Posted on July 06, 2022 in Family Law

Following a Wisconsin divorce, both spouses tend to have strong negative feelings about alimony and spousal maintenance. The spouse paying often feels as though the payments are unjustified since the relationship has ended, while the spouse receiving payments frequently feels as though they are insufficient considering their contributions to the marriage over the years. However, regardless of how you feel about spousal maintenance, once an order has been entered into a divorce decree it is legally enforceable and must be followed until it has been terminated. Failing to send alimony payments before the allotted time is up can result in serious penalties, so it is important to understand this area of Wisconsin family law. 

How Long Does Alimony Usually Last in Wisconsin? 

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 Posted on June 30, 2022 in Criminal Law

Seeing the flashing lights of a police cruiser pulling up behind you is never a fun event. Most of the time, drivers in Wisconsin are pulled over for simple traffic infractions like speeding or not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. However, in some cases, the traffic offense is much more serious and could lead to your arrest and even jail time. In addition to Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), there are other traffic offenses that could leave you with a criminal record. If you are charged with any of the following offenses, it is best to contact an experienced attorney who can take on your case.

Serious Consequences for Traffic Offenses

If you accumulate enough minor traffic offenses, you may eventually face criminal charges and even a revoked license. However, the following offenses are considered criminal, with much more serious consequences:

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 Posted on June 20, 2022 in Criminal Law

There can be many different warning signs that your marriage is in trouble. While disagreements over money and finances are common in every marriage, they can come to a head before a divorce. In some cases, a spouse may take steps to hide income, conceal purchases, or take other questionable and secret financial steps. Whether it is to avoid the scrutiny of their spouse or to hide assets from division during an anticipated divorce, there are signs you can look for if you suspect your spouse is hiding money.

Five Financial Signs to Watch in a Marriage

Taken individually, these steps may not arouse suspicion, but if you see more than one sign or if your marriage is already headed for a divorce, it may be time to act. Contact a divorce attorney who can help you discuss your next steps with a financial expert.

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 Posted on June 13, 2022 in Drug Charges

While more states, including neighboring Michigan and Illinois, have decriminalized and legalized marijuana use over the past few years, the substance remains illegal in Wisconsin. However, more momentum may be gathering in Madison for legalization, as bills to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana use were both introduced this past year but did not advance. Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke said that legalization is likely to happen eventually in Wisconsin. Hearings were held this spring and while there was support from members of both parties, numbers were not great enough to take action on the bills. Other lawmakers believed the bills were nothing more than an election-year strategy to get publicity with no real hope of getting them passed.

A Marquette University poll indicated that 61% of Wisconsin voters favor legalization, with even higher percentages supportive of medical marijuana, with 80% in favor. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states.

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 Posted on June 02, 2022 in Family Law

While your divorce may be the best decision for you and your spouse, children and teens may react in different ways depending on their emotional level, their age, and even the situation in the house at the time of the divorce. Most children will adjust to the new situation over time, but they will still go through a range of emotions and behaviors. Here are some of the more common ways that children will react to the news of their parents’ divorce.

Shock, sadness, and disappointment – Children often feel overcome and blindsided by a divorce. They may get emotional and feel you betrayed them. You can let them know that it is natural to be sad, but reassure them that they will be okay, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.

Relief - If your marriage had been rocky and the children were subject to hearing loud arguments on a regular basis, they may feel relieved that they may get a break from a stressful environment.

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 Posted on May 31, 2022 in Criminal Law

The second amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms, but that right is not always absolute. To protect public safety, states including Wisconsin have put restrictions on the type of firearms and other weapons that can be possessed, and the manner in which they can be used. While some of these restrictions may be common knowledge, others are more obscure. Violating any of firearms laws could result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the case or the conduct of the violator.

Examples of Firearms Restrictions

Here are some of the restrictions that have been placed on firearms or the conduct of citizens by the Wisconsin legislature. These laws have exceptions for members of law enforcement or the military while operating in the course of their employment or their official capacity.

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 Posted on May 18, 2022 in Criminal Law

No one likes to be the target of loud or obnoxious behavior from another person. But where is the legal line, and what are the potential penalties for going too far? In Wisconsin, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense, you may be charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, or stalking, with generally increasing severity of penalties. If you face any of these charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential.

Potential Charges for Obnoxious Behavior

Disorderly Conduct - If you are accused of conduct that is considered violent, indecent, boisterous, profane, or unreasonably loud, you may be charged with disorderly conduct. This can include shouting lewd things at people on the street or acting threateningly. Wisconsin law allows disorderly conduct to be charged if the behavior happened in a public or a private place. The penalty for being found guilty of disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor, is a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum of 90 days in jail.

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 Posted on May 10, 2022 in Family Law

During a divorce, one of the more important and potentially contentious issues is ongoing payments from one spouse to the other. Spousal maintenance, also known as spousal support or alimony, is designed to allow a spouse who was not employed or brought in less income than their partner to maintain their standard of living after a divorce. In the state of Wisconsin, judges have wide latitude on how to grant maintenance payments and to determine how long they will last. It is important to work with an attorney who can make sure that the money you are receiving, or the amount you are ordered to pay, is appropriate.

Factors for Maintenance Payments

While there is no set formula to determine maintenance payments or duration in Wisconsin, judges largely base their order on the following factors:

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 Posted on April 29, 2022 in Criminal Law

Whether you are speed boating in the expansive waters of Lake Michigan or fishing in a smaller lake or river, Wisconsin offers boating enthusiasts endless opportunities to spend time on the water. People often wait all year for the chance to spend summer days relaxing in their boats. Many people enjoy bringing alcohol onto their boat, and while responsible alcohol use can lead to great memories with family and friends, irresponsible use can lead to accidents, injuries, and charges of boating under the influence. If you have been charged with a BUI, it is essential to speak with a Wisconsin criminal defense attorney who can help you understand your legal options. 

What are the Consequences of Boating Under the Influence? 

Although boating under the influence can carry less severe consequences than driving under the influence, charges are still serious, especially for repeat offenders. First time offenders face a fine between $150 and $300. Second offenses, however, face between five days and six months in jail and fines between $300 and $1,000. Punishments steadily increase for continued offenses and, if an accident involving serious bodily injury or death occurred while boating under the influence, the person responsible may face up to a year in prison, fines up to $2,000, and any other criminal or civil penalties associated with the accident (such as property damage, personal injury, etc.). 

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 Posted on April 25, 2022 in Family Law

In our last blog, we looked at signs that could indicate you may be headed for a high-conflict divorce in Wisconsin. However, even in situations where spouses fought continuously before deciding to get divorced, there are steps that can be taken during the divorce process to reduce conflict. By the time you talk to a divorce attorney, ending your relationship may be inevitable, but a quarrelsome divorce does not have to be. 

Stay Off Social Media

The tendency to share every aspect of our lives on social media might be nice when it comes to pictures of your kids and your home renovations, but airing your dirty laundry when you are in the midst of a divorce is a terrible idea. Not only does it make your friends and family uncomfortable, but it can antagonize relationships with your soon-to-be ex, their family, and your mutual friends. This can lead to further conflict, as your ex may try to document your social media behavior and use it against you during divorce proceedings. Generally speaking, the less social media activity during divorce, the better. 

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