Estate Planning Options

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

In Wisconsin Statutes, the Ch. 770 addition encourages more same-sex couples to have more options to estate planning.  However, attorneys say that there are still a lot of questions to answer.  Michelle T.L. Hernandez, an attorney for Krueger & Hernandez shares that she has been receiving several calls about this process ever since the application for domestic partner declarations have started on August 3.

Over 400 couples have already filed for declarations - this means that same-sex domestic partners may inherit assets pursuant to state intestacy statute.  They may also sue a wrongful death of a deceased partner.  Hernandez said that this niche is still small.  As more couples register, she expects an evaluation whether she would change their trusts, wills, and estate planning documents and incorporate the new law benefits.  “I think attorneys implementing plans for domestic partners as well as those handing partnership termination will find this new area to be a brand new and hot law.”

Many attorneys are now encouraging their clients to apply for this domestic partnership status.  Same-sex partners will find that the new law provides a few “unique” opportunities in estate planning that is not available to them before.  This includes the ability to obtain the partner’s property, vehicle, or home in the event of death.    

Tags: assets, attorneys, death, declarations, Estate Planning, Krueger & Hernandez, law, Michelle T.L. Hernandez, partnership, same-sex couples, Wisconsin
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Opposition for Liability Laws Change

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

More than 50 organizations and businesses joined together to oppose the bid to change liability laws of Wisconsin authored by Gov. Jim Doyle. This proposal called “joint and several liability” is predicted to increase civil lawsuits and victims receiving full damages.

Doyle’s proposal states that the defendant may not be found equally or more liable than the plaintiff. This means that even if the business owner is only 1% at fault, he or she has to pay 100% of the damages. Trial lawyers supporting the change say that this rarely happens while opponents say that it’s unfair.

Members of the coalition opposing the proposal include the state Hospital Association, Tavern League, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Farmers Union & Farm Bureau in the state, tourism groups, and ski resort owners. They say that this change would raise insurance rates, bring more lawsuits, and would even drive some owners out of business.

According to Madison’s Chevrolet general manager, Tom Thorstad, “I’m really frightened to think of what will happen to Wisconsin’s business climate. My dealership has already cut worker hours and overtime but the proposed laws could inevitably cost my business even more.”

Meanwhile, trial lawyers accused businesses of employing scare tactics. Fears about the state’s business climate change were unfounded because this law would actually improve the existing one. Current liability laws in Wisconsin state that the defendant will not be held liable for damages in any accidental injury or death unless they’re at least 51% at fault.

Tags: Gov. Jim Doyle, law, laws, lawsuits trial lawyers, lawyers, Madison, Tom Thorstad, Wisconsin
Posted in Injury, Personal Injury | No Comments »

The new beer or alcohol class in Wisconsin is raising some very serious issues

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

The University of Wisconsin finally said earlier in the week that it will begin offering to the students a new  wine and beer brewing classes, starting early this this spring all within the the instruction of a senior person.  According to some research this will be the first campus in the United States to offer this type of course as well as some DUI courses. State of Wisconsin is also well known for having the biggest alcohol drinking rate in the whole country, which is intresting.

The actual course being offered at the campus will try to teach students and other people about fermentation and how to brew beer.  Some beer companies have already donated their own equipment to help the class with the whole process, this will allow them to easily make 10 gallons of quality beer by using the given process.  By the time the term ends the hope is that the students will be able to criticize a sample, and the actual rest of the beer that was produced will be discarded or destroyed.

Tags: beer making, dui, student beer making, wine making, Wisconsin
Posted in california dui, dui, dui attorney, dui california, dui florida, dui illinois, dui laws, dui lawyers, dui new jersey, dui oregon | No Comments »

DUI Laws Blog is open!

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

This blog will feature DUI laws in all 50 states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Tags: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Posted in Uncategorized, dui attorney, dui california, dui florida, dui illinois, dui laws, dui lawyers, dui new jersey, dui oregon | No Comments »