Blog Articles
If a Trespasser is Injured on My Property, Am I Responsible?
As a landowner, you might wonder whether you need to be concerned about injuries that occur when someone trespasses on your property. Generally, trespassers enter your land at their own risk. Both common sense and the law acknowledge that you have “no duty to...
Legal Custody vs. Placement
Wisconsin has two distinct concepts relating to minor children in family law cases: Legal Custody and Physical Placement. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they have distinct legal meanings and implications in the State of Wisconsin. A. Legal custody...
“You Don’t Say?!” Political Speech in the Private Sector Workplace
Another election season is upon us. That means that there may well be spirited discussions around the workplace water cooler or on social media as we express opinions on candidates and political issues. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution generally protects...
Shipwrecked by a Sidewalk
With the exponential growth of technology occurring today, there is an often-repeated adage that “the law struggles to keep up with technology.” As such, it is always interesting when the highest Wisconsin court must spend its limited time with the bleeding edge...
Medicaid Myths and Truths
The cost of nursing home care can be substantial, leaving many people wondering when Medicaid will cover long term care costs. Medicare only covers a small amount of nursing home costs under limited circumstances. As a result, many seniors will rely on Medicaid,...
On The Road Again
If you are traveling out of state and are injured in an automobile accident due to the fault of another, you may have many questions, including where a claim should be brought, whether you will need a local attorney, and what your rights to recovery are. Your first...
Judicare Mediation Services
Our firm receives many calls regarding small claims cases. One issue that immediately becomes a problem is that small claims are limited to damages under $10,000. Legal fees a client pays to us will cut into those damages very quickly, without any guarantee of a court...
Are They Really Faster and Cleaner?
In October 2020, the Department of Energy (DOE) adopted a rule defining a new dishwasher class as “standard residential dishwashers with a cycle time for the normal cycle of one or less from washing through drying.”[1] Not long after passing the 2020 Dishwasher Rule,...
National Health Care Decisions Day
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) is celebrated each year on April 16th. Founded in 2008, the mission of NHDD is to encourage and empower people to begin or continue conversations about their wishes for care through the end of life. Wisconsin is one of a...
What is Elder Law?
We are often asked What is elder law? While the definition of “elderly” is the subject of some debate, the most common defining point is someone who is 65 years or older, as that is when federal Medicare benefits begin. Elder Law, much like “Family Law” or “Employment...
Lease Rights Beyond the Property Line
A lease is an agreement between one party which owns real estate, (landlord or lessor), and another party who seeks to gain use rights to some or all of that real estate for a set period of time (tenant or lessee). The landlord remains the owner of the property, but...
Whose Insurance Should Pay for Vehicle Repairs?
After an accident, a new or potential client will often ask me: “Who should handle my wrecked vehicle – my insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company?” True-to-attorney form, I often respond, “it depends.” Assuming both insurance companies have...
Waste in Real Estate
The word waste provides rich imagery for a fertile imagination. Waste is associated with many unsavory expressions: “wasted, waste product, waste away, and go to waste.” From a legal standpoint, however, “waste” is a narrowly defined concept in property law. It means...
Family Cabin LLCs
We all know someone who has a family cabin “up north.” Family cottages, cabins, and hunting land are a common estate planning concern in Wisconsin. The current owners want to preserve a place full of fun and memories for future generations. Unfortunately, the way...
When Will I Receive My Worker’s Compensation Payments?
At our firm we field many inquiries from individuals who have had the misfortune of sustaining a work injury that naturally have the question: When do I start receiving benefits from the workers’ compensation insurer? Very broadly speaking, as every case/situation is...
If A Tree Falls In Your Woods … Property Owner Liability.
When most people look at trees, legal liability is unlikely the first thing that comes to mind. You may enjoy the shade they provide in the summer and their array of fall colors. However, you should also be on the lookout for liability, particularly for those trees...
Guardianship Training is Now Required
As of January 1, 2023, Wisconsin law requires all new individual guardians to complete a state-approved training course. Prior to this year, Wisconsin only required corporate guardians to have formal training. Now every individual who is nominated to be the guardian...
Comparing Commercial and Residential Leases
Most individuals must navigate a residential lease at some point in their lives – typically for an apartment to live in before potentially purchasing a home later in life. In contrast, the majority of people will never need to negotiate or enter into a commercial...