Identity theft or fraud for the purposes of renting an apartment is growing issue. We have heard there are social media pages dedicated to selling fraudulent identities to individuals specifically to rent apartments as well as sites that will produce fake paystubs, bank account information, credit reports and checks or money orders, along with the more traditional methods such as friends and family members posing as a current employer or former landlord to give a good reference.

With all…
Continue Reading I Think I Discovered a Fraudulent Tenant, What Can I do?

The holiday season is a time for celebration and spending quality time with loved ones. However, it is also a time when alcohol consumption tends to increase at parties and gatherings and in other situations. With this increase in drinking, more people may attempt to drive when they are intoxicated. Because of this, the number of arrests for OWI (operating while intoxicated) tends to increase during the holidays. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, an experienced attorney…
Continue Reading Do OWI Arrests Increase During the Holidays in Wisconsin?

Planning for your minor children in your estate plan is a crucial aspect of parenthood that ensures their well-being and security, even in your absence. It involves thoughtful considerations and strategic decision-making. Here are the key steps to take when planning for minor children, ensuring a secure and prosperous future for them.
Planning for Minor Children in Your Estate Plan
Appoint a Guardian for Your Child

The decision to name a guardian for your child is one of the…
Continue Reading Planning for Minor Children in Your Estate Plan

Thanksgiving and the holiday season hold a special meaning to us, and whether you celebrate these occasions or not, we want to extend our gratitude and thanks to you and your family for your dedication, contributions, and personal sacrifices you make toward the profession and the clients you serve. In particular, we want to thank:

  • The Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices and our judges around the state for the crucial role they play in upholding our legal system. They are

…
Continue Reading Thank You for Working Toward Justice in Wisconsin

Nov. 21, 2023 – A corporation is not entitled to voting eligibility forms created as part of guardianship proceedings because the forms are pertinent to guardianship proceedings and are closed under a state statute, the Wisconsin Cout of Appeal has ruled.In Wisconsin Voter Alliance v. Reynolds, 2022AP 1749 (Nov. 9, 2023), the Court of Appeals District IV also held that the circuit court’s labeling of a records request as a “fishing expedition” did not show bias that violated…
Continue Reading Court of Appeals: Voting Group Not Entitled to Guardianship Voting Forms

Nov. 21, 2023 – De novo review, rather than certiorari review, is the proper form of review for a circuit court hearing a challenge to a municipality’s disallowance of a property tax exemption, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals has ruled.In North Central Conservancy Trust, Inc., v. Town of Harrison, 2022AP185 (Nov. 7, 2023), the Court of Appeals District III held that because de novo review was proper, the circuit court did not err by considering evidence not previously…
Continue Reading De Novo Review Proper for Challenge to Disallowed Property Tax Exemption

stock photo

A divorce can involve a variety of complex financial issues, including determining how a couple’s marital assets will be divided. These concerns can be especially consequential for business owners, and some of the most important aspects of this process will be related to determining the value of business interests. A proper business valuation is crucial for ensuring that marital property can be divided fairly and equitably. To address this issue correctly, a business owner or their spouse can work…
Continue Reading How to Perform a Business Valuation During the Divorce Process

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from various accidents. TBIs can have a severe physical, cognitive and emotional impact. They require prompt medical attention and treatment.

Knowing the signs of a TBI allows you to seek appropriate care for yourself or a loved one.
Loss of consciousness
One clear sign of a TBI is a loss of consciousness. However, note that someone may have a TBI even if they remained awake and alert after a head impact.
Persistent headaches…
Continue Reading Do not ignore the signs of a traumatic brain injury

The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to the November issue of the Capitol Connection.

Inside this issue

Legislature Stands Adjourned Until Mid-January

On Tuesday, both the Assembly and Senate concluded the legislature’s business until after the holidays. Three major proposals will now move on to Governor Evers’ desk for a signature or veto.

TOP THREE ISSUES OF INTEREST

1. American Family Field

The Senate amended…
Continue Reading Capitol Connection, November 2023

Beneficiary designations can be the foundation of a solid estate plan. Losing a loved one is already an emotionally challenging experience, and dealing with the practical aspects of their estate can add an additional layer of stress. A missing beneficiary designation on even one account can cause unexpected complications during the grieving process that only add additional strife to your loved ones.

An oversight can lead to the necessity of the probate process, resulting in significant legal fees, court…
Continue Reading Beneficiary Designations & Your Estate Plan

A proceeding to terminate the parental rights (TPR) of one or both parents is initiated by preparing and filing a petition, summons and a notice. The petition is the document that identifies the people involved, including the child, and the grounds to terminate the right of one or both of the parents. Think of “grounds” as the reason for filing the petition. The summons and notice are the documents in which the parents and other parties are notified of…
Continue Reading Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings

In an earlier post, we discussed when the relationship between two parties qualifies as a protected dealership under the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law and how the statute may apply to an eclectic mix of commercial arrangements. For a WFDL-protected dealership to exist, the purported dealer must demonstrate that its dealership is “situated in” the state. Wis. Stat. § 135.02(2). The statute offers no definition or test for when a dealership is situated in Wisconsin. While it is fairly simple…
Continue Reading The Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law Enters Its 50th Year: Situated in Wisconsin

https-wisblawg-law-wisc-edu-wp-content-uploads-sites-1093-2023-11-reality-checkpoint-paint-wall-903x1024-jpg

University of Wisconsin Law School alumni may remember that there used to be an area of the building affectionately known as the Reality Checkpoint. This stairway to nowhere became a landmark for a generation of law students.  Today, the UW Law Library brings this unique piece of history back to the law school.
Having outgrown the original 1893 brownstone, the UW Law School building underwent a series of renovations in the mid-20th century. The stairway, which was…
Continue Reading “Reality Checkpoint” Returns to UW Law School

stock photo - calendaring

We have to treat our time like a precious resource. It has to be used effectively.

First, let’s look at what we are doing right now, and which of those things we shouldn’t be. Welcome to the Eisenhower Matrix or the 4 Ds. Which things are Do, Delay, Delete, or Dump? Put another way, divide your tasks into: Urgent/Important, Not Urgent/Important, Urgent/Unimportant, and Not Urgent/Unimportant.

Urgent/Important = DO 
Not Urgent/Important = DELAY (Distractions) 

Urgent/Unimportant = DELEGATE 
Not Urgent/Unimportant = …
Continue Reading Divide and Conquer Your Time Sinks

http-www-laviniagoodell-com-wp-content-uploads-2023-11-lavinias-madison-office-pinckney-street-e1699927784988-jpg

“I have been the bluest and lonesomest dog you ever saw.”
Lavinia Goodell, November 20, 1879

November 1879 was not a happy time for Lavinia Goodell. After eight years in Janesville, Wisconsin, she rather abruptly made the decision to move to Madison, Wisconsin’s capitol city, and set up her law practice there. She arrived in Madison by train on Saturday, November 15. On the 20th she wrote a long letter to her cousin Sarah Thomas in which she laid…
Continue Reading ‘I have been the bluest and lonesomest dog you ever saw’

Nov. 14, 2023  – A building owner who failed to challenge a city’s determination that the cost to repair the building was more than half its value and had no right to repair the building, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals has held.In City of New Lisbon v. Muller, 2022AP1683 (Nov. 2, 2023), the Court of Appeals District IV also held that an order authorizing the city to raze the building was final even though it wasn’t labeled as…
Continue Reading Court: City Could Raze Dilapidated Building After Owner Failed to Respond