General

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,...

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...

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...

Harassment restraining orders are appropriate when another person threatens, attempts or does strike, shove, kick or otherwise subjects you to physical contact; or repeatedly acts in a harassing or intimidating manner toward you for no legitimate purpose.  These types...

As of late, Wisconsin courts have been grappling with one of the most important questions facing the nation: What is a garage? Is it defined by size or exterior proportions? Do the construction materials define what it means to be a garage? Attached or detached? Is it...

The constitutional right to a jury trial does not take a back seat to coronavirus (COVID-19.) Yet, COVID-19 has impacted the ability of courts to supply juries for trial. The Seventh Amendment codifies the right to a jury trial not only for criminal trials, but in...

If you were trying to get yourself to sleep by perusing the Wisconsin Statutes on Insurance Contracts, you may run across Wis. Stat. § 631.83(1)(a) – statutory periods of limitation on fire insurance.  The section states: “An action on a fire insurance policy must be...

A supported decision-making agreement is a method of decision-making available to individuals with disability through an arrangement with another trusted person. These agreements give individuals with functional impairments the ability to create a formal arrangement...

The Wisconsin Supreme Court, by a 4-3 vote, invalidated Wisconsin’s Safer-at-Home Order, also known as Order #28.  It issued that decision on May 13, 2020. Here are five key takeaways to consider in the wake of that decision: 1.)  As of this writing, Order #28 is no...

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsinites, along with the rest of the nation, have endured sudden and severe job loss.  As of May 14, 2020, the University of Wisconsin Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy estimated the Wisconsin unemployment rate to be 21.9%. ...

“As wonderful as dogs can be, they are famous for missing the point.” – Jean Ferris. Sometimes when dogs miss the point; things can go horribly wrong. Statistically, there are four to five million Americans bitten by dogs every year.  There is precedent for animals...

If you are like me, after mowing the lawn and job well cut, you may enjoy a cold refreshing adult beverage.  With that frosty refreshment in mind, I stumbled upon a recent, and unique, Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision that held that a riding lawn mower is a “motor...

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...

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...

It can be an exciting time for parents of high school seniors. Many are selecting colleges, technical schools, planning for careers after high school, or perhaps a trip abroad. With all the changes that come with being the parent of a child who is turning...

Regardless of the facts, there are certain types of legal cases that restrict the amount of time in which legal action may be taken based on statutes of limitations. Statutes of limitations are laws that set the maximum time after an event within which...

Nearly half of Americans may have had their information stolen in the massive Equifax data breach revealed last week.  One way to protect yourself from further harm is to freeze your credit.  A credit freeze prevents creditors from accessing your...