“The Judge” Teaches the Importance of Local Counsel
Recently my wife and I watched the movie, The Judge, starring Robert Downey, Jr., and Robert Duvall. In the movie, Duvall is a local judge in a rural Indiana County, very similar to Green or Lafayette County. Downey plays his estranged son who had left home and became a big city defense lawyer. The judge […]
Choosing the Right Business Entity
Our firm represents many small business owners in Green and Lafayette Counties. One of the decisions we help clients make is choosing the right business entity for their particular business. There are advantages and disadvantages to each form. The following discussion will highlight some of the basic and most important differences between the various possibilities. […]
First Ten Days Critical in Drunk Driving Cases
A recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision reinforces the importance of meeting critical deadlines when charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OWI). In the matter of the refusal of Brandon Bentdahl, 351 Wis. 2d 739 (2013), the defendant was found not guilty of OWI, and then requested the trial court to find that […]
Who’s the Daddy? Downloaded Agreement Doesn’t Hold Up.
A man who thought he was doing a favor has, instead, been told he’s a father. According to published news reports, a Kansas judge ruled that the man’s failure to follow the procedures spelled out in the state’s artificial insemination statute means he is the child’s father in the eyes of the law, and the […]
What’s My Personal Injury Case Worth?
Invariably, before my initial interview with a client who has been injured in an accident or who suffered the loss of loved one in an accident is completed, I will be asked, “What is my case worth?” Mind you, prospective clients aren’t asking this question out of greed. Rather, there are many other motivations. They […]
Six Estate Planning Assumptions to Avoid
Don’t make assumptions about how you “think” your estate will be handled when you are gone. See an attorney and make sure you “know” what will happen. Here are some common misconceptions about probate transfers and related matters: 1. My Spouse Will Inherit Everything Anyway, So I Don’t Need to Do Estate Planning. In a first […]
What to Do if You Have Been Injured in an Accident
Persons involved in an accident who have suffered injuries should protect themselves and their families by taking certain actions. Immediately after an accident, be sure to call the police, and obtain the name, address, and driver’s license number of the other drivers. You should also obtain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses […]
The Four Basic Estate Planning Documents Everyone Should Have
Many people feel that a well-drafted testamentary will is all they need when it comes to estate planning documents. In fact, there are four basic estate planning documents that everyone should have: a testamentary will, a financial power of attorney, as well as a power of attorney for health care and declaration to physicians. When […]
Important Requirements Affecting Contractors and Homeowners
The “Right to Cure” Act of 2005 requires contractors to provide certain information to owners when constructing a new dwelling or when remodeling an existing home. The contractor must deliver to the owner a brochure from the Department of Safety & Professional Services that explains how a dispute over a construction defect is to be […]
The Pitfalls of Payable on Death Designations
Or, Why Probate Isn’t Always a Bad Thing. The name James Sheppard probably did not ping on most people’s radar before 2007. In that year Sheppard became the talk of the proverbial “estate planning” town, all because he did something that is relatively common: died intestate, meaning without a will. His estate now has the […]