By Attorney Chris Strohbehn

Each year, winter weather conditions such as snow and ice are responsible for around 50,000 car accidents, 5,000 injuries, and 45 fatalities statewide, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Many of these are single-vehicle accidents related to the increased difficulty of keeping a car under control. However, a good number of these crashes involve multiple vehicles, and when this is the case, driver negligence can still be a factor. If you are injured in a crash with another driver during dangerous weather conditions, an attorney can help you understand your options regarding a personal injury claim.

The Importance of Driving Safely in the Winter

In Wisconsin, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care and consideration for the safety of others on the road. This applies even when winter weather conditions make driving inherently more dangerous, which means that anyone who drives in these hazardous conditions needs to take extra precautions.

By Attorney Christopher L. Strohbehn

Owners of hotels and others in the hospitality industry have been some of the hardest hit by COVID-19. Relief has been few and far between for many.  On the one hand, they might be fighting business interruption claims because of the downturn in their business, and on the other hand, they are paying the same, if not more in property taxes at a time when their occupancy and customer traffic are at an all-time low.   

The business climate makes it imperative for hotel owners and commercial property owners to consider a property tax appeal recognizing that the market under COVID-19 has and will continue to be different this coming year.

As COVID-19 vaccines are being provided to people throughout the state of Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers has issued a new emergency order requiring the state's residents to use masks or other face coverings whenever they are indoors or in an enclosed space and around people who are not members of their immediate family. This order comes as part of the state's effort to administer vaccines. Since the supplies of vaccines are limited, health care workers have been given the top priority for vaccinations, and the state has also begun administering vaccines to first responders. People over the age of 65 will be prioritized in the next round of vaccines. By continuing to wear masks and practice social distancing, Wisconsinites can remain safe until everyone has had the chance to be vaccinated. For more information, please visit the state of Wisconsin's COVID-19 web page. Here is Gov. Evers' press release:

Gov. Evers Announces New Public Health Emergency, Issues New Face Coverings Order as State Continues Vaccine Distribution 

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #104 and Emergency Order #1 establishing a new statewide public health emergency and face coverings requirement, respectively, as the state continues to expand vaccination distribution across the state. Executive Order #104 is available here and Emergency Order #1 is available here. 

“We’re working every day to get vaccines distributed and get shots in arms to get our state back to some sort of normal,” said Gov. Evers. “At the end of the day, vaccine supplies are limited, so while we continue to ask the federal government for more vaccines and faster, we have to keep working together to stop the spread today by continuing wear our masks, staying home whenever we can, avoiding gatherings, and doubling down on our efforts to keep our friends, neighbors, and families safe.”

As of today, Wisconsin has administered 248,185 vaccines across the state and began administering vaccines in Phase 1B to first responders and law enforcement earlier this week. The Department of Health Services (DHS) also announced Wisconsinites 65 years or older will be eligible for the vaccine starting Mon., Jan. 25, 2021. There are approximately 700,000 Wisconsin residents 65 years or older that would be eligible for the next round of vaccines, therefore it will take time to get through this group and will be dependent on the number of vaccines provided by the federal government. 

President Biden signