Articles
Update on Bill That Seeks to Curb Harassment of Sports Officials
Sports, even at the high school level, can raise emotions in players and spectators alike. Sports officials are not strangers to displeasure with calls they make on the field or court. However, there comes a point when expressing displeasure can cross the line. For...
What Exactly is Involved in the Litigation Process?
Over the course of my career, many people have asked me what area of law I practice in, and I usually respond by stating “civil litigation.” Then I am typically asked, “What do you mean by civil litigation?” The civil in “civil litigation” refers to the form of law,...
Yours, Mine and Ours – How Property is Divided at Divorce
In Wisconsin, property is presumed to be equally divided between the parties in a divorce action. Almost all property owned by the parties is subject to equal division. This includes property that is titled solely in one spouse’s name and property acquired by a spouse...
Maximizing Bequests with Charitable Contributions
Many Americans wish to leave a donation to their favorite charity, community foundation or nonprofit organization when they pass away. You may be one of them. Often people decide to donate by gifting a specific dollar amount or percentage from the residue of their...
Which Insurance Companies Do I Have to Talk to After an Auto Accident?
Following an auto accident, victims are often bombarded with calls from claims personnel connected with various insurance companies asking how the accident happened and what injuries were sustained. Usually, there are three different insurance companies trying to get...
What Is Probate?
Probate is an often misunderstood but frequently heard term in relation to the death of a loved one. Perhaps in completing your estate planning you have been advised to “avoid probate.” But what is probate and why is to be avoided? Probate is the name of the legal...
Disclosing Defects with the Real Estate Condition Report (RECR)
Wisconsin law has left the dark ages of caveat emptor or also known as “let the buyer beware” in the sale of residential property. The harshness of caveat emptor has been replaced by the Real Estate Condition Report or “RECR.” Basically, the RECR requires sellers to...
Contingency Clauses in Real Estate Contracts
If you have ever bought or sold real estate, you may be familiar with the contingency clauses contained in these agreements. These clauses offer the option to back out of a sale if certain events occur. The meaning and consequences of these contingencies can be...
Understanding Your Auto and Home Insurance Policies Through Declarations Pages
I have frequently talked about the importance of having adequate insurance coverage, particularly automobile and homeowner’s insurance. In the past, I have presented this topic at our firm sponsored seminars, written on the subject in my article Insurance Plays...
“Homophobic Taunts Not on the Menu:” According to the EEOC
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in the workplace because of sex. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees. By contrast, the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual...
How Can I Help My Children Through the Stress of Parent Separation, Divorce and School?
It’s that time of year again, back to school! For many families, the new school year is full of excitement and anticipation of new opportunities. For others, it brings sadness and anxiety as relaxed summer schedules are replaced with earlier bedtimes, routine,...
Using a Special Needs Trust to Ensure Your Settlement Does Not Affect Public Benefits
In Wisconsin, Medicaid (sometimes also called Medical Assistance) covers 1 in 9 adults and 1 in 3 children; in fact, 16% of the Wisconsin population gets its health care coverage through Medicaid. Unlike the similar sounding Medicare, Medicaid is a means...
What Do I Do Now That I Have Been in a Motor Vehicle Accident?
When you head out on the road, a motor vehicle accident is the last thing you want to happen. However, if you fall victim to a motor vehicle accident on account of another driver’s negligence, you do not want to do anything to jeopardize receiving full...
How to Address Family Conflicts Concerning Caregiving for Aging Parents
Having adult children provide care and support to an aging or ill parent can be very helpful, but in some cases, can be a cause of stress and family conflict. Caregiving can bring families closer as they provide mutual support, but in some situations, the stress and...
Best Practices for Using Volunteers in Your Wisconsin Non-Profit.
The great majority of work performed by non-profits comes from unpaid volunteers. While volunteers can be vital to helping a non-profit reach its goals, their presence raises certain risks that leaders of non-profit organizations should be aware of to...
Flood Damage – Is Your Home or Business Covered?
Flooding is the nation’s most common natural disaster, which causes billions of dollars in damage each year. Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damages to your home. Flooding can result from natural disasters such as hurricanes, excessive rain, or events such...
In Spite of the Law
The law, to borrow a quote from Winston Churchill, “is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key.” That “key” is often found in the Wisconsin Statutes which is affectionally referred to as the book of surprises. Hence,...
The Fragrance of Reasonable Accommodations and Settlements, EEOC Style
All Wisconsin employers likely are aware of the requirement to dialogue with a disabled employee about whether a reasonable accommodation would assist the employee to effectively perform the essential functions of the job. While the requirement is...