Attorney Ruth Westmont has over 40 years of helping clients in divorce, family law, estate planning, guardianships, and real estate matters. Ruth was the principal of Westmont Law Offices, S.C. in Madison, Wisconsin, where she provided a wide range of legal services to clients throughout Dane County and Wisconsin. In June 2026, Ruth merged her practice with Murphy Desmond S.C.

Ruth’s family law practice includes divorce, legal separation, complex property division, child support, maintenance/alimony, grandparent rights, post-judgment matters, and marital property agreements. Ruth is well-versed in family laws in Wisconsin, allowing her to be an efficient and effective advocate for her clients in the court system and through mediation. She advocates strongly for minors in family law cases, serving frequently as a Guardian ad Litem and handling legal guardianships of minor children.

Ruth also works with clients in estate planning matters, including post-divorce estate plans and plans for married couples with children from prior relationships. She handles preparation of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and has served as a personal representative and trustee in numerous cases. Ruth has considerable experience with probate matters and probate litigation to ensure her clients are fairly represented in family/heir disputes.

In addition, Ruth helps families with the complexities of adult guardianships, whether planned in advance of a disabled minor becoming an adult or due to an adult’s physical and/or mental incapacity resulting from an accident or medical condition. Ruth has a master’s degree in social work, giving her relevant knowledge and experience dealing with guardianships and people with disabilities, as well as rights of individuals utilizing state and federal programs. Her background also includes employment with Wisconsin Housing Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), where she was in charge of outside counsel, litigation, and reviewing contracts to help families obtain access to affordable housing.

Real estate matters are common following divorce, death, and other family matters. Ruth assists her clients in buying and selling real estate, property valuations, partition actions, co-ownership agreements, and transfer-on-death deeds. She assists in non-family related real estate challenges as well, such as disputes with neighbors.

Ruth describes herself as a general practitioner in that she handles a wide range of legal issues that impact families and individuals. She treats each matter with detail and dedication that allow her clients to receive fair results. Her background in social work has given Ruth a unique level of compassion and understanding as a legal advocate. In addition, Ruth is involved in the community, including her role as the longest sitting board member of the Dane County Bar Association and as a volunteer with the Dane County Case Mediation Program.

Ruth is available to meet with clients in the firm’s Madison office or remotely.