Articles
Can I Disclaim an Interest in an Estate?
When someone dies and leaves you property in their will, by beneficiary designation, or through the intestate beneficiary laws of their state, it is possible, and sometimes wise, to reject the would-be inheritance by “disclaiming” your legal interest to it. However,...
Go Buy An Umbrella
The above title is not encouraging you to buy something to protect you from the rain! It refers to purchasing an umbrella insurance policy to protect you and your family from liability claims, and to provide you with ample coverage for your losses due to injuries...
Returning to Work After a Work Comp Injury
Absent the lucky few, most Wisconsin workers are considered “at-will” employees. This means absent exceptions for unlawful discrimination (e.g. race, gender, age, religion, etc.), a worker can be fired for any reason, or no reason at all. However, worker’s...
Legal Considerations for Running a Business from Home
The past decade has seen a steady increase of businesses being run from individual’s homes and the changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have only increased this trend. Whether a “side-hustle” or primary source of income, business owners should carefully...
Non-Compete Agreements Are Ripe for Review
As many employers and employees know, non-compete agreements are fast becoming a centerpiece of many employer-employee relationships. A non-compete may not only protect a company’s confidential information from disclosure, but also restrict an employee who leaves to...
Will You Be My Guarantor?
One of the questions you may be asked in your lifetime is to be a guarantor. This request may come from a family member or even a friend that needs someone to be a guarantor for a lease, loan, etc. Your first thought may be to agree right away to help that individual...
The “Right to Be Heard” in Wisconsin Criminal Proceedings and the Impact on Your Car Crash Case
Those who have the terrible misfortune of being injured in a car wreck involving a drunk driver or a hit and run driver, often find themselves having to navigate the criminal justice system as well as the civil justice system. Since the former almost always takes...
The Book of Surprises
There is an elephantine book with 995 chapters that most Wisconsinites know exists, but no one has ever read cover-to-cover. The topics in this book are eclectic and cover a staggering range of subjects from “wild animals and plants” to “communicable diseases” to...
What is Mediation and How Does it Work?
Mediation is a private process for resolving disputes by which an independent mediator assists the parties in reaching a mutually satisfactory settlement. While the courts can require that some cases go to mediation, the process remains voluntary in that the parties...
#FreeBritney. How is Conservatorship Supposed to Work?
The recent media attention to pop star, Britney Spears’ conservatorship has painted a dismal picture of arrangements whereby a court-appointed individual has authority to control various aspects of another individual’s finances and personal decisions. Public opinion...
Injured in an Auto Accident? Who Will Pay Your Medical Bills?
If you are injured in an automobile accident, you may be wondering who will pay for accident-related care and treatment. Prior to a settlement or jury verdict, it is unlikely that the responsible party will pay for care and treatment. Therefore, you will likely turn...
What Does the Indemnification Clause in My Contract Mean?
Indemnification provisions provide an important tool to parties seeking to allocate the risk of third-party damages and liabilities when contracting. When reviewing a contract, most people understandably first consider things like deadlines, pricing information, and...
Wisconsin’s Home Improvement Code Protects Homeowners When Remodeling
There has been a significant increase in home remodeling projects since the pandemic began over a year ago, and many people choose to hire a contractor to assist them. Not all contractors provide written contracts with the details of the project, such as total costs,...
What is a Title Commitment?
In almost every real estate transaction title work will be ordered and a title commitment will be provided to the parties to review prior to closing. A title commitment is a document that provides information pertaining to the property that is subject to the...
Wisconsin Expands Ability to Activate Powers of Attorney for Health Care
Wisconsin is facing a shortage of primary care doctors, particularly in rural areas. According to a report by the Wisconsin Council on Medical Education and Workforce, there is expected to be a shortfall of 745 primary care doctors by 2035, in large part due to...
The Purpose of a Tax ID Number for an Estate
For those who are unfamiliar with estate and probate administration, the need for a separate tax identification number can be confusing. Most people are familiar with the idea that when you file your individual tax returns each year, you need to include your social...
OSHA Speaks: Updated Workplace Guidance for Employers Concerning COVID-19
Although the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled on March 31, 2021 that the Governor’s successive masking orders were unlawful, employers in Wisconsin have been uncertain about their duties, under the Occupational Safety Health Act (OSHA), to maintain a safe workplace...
Completing LLC Organization Through Agreements
You have made the decision to start your own small business. That is great news! But what steps should you take now to properly organize your limited liability company? In Wisconsin, the first step of limited liability company formation is to decide on a name and file...