Recent Blog Posts
What Should I Do if I Am Injured in a Wisconsin Snowmobile Accident?
In Wisconsin, many people take advantage of the winter weather at this time of year to ride their snowmobiles. This popular hobby can be a source of enjoyment and excitement, but it can also be dangerous. Snowmobile accidents are fairly common in Wisconsin, and many result in serious injuries and even death. If you have been injured in a snowmobile accident, you should know the steps that you can take to give yourself the best chance of recovering damages.
Steps to Take After a Snowmobile Crash
Injury victims from snowmobile crashes have the option to pursue compensation for their damages if the accident was caused by another negligent party. After an accident in which you are injured, you should do the following:
- Notify law enforcement. Wisconsin law requires anyone involved in a snowmobile accident that results in injury or fatality to stop and exchange information with other involved parties, to alert law enforcement as soon as possible, and to file a report with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources within 10 days.
Can Wisconsin Child Support Be Modified Due to a Change in Income?
Whether a child’s parents are married, divorced, or unmarried, the child is entitled to financial support from both of them. In the case of divorced or unmarried parents, this usually comes in the form of court-ordered child support that one parent pays to the other for the purpose of providing for the child’s needs. The amount ordered depends on a variety of factors, but the most important are the income of the paying parent and the placement schedule of the child or children. If a parent’s income changes after the initial child support order, it may be possible to ask that the order be reviewed and modified to account for the current circumstances.
How Does Winter Weather Affect My Wisconsin Personal Injury Case?
Each year, winter weather conditions such as snow and ice are responsible for around 50,000 car accidents, 5,000 injuries, and 45 fatalities statewide, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Many of these are single-vehicle accidents related to the increased difficulty of keeping a car under control. However, a good number of these crashes involve multiple vehicles, and when this is the case, driver negligence can still be a factor. If you are injured in a crash with another driver during dangerous weather conditions, an attorney can help you understand your options regarding a personal injury claim.
The Importance of Driving Safely in the Winter
In Wisconsin, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care and consideration for the safety of others on the road. This applies even when winter weather conditions make driving inherently more dangerous, which means that anyone who drives in these hazardous conditions needs to take extra precautions.
Gov. Evers Declares New Public Health Emergency Regarding Face Coverings and Vaccine Distribution
As COVID-19 vaccines are being provided to people throughout the state of Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers has issued a new emergency order requiring the state's residents to use masks or other face coverings whenever they are indoors or in an enclosed space and around people who are not members of their immediate family. This order comes as part of the state's effort to administer vaccines. Since the supplies of vaccines are limited, health care workers have been given the top priority for vaccinations, and the state has also begun administering vaccines to first responders. People over the age of 65 will be prioritized in the next round of vaccines. By continuing to wear masks and practice social distancing, Wisconsinites can remain safe until everyone has had the chance to be vaccinated. For more information, please visit the state of Wisconsin's COVID-19 web page. Here is Gov. Evers' press release:
Adjusting Retirement Plans After a Wisconsin Divorce
Like all other types of marital property, retirement accounts are included in the equal division of assets in a Wisconsin divorce. This often means that those who expected to rely on their spouse’s contributions, or at least combined contributions from both spouses, to fund their retirement will face the difficult prospect of adjusting their retirement plans to account for their new circumstances. However, it is possible to recover from the effects of your divorce with some smart decision-making and strategic planning.
Dividing Retirement Accounts Correctly
One of the best ways to prevent your divorce from having an outsize effect on your retirement is to think carefully about how you will divide the assets in your retirement accounts. If you and your spouse are negotiating the division of property, you may be able to reach an agreement in which each spouse retains the full amount of any retirement account in his or her name, while offsetting differences in value with other assets as necessary.
How Can Nurses Defend Against Disciplinary Action in Wisconsin?
Nurses provide an invaluable service, especially during a public health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Becoming a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Wisconsin requires the dedication of significant time, energy, and money, and it can be concerning to learn that your nursing license may be under threat due to the possibility of disciplinary action. Wisconsin nurses should understand the violations that can result in discipline, as well as their options for defending against allegations of these violations.
Nursing Violations in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s legal and administrative codes both include a list of actions that can result in disciplinary consequences to a nurse’s license. These violations include:
Do I Have Grounds to Contest a Will in Wisconsin?
Losing a loved one under any circumstances can be incredibly difficult, and your emotional pain may be all-encompassing, making it difficult to focus on the process of probate, in which the assets of your loved one’s estate are distributed to their heirs and beneficiaries. However, if you suspect that there is something wrong with your loved one’s last will and testament, it may be important to find the energy and focus to take legal action to contest it. Fortunately, a probate litigation attorney can help you handle the complications of this process, relieving much of your personal stress.
Reasons to Contest a Will
It is important to note that in Wisconsin, not just anyone has the standing to contest a will. In order to pursue a will contest, you usually must be named as a beneficiary in the current will or a previous version of the decedent’s will, or you must have a relationship to the decedent that would entitle you to inheritance through intestate succession, the process that takes place when a person dies without a will.
What Types of Crimes Can Result in Federal Charges?
Many criminal offenses committed in Wisconsin are handled within the state’s criminal justice system, including crimes related to operating while intoxicated (OWI), many types of property crimes, and violent crimes. However, if an alleged offense violates a federal law, the defendant can instead be tried in federal court. If you have been accused of a federal crime, or if you believe you may be at risk of facing federal charges, your attorney can help you understand what to expect.
Examples of Federal Offenses
There are many different kinds of offenses for which a person may face federal charges, but some of the most common include:
When Should I Get a Prenuptial Agreement in Wisconsin?
Asking your partner to get a prenuptial agreement can make for an awkward conversation. Before you take this difficult step, it is a good idea to consider whether a prenup actually makes sense for your personal situation. Not every couple needs a prenuptial agreement, but there are situations where one can be beneficial. If a prenup will help to protect your financial interests and give one or both partners greater peace of mind, it may be worth the initial awkwardness.
What Can a Prenuptial Agreement Include?
What is commonly known as a prenuptial agreement is called a “marital property agreement” under Wisconsin law, and it is actually possible to create one either before or during your marriage. As the name suggests, the primary purpose of such an agreement is to clarify matters involving property and finances. Some of the things that a Wisconsin prenuptial agreement can address include:
Drunk Driving During the Holidays: How Can I Hold a Drunk Driver Accountable for My Injuries?
In addition to being a criminal offense in Wisconsin, driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the clearest examples of negligence that can justify compensation in a civil personal injury lawsuit. Drunk driving can happen especially often during the holidays. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident with a drunk driver, your injuries may be severe, and an attorney can help you take the necessary steps to recover compensation for your losses.
What Makes Drunk Driving Dangerous?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol impairs a driver’s physical and mental abilities in many ways, and the effects increase as more drinks are consumed. Among other things, alcohol affects:
- Judgment