction is a separate criminal misdemeanor in Wisconsin, and if the other party isn't complying with an order already in place, that's addressed by asking the court to enforce it, not by filing an entirely new case.
Criminal No-Contact Orders & Bond Conditions
If what you're actually facing is a no-contact order or bond condition inside a criminal case, that's not a standalone civil matter — it's addressed through the criminal case itself, which is covered on our Criminal Defense and Drug Charge & Domestic Violence Defense pages.
Guardianship of a Minor
When a child's parents can't or won't provide care, a court-appointed guardian steps in to make decisions about the child's health, education, and daily welfare. If the child has an open CPS case, family court will generally defer to that process instead, since Child Welfare Law can override a private guardianship arrangement.
Guardianship of an Incapacitated Adult
When an adult can no longer safely manage their own health or finances due to illness, injury, or disability, a guardianship gives a trusted person the legal authority to step in. This comes up often when a child with a disability turns 18 — parental authority doesn't automatically continue, and without a formal guardianship, the state, through Adult Protective Services, may step in instead.
Wills & Last Testaments
A will names who receives your property, who administers your estate, and who you want raising your minor children if you're not able to.
Updating Your Will After Divorce or a Custody Change
A divorce or a new custody arrangement changes who should inherit your property and who should raise your children on paper, and most people forget to update their will until it's too late.
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
Why Neenah Chooses Johnson Law Firm S.C.
One attorney, every step
Steven Johnson (WI Bar #1048934) personally handles your case from the first phone call to the final order — never a hand-off to a rotating associate.
Honest cost conversations, not empty promises
We'll tell you what similar cases have cost, whether flat-fee or phase billing fits your situation, and give you a heads-up if your case's scope changes along the way — no firm can promise a locked-in price, and we won't pretend otherwise.
We move at the speed the law allows.
Same-day temporary restraining orders when warranted, and a written fee quote before you commit to anything else.
Restraining orders, guardianships, wills, and everything that overlaps with them.
If a divorce, custody dispute, or criminal charge is tangled up with your situation, one firm handles all of it.
A real person answers the phone.
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no AI intake bot standing between you and an answer.
Testimonials
What Fox Valley Clients Say
Reviews below are verbatim from Google. Reviewer neighborhoods are not published by Google — each card is labeled "Google Verified Review". Service labels are drawn from review content.
"Attorney Johnson gave very good advice on what steps to take for my case his paralegal Liz was amazing. She was very informative and kept me up-to-date on everything. She is amazing. I really appreciate everything that she did for me and helping assist with my case along with attorney Johnson as well. I gave five stars because I feel like Attorney Johnson was amazing but I also feel like his paralegal did a great job and what she does."
Leia G.
Google Verified Review · Criminal Defense
"Liz and Steve did a wonderful job on my case they got my case dismissed they both kept in great contact with me explained everything well I would recommend them highly Thank guys great job!!!"
Diana M.
Google Verified Review · Criminal Defense (case dismissed)
"Thank you very much on your help with my case. Mrs. Aherm was very helpful and kept me informed on all the details on my case. This is the team to go with 100% !!!"
Jesse O.
Google Verified Review
"Big thanks to Steve and Liz. Both are very helpful, listen, very skilled at there jobs and I'm eternally grateful! Thank you both!"
UP P.
Google Verified Review
Service Area
Serving Neenah, the Fox Cities & All of Winnebago and Outagamie Counties
Outagamie
- Appleton
- Grand Chute
- Kaukauna
- Little Chute
- Seymour
- Combined Locks
Calumet
- Chilton
- New Holstein
- Brillion
Winnebago
- Oshkosh
- Neenah
- Menasha
Brown
- Green Bay
- De Pere
- Howard
Waupaca
- New London
- Waupaca
- Clintonville
Shawano
- Shawano
- Bonduel
- Wittenberg
Fond du Lac
- Fond du Lac
- Ripon
- Waupun
Oconto
- Oconto
- Oconto Falls
- Lena
Kewaunee
- Kewaunee
- Luxemburg
- Algoma
Waushara
- Wautoma
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Manitowoc
- Manitowoc
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- Kiel
Green Lake
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Door
- Stergeon Bay
- Sister Bay
- Ephraim
Sheboygan
- Sheboygan
- Plymouth
- Sheboygan Falls
Dodge
- Beaver Dam
- Watertown
- Mayville
Restraining Orders, Guardianships & Wills
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four types of civil restraining order injunctions in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin recognizes four types of civil injunctions: domestic abuse, child abuse, individual at risk, and harassment. Each is its own standalone civil case.
Can you get a no-contact order between family members dropped?
It depends on what kind of order it is. A civil injunction is its own case and can potentially be modified through that process. A no-contact order or bond condition tied to a criminal case is not a standalone matter, and courts are generally reluctant to change it. Call 920-730-8250 and we'll help you figure out which one applies to your situation.
How long does it take to get a restraining order in Wisconsin?
A temporary order can be issued the same day if a judge finds reasonable grounds, with a full injunction hearing guaranteed within 14 days.
How much does it cost to write a will in Wisconsin?
A straightforward will commonly costs $300 to $1,000 with a Wisconsin attorney, though costs vary by firm and case complexity. We'll give you an honest estimate at your free consultation and explain plainly whether flat-fee or phase billing fits your case. Call 920-730-8250 to get started.
What happens if a minor guardianship case involves an open CPS investigation?
Family court will generally decline to proceed with a private guardianship petition while a child has an open CPS case, since CPS involvement can effectively override a family court guardianship ruling.
Do parents need to formally obtain guardianship of a disabled child who turns 18?
Yes, in most cases. Once a child with a disability turns 18, a parent's legal authority to make decisions for them generally ends unless the parent formally obtains adult guardianship. Without it, the state may step in instead. Call 920-730-8250 well before your child's 18th birthday to plan ahead.
What happens if you die without a will in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin's intestacy laws decide who inherits your property, and the court, not you, decides who is appointed guardian of your minor children.
Contact
Ready to Talk?
Civil injunctions move on a real 14-day clock, and guardianships on a real 90-day one. Talk to Attorney Steven Johnson today, free of charge.
Phone
920-730-8250
Address
2649 Cavalry Ln
Neenah, WI 54956
Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Our Legal Services
Full-Service Representation for Neenah & the Fox Valley
Criminal Defense in Neenah & the Fox Valley
Johnson Law Firm S.C. defends felony and misdemeanor charges throughout Winnebago and Outagamie counties — theft, retail theft, forgery, battery, disorderly conduct, drug charges, and traffic offenses. Wisconsin felony penalties run from 3.5 years to life under Wis. Stat. § 939.50, and even a Class A misdemeanor carries up to 9 months in jail, so early representation matters. Attorney Steven Johnson brings 20+ years of courtroom experience at the Winnebago County Courthouse and beyond, challenging stops, searches, and evidence while keeping you informed at every step. Free consultations with a written fee quote.
OWI / Drunk Driving Defense
A Wisconsin OWI conviction follows you forever — it can never be expunged. First offenses bring a 6–9 month revocation, $585+ in forfeitures and surcharges, a mandatory AODA assessment, and an ignition interlock at 0.15 BAC or higher; second offenses become criminal. We examine the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and breath or blood testing for every client from Neenah, Appleton, Oshkosh, and the Lake Winnebago communities. Deadlines start immediately after arrest, so call 920-730-8250 before your court date.
Family Law & Divorce
Divorce, legal separation, child custody and physical placement, child support, CHIPS defense, restraining order petitions and defense, and guardianships for children and adults — handled by one attorney across Winnebago, Outagamie, and Calumet counties. We explain Wisconsin's 120-day waiting period, marital property presumptions, and the best-interest placement factors of Wis. Stat. § 767.41 in plain English, then put your strategy and fees in writing. From Doty Island to downtown Appleton, Fox Valley families get straight answers here — starting with a free consultation.
Wills & Estate Basics
A valid will keeps your property, your children's guardianship, and your final wishes out of dispute — and out of avoidable Winnebago County probate battles. Attorney Johnson drafts wills for Fox Valley families and pairs them with the guardianship experience the firm uses in family court every week. If you don't have a will, Wisconsin's intestacy statutes decide for you; an afternoon in our Neenah office fixes that. Ask about wills during any consultation.