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Recent Blog Posts
How to Protect Your Children from the Effects of Your Wisconsin Divorce
Often, one of the primary concerns of parents before and during a divorce is how the process will affect their children. Getting a divorce is a stressful process that can affect the entire family, especially the kids. The divorce process is never easy for anyone, but it can actually be rather difficult for children to cope with because they are not as emotionally mature as adults. However, multiple studies have found that it is not the divorce itself that gives children problems or anxiety. Rather, it is the stress and tension that comes with a divorce that can cause lasting issues. If you are going through a divorce and you have children, you should speak with a Wisconsin divorce lawyer before you make any decisions.
Tips for Dealing With Your Children and Divorce
There have been many studies conducted on the effects of divorce on children, however, there has never been a direct correlation drawn between divorce, in general, and negative outcomes. However, studies have determined that most of the detrimental effects associated with divorce arise from divorces that are riddled with conflict and constantly exposing the children to it. Every parent who goes through a divorce wants what is best for their kids. Here are a few tips to help you protect your children during your divorce:
Who Can File a Domestic Abuse Restraining Order in Wisconsin?
Throughout the United States, domestic violence has been a social issue of focus for the past couple of decades. Despite numerous campaigns and years of education dedicated to preventing domestic violence, it still remains a prevalent social issue. According to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 12 million people experience some form of domestic violence each year. Situations that involve domestic violence are extremely tricky and are detrimental not only to the victim but also to the perpetrator. If the victim decides to pursue a restraining order, you could face criminal charges, among other consequences if you live in Wisconsin.
What Is Considered “Domestic Abuse?”
Domestic abuse is a complicated term. The state of Wisconsin has a very broad definition of domestic violence acts, leaving much of the interpretation to individual judges and courts. Currently, Wisconsin law defines domestic abuse as:
3 Common Financial Mistakes to Avoid Making in Your Wisconsin Divorce
Each year there are millions of people who go through the long and tedious process of divorce. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), around 40 to 50 percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Both men and women experience divorce at similar rates, but they do not always experience divorce in the same ways, as women typically tend to suffer the most financially and experience greater financial losses after a divorce. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), women’s total household income fell by 41 percent after divorce, compared to men, whose total household income fell by only 23 percent.
Understanding Your Finances
One of the biggest reasons for the disparity in divorce outcomes is simply just a lack of involvement in or knowledge of the family’s finances. However, there are many reasons a divorce could go wrong, as well as many ways that you could make a mistake. If you are going through a divorce, you should avoid making these top financial errors:
What Are the Consequences if a Minor Uses a Fake ID in Wisconsin?
There are many things that you need identification (ID) for, such as getting married, taking a flight, applying for public aid and assistance, purchasing a house, and the list goes on. For many teenagers, fake ID cards are an attractive option to allow them to purchase alcohol and drink with their friends even though they are under the age of 21. The existence of fake ID cards undermines the validity of legitimate ID cards, which is why cases involving false identification are taken so seriously. Getting a fake ID card can seem like a good idea, but if you are caught using a fake ID in Wisconsin, you could face serious criminal charges that could have a major impact on your future.
Wisconsin Fake ID Laws
Most of the time, if a juvenile is caught with a fake ID card, he or she purchased or obtained the card from another person in an attempt to buy alcohol. Wisconsin law states that juveniles could be charged with a fake ID offense if they do any of the following:
When Can I Modify My Wisconsin Parenting Time Agreement?
When you get a divorce in the state of Wisconsin and you are a parent, you are required to determine several things before you finalize your divorce. You must determine nearly everything related to your children, such as where they will live, what their custody arrangement schedule would look like, how much child support would be and who pays it, among other things. When you and your spouse come to an agreement about parenting time, you are then bound to that agreement for at least two years after the final judgment unless you have evidence that the current custody placement is harming the child in some way. If you are seeking to modify a Wisconsin parenting time agreement, help from an attorney can be extremely beneficial.
What Factors Can Increase the Severity of My Criminal Sentence?
If you have ever had the experience of being a defendant in the criminal justice system, you know that there is a lot of uncertainty involved in the process of being arrested and charged with a crime. Every criminal case is unique because every situation is different, but they do typically follow a similar pattern. Once you are charged with a crime, your attorney will begin to work out a defense strategy for you, which may include a plea bargain or it may include proceeding to trial. Once your case has come to a decision, the judge will then determine the sentence for your crime. Depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding your case, you could be at risk for a harsher sentence.
