The holiday season is a time for celebration and spending quality time with loved ones. However, it is also a time when alcohol consumption tends to increase at parties and gatherings and in other situations. With this increase in drinking, more people may attempt to drive when they are intoxicated. Because of this, the number of arrests for OWI (operating while intoxicated) tends to increase during the holidays. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, an experienced attorney can provide you with legal representation and help you determine your best options for defense.

Holiday Festivities and Alcohol Consumption

During the holiday season, many people indulge in alcoholic beverages as part of their celebrations. From office parties to family gatherings, alcohol often takes center stage. Unfortunately, this heightened drinking can lead some people to make poor decisions, such as getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

Data from law enforcement agencies and studies have consistently shown an uptick in drunk driving incidents during these festive times. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, there are around 400 car accidents involving drunk drivers during the holiday season each year. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has also reported that there were nearly 23,000 OWI convictions in the state in 2022, with a significant percentage of arrests occurring during holidays throughout the year.

A divorce can involve a variety of complex financial issues, including determining how a couple’s marital assets will be divided. These concerns can be especially consequential for business owners, and some of the most important aspects of this process will be related to determining the value of business interests. A proper business valuation is crucial for ensuring that marital property can be divided fairly and equitably. To address this issue correctly, a business owner or their spouse can work with an attorney who has experience addressing complex financial concerns related to business interests and other valuable assets.

The Importance of Business Valuation in Divorce

When a couple decides to end their marriage,  marital property and assets are divided fairly. This includes any business interests owned by either spouse. A proper valuation is essential to ensure that both parties receive an equitable share of the full value of the marital estate, including the true value of the business. Even if a business is a non-marital asset that was owned by one spouse before the couple was married, a business valuation will be necessary, since this will help both parties understand the financial resources that will be available to them going forward.

A thorough valuation provides an accurate assessment of the business’ worth, taking into account factors such as revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, market conditions, and future earning potential. A business valuation can also help prevent one party from undervaluing or overvaluing the business to gain an unfair advantage when dividing assets.

If you have made the decision to file for divorce, you will need to address a variety of financial issues. The divorce process involves the division of assets and debts, as well as concerns related to financial support, retirement planning, and other issues that can affect your short-term and long-term finances. In addition to legal representation from a divorce attorney, it is often beneficial to seek guidance from a financial advisor as you work to legally dissolve your marriage. 

The Role of a Financial Advisor in a Divorce

A financial advisor can help manage money matters and provide advice on investments, taxes, and other financial concerns. When it comes to divorce, their role can extend beyond traditional financial planning. A financial advisor can assist you in making informed decisions about your finances during and after the divorce process.

Here are some ways in which a financial advisor can assist you during your divorce:

Data breaches have become a common occurrence in today's digital age. With the increasing reliance on technology and the vast amount of sensitive information stored online, companies are facing a growing threat of cyberattacks. These data breaches may result in financial losses, but, further, they may also expose businesses to potential lawsuits from people or organizations who have been affected, as well as penalties from regulatory bodies.

A company can take proactive measures to prevent data breaches to protect itself against these types of lawsuits. In cases where a company needs to , an attorney who has experience addressing these issues can provide effective representation. Some key steps that companies can take to protect themselves against data breach litigation include:

Evaluate and Strengthen Security Measures

If you have been arrested for domestic battery in Wisconsin, it is important to understand the potential penalties you may face. Domestic battery is a serious offense that can result in significant legal consequences, including criminal charges and restrictions on when you may be able to return to your home or communicate with your family members. By understanding the penalties associated with a domestic battery arrest in Wisconsin and working with an experienced attorney, you can determine how to navigate through the legal process as you defend against criminal charges.

Understanding Domestic Battery

In Wisconsin, domestic battery falls under the broader category of domestic abuse. It refers to any act of physical violence or threat of harm against an adult family member or a person who shares a home–or formerly shared a home–with the alleged offender. Wisconsin’s definition includes spouses, former spouses, people who share a child together, people who are dating or have dated in the past, and roommates.

The severity of domestic battery charges depends on various factors such as the extent of injuries that were allegedly inflicted upon the victim and whether there were any prior convictions for similar offenses. Here is a closer look at some of the potential penalties for a person who is convicted of domestic battery:

Real estate development involves a variety of complex legal and financial concerns. From finding the right property to securing financing, there are many factors that developers must consider. Because zoning laws are a crucial factor in real estate development, it is important to understand the role that entitlements will play when requesting approval from a local government to develop a property. When addressing issues related to zoning, entitlements, licensing, and variances, developers can work with an experienced attorney to make sure these matters will be handled properly.

What Are Entitlements?

In the context of real estate, entitlements refer to the legal rights granted by government agencies that allow developers to use their property for specific purposes. These rights typically include zoning approvals, building permits, environmental clearances, and other necessary permissions.

Obtaining entitlements is an essential step in the development process as they determine what can be built on a particular piece of land and how a building and property can be used. Without proper entitlements, developers may face legal challenges or restrictions on their projects.

Moving forward after a divorce can be challenging, especially for parents who need to establish new living situations and determine how they will share the responsibility of raising their children. For divorcing parents in Wisconsin, it is important to establish positive co-parenting relationships, which will ensure that both parents can continue to play an active role in their children's lives. While co-parenting may present its own set of challenges, with effective communication and cooperation, parents can make sure they are acting in their children’s best interests when sharing custody and physical placement.

As you work to address legal issues related to care of your children during your divorce, an experienced attorney can help you create a parenting agreement that will allow you to co-parent your children effectively. As you address these concerns, you can do the following to make sure your family will be able to succeed in the years ahead:

Establish Clear Communication Channels

Open and honest communication is one of the keys to successful co-parenting. By establishing rules for how you and your ex-spouse will communicate with each other to discuss child-related issues, you can make sure you will be able to work together to co-parent your children. You may choose to communicate through phone calls, text messages, emails, or even dedicated parenting apps. By finding the methods that work best for your situation, you can make sure important information about your children will be shared promptly.

Shoplifting or retail theft is often seen as a minor offense that may be committed by teenagers or others who steal low-value items from stores. However, this form of theft is still considered a serious crime that can have significant legal consequences. In the state of Wisconsin, shoplifting offenses are typically charged as misdemeanors. However, under certain circumstances, shoplifting can lead to felony charges. A person who has been accused of retail theft will need to understand their rights and their options for defense. Representation from an experienced attorney can be crucial in these situations.

What Constitutes Retail Theft in Wisconsin?

Retail theft occurs when a person intentionally takes possession of or carries away merchandise from a store without paying its full price. While the most commonly recognized form of shoplifting involves pocketing merchandise and leaving a store without paying, there are other activities that could result in retail theft charges. Some examples include:

• Switching price tags on items to purchase a more expensive item at the price of a cheaper item. 

  ...

By Attorneys Raymond Dall’Osto, Jaclyn Kallie and Zak Wroblewski

The Federal Trade Commission FTC) announced in an October 2023 consumer alert, that Americans now have free weekly access to their credit reports, from all three major credit bureaus.  

In the 1990’s, Congress first allowed for a free annual credit bureau check.  During the trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic, several major credit bureaus changed their policies to allow for free weekly checks and access to your full credit bureau report.

By Attorney Zak Wroblewski

In the process of obtaining building permits, business owners and real estate developers may encounter situations where they need to address special use variances with the Board of Zoning Appeals. Understanding when these variances are required is crucial to navigating the complex world of zoning and land use regulations. Because the procedures that must be followed when handling these types of appeals can be complicated, it is crucial for property owners and developers to work with an attorney who has experience in this area.

What Is a Use Variance?

A use variance is a permission granted by the local government that allows a business or entity to use property in a way that deviates from the standard zoning regulations. These deviations typically involve land uses that are prohibited within a particular zone but may still be compatible with surrounding properties.