Onalaska, Wisconsin Severance Agreements Attorney
Understanding What To Do After Receiving a Severance Agreements?
If your employer is ending your employment and has given you a severance agreement to review and sign, it is normal to feel uncertain or pressured—especially when a deadline is involved. Signing this type of severance agreement can affect your severance pay, unemployment benefits, and even your future employment opportunities. Signing the wrong document may create serious long-term consequences, including waiving valuable legal rights and Unpaid Overtime.
Leeds Law Firm has experienced severance agreement attorneys in Onalaska who review these agreements, explain every term, and guide you through your options. Before signing any severance contract, it is important to fully understand the conditions, restrictions, and obligations included.
Why Would My Employer Offer a Severance Agreements?
In most cases, the severance package presented to a departing employee is drafted or reviewed by the employer’s lawyer. These terms are designed to protect the employer—not the employee.
Common reasons employers offer a severance pay agreement include:
- To secure a release of claims (wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wage claims, etc.)
- To prevent future lawsuits
- To reinforce confidentiality, return-of-property, or non-disclosure obligations
- To impose or reaffirm non disparagement or non-compete clauses
- To ensure a smoother transition after layoffs or restructuring
- To acknowledge long-term service or performance
Whether the severance payment agreement is a lump sum or paid over time, understanding the legal and financial implications is essential. In some cases, employers stretch payments over months to maintain control or stop payments if they believe the employee violated the agreement.
Do I Need a Lawyer Before Signing a Severance Agreements in Onalaska, WI?
Yes, Reviewing and signing a severance offer without guidance can result in giving up important legal rights. A severance lawyer protects your interests and ensures you understand:
- What rights you are waiving
- Whether the compensation offered is fair
- Whether the agreement contains overly restrictive terms
- If a non disparagement provision, non-compete, or confidentiality clause is enforceable
- If you have leverage to seek more compensation
Leeds Law Firm works quickly—especially when your employer has imposed a deadline—and provides strategic advice to help you make an informed decision.
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated or deserve a better severance package, our severance negotiation lawyers can help.
Key Terms Found in Most Severance Agreements in Onalaska, WI
To protect yourself, it’s important to understand some of the most common parts of a severance package agreement:
- Compensation Details: How much you will receive and whether the payment is made as a lump sum or in installments.
- Benefits & Healthcare: Information about how long your benefits may continue after employment ends.
- Confidentiality Requirements: Clauses that restrict the disclosure of company information.
- Non-Compete or Non-Solicitation Clauses: Limits on where you can work or who you may contact after separation.
- Non-Disparagement Agreements: Restrictions on making negative statements about the company.
Schedule your Severance Agreement Consultation with Leeds Law Firm in Onalaska, WI!
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Call Us NowRelease of Claims
The most important provision — signing usually means giving up the right to sue.
Severance Negotiation – Can You Improve the Offer?
Many employees do not know that severance package negotiation is possible. With legal support, you may be able to increase compensation or remove harmful terms.
A lawyer to negotiate severance can help you seek:
- Higher severance pay
- Continued benefits for a longer period
- Removal of overly broad non-compete clauses
- Removal of restrictive non-disparage agreement language
- Neutral references for future employment
- Payment structures that reduce financial risk
We evaluate your situation and determine whether negotiation is in your best interest.
Employees Over 40 – Special Severance Protections
Federal law provides additional protections for employees 40 and older when signing a severance agreement over 40.
Your employer must provide:
- At least 21 days to review the agreement
- At least 7 days to revoke your signature after signing
- Additional disclosures during group layoffs
If these protections are not followed, the release may be invalid.
What To Do If You Are Given a Severance Package?
If you are presented with a severance package contract, here’s what you should do:
- Do not sign immediately — especially on the same day you were informed of termination.
- Request a copy of the agreement to review privately.
- Gather emails, performance reviews, and documents related to your employment.
- Contact a severance package lawyer for guidance.
- Do not let emotions or pressure determine your decision.
Your employer has legal representation — you should too.
Why Choose Leeds Law Firm for Severance Agreements Review in Onalaska, WI?
Leeds Law Firm provides:
- Fast, detailed review of severance agreements
- Clear explanations in plain, understandable language
- Strategic advice based on your legal rights
- Strong negotiation assistance when appropriate
- Protection against unfair or overly restrictive terms
We help you make decisions that protect your financial future and legal interests.
Schedule a Consultation with Leeds Law Firm Onalaska, WI Severance Agreements Lawyer!
Whether you received an employee separation agreement, severance contract, or employment separation agreement, Leeds Law Firm can help you determine if the offer is fair and whether better terms can be negotiated.
Your future matters. Before signing any agreement, speak with an experienced severance attorney to protect your rights.
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