Aggravating Factors in Wisconsin
Once you have reached the sentencing stage of your case, the judge will review your case in its entirety and determine if aggravating factors are present that would warrant additional penalties. Various aggravating factors could apply to any crime in Wisconsin, but there are also aggravating factors that are specific to a certain offense only. For example, if the defendant attempted to conceal his or her identity while committing the act, this could be applied to most crimes. However, something like knowing you are HIV positive would only be an aggravating factor if you were being tried for a sex crime.
How Can I Protect My Credit During My Wisconsin Divorce?
For many people, getting a divorce is a very emotional process, but what many people do not realize is that divorce can have a huge impact on their finances. The decisions that you make during your divorce will affect your financial health for years to come, which is why you will want to be sure to prepare yourself for life after divorce as much as possible. One of the things you should keep an eye on during your divorce is your credit score. According to one survey of divorced Americans, 38 percent of respondents said they saw their credit score drop by more than 50 points after their divorce. In general, the act of getting a divorce in itself will not affect your credit score, but actions that are taken before and during the divorce can dictate the effect the divorce has on your credit. Below are a few tips to help you protect your credit during your Wisconsin divorce.
Will I Still Be Able to Drive After My Wisconsin OWI Charge?
Nobody ever plans to get pulled over and arrested for drinking and driving, but it happens more often than you may think. There were nearly 29,000 people arrested for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in Wisconsin in 2015, according to the Department of Transportation (DoT). If you are arrested for OWI, chances are you will also be convicted as the DoT also stated that the drivers in 93 percent of the OWI cases that were charged were found guilty. If you are convicted of even a first-time OWI offense in Wisconsin, you could have your driver’s license suspended or revoked for six to nine months, making your life more difficult. Fortunately, you may be able to apply for an occupational license, which would alleviate some of the hardship.
Obtaining an Occupational License
The first question that is often on a person’s mind after being charged with OWI is, “Am I still able to drive?” The answer to that question usually depends on the circumstances surrounding the case. In Wisconsin, an occupational license can be requested to allow you to drive to and from work or school. To be eligible for an occupational license, you must have had a valid license prior to its suspension or revocation. You will not be eligible for an occupational license if you have two or more revocation or suspension cases from separate incidents in a one-year period or if you have not served all mandatory waiting periods before applying for the occupational license.
What Does a Parenting Plan Address in a Wisconsin Divorce?
One of the biggest fears that parents have when ending their marriage is how divorce will affect their children. Fortunately, most children whose parents get divorced grow up to be happy, successful, and well-adjusted adults. Studies have shown that children of divorce are relatively unaffected by the event as long as they are exposed to marital conflict as little as possible. In order to promote cooperation, Wisconsin courts require parents to attend mediation to try to create a parenting plan before appearing before a judge. If mediation fails or would be inappropriate, then you will need to go to court, where a judge will determine a parenting plan for you. However, if you and your co-parent are able to negotiate a plan among yourselves, this is even more beneficial.
What Are the Penalties for an OWI That Results in Injury or Death?
One of the leading causes of death in the nation continues to be motor vehicle accidents. According to the latest data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 36,500 people who died in traffic accidents in the United States in 2018. Of those individuals, more than 10,500, or 29 percent, were killed because of an alcohol-related traffic accident. In Wisconsin, operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance is illegal and can lead to serious consequences. However, if the injury or death of another person were to result from an OWI charge, you could face even more serious penalties.
Punishments for Injury or Death With OWI
Wisconsin is the last state to punish first-time OWI offenders with a criminal charge, rather than simply a moving violation. Currently, a first-time OWI in Wisconsin can land you a fine of $150 to $300 and a six- to nine-month driver’s license revocation. However, if you cause bodily harm or injury to another person while you were operating a vehicle while intoxicated, even during a first-time offense, you could face $300 to $2,000 in fines, up to one year in prison, and up to a two-year driver’s license revocation. If you have had prior OWI convictions and/or chemical test refusals, you will face stricter penalties. This can be charged as a Class H felony, which carries a possible six-year prison sentence and up to $10,000 in fines.
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