Hiring As Much Lawyer as You Need – Wisconsin’s New Rules on Limited Scope Representation
For many years now, limited scope representation—often called “unbundling”, has been a hot topic in the legal field. Our do-it-yourself culture, heavily fueled by the vast array of resources available on the Internet, has caused the number of people who take legal matters into their own hands to explode. While the professional responsibility laws governing […]
COACHING: A New Option for Limited Legal Assistance
“As a coach and a teacher I learned a long time ago you’ve got to bring them along, and then when they’re ready they’ll show what they can do.” Bo Ryan, Head Coach, University of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball. You don’t have to be a big basketball fan to know that the University of Wisconsin’s Frank […]
Fighting The Urge To Fight – Tools For Handling Confrontational Conversations
Although the next presidential election is still almost two years away, the potential candidates are already making news. In recent weeks, several have made news, not by what they had to say, but with the things they refused to talk about. Politicians can get away with refusing to answer questions because they are uncomfortable with […]
Bringing Values to the Negotiations Table
A while back, I handled a divorce for Barb.* The case was set for trial, but by the time we all showed up at the courthouse, Barb and her soon-to-be ex-husband Richard had resolved every issue except one. When the case was called, the judge asked us what the issue was, and how far apart […]
Six Simple Rules For Helping Friends and Family Through the Divorce Experience
Divorce is difficult, not only for those who are in it, but also for friends and family, and we all want to offer support when someone close to us is going through a crisis. This post lists a few things you can do to help a support someone you care for during what can be […]
The Important Business of Parenting
When an entrepreneur starts a new business, he or she doesn’t start out setting up the employees’ work schedule. In fact, it is probably safe to say that who is going to be on duty when is one of the last things to fall in to place. Instead, the business plan is going to start […]
Joint Custody Means Cooperation
“If we have joint custody, does that mean either one of us can make decisions?” Family law attorneys hear this question all the time, and it usually means that a parent has stepped, or is about to step, on a landmine. A recent Court of Appeals decision, Marcott vs. Marcott, released February 27, 2014, makes […]
Don’t Leave Money on the Table at Tax Time
Tax rules and regulations can be a confusing maze, but for divorced or never-married parents, a little effort and cooperation can pay big dividends at tax time. Knowing your way around the tax breaks for parents – or using a tax advisor who understands them – can mean hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars more […]
Can You Afford to Do It Alone?
Something significant has been going on in Wisconsin family courts in recent years. Fewer and fewer divorce cases are being filed, but a growing percentage of those that are filed do not have an attorney involved. There are many reasons for both of these phenomena. Why the Change? There are fewer divorces because there are […]
The Basics of Family Law Mediation
Fighting, arguing and blaming in a family relationship will often reappear during the dissolution of the relationship. The cost of continuing this behavior can be high: lengthy and expensive litigation, a reduced standard of living once the case is over, and emotional damage to the parties and to the children and, in many cases, difficulty […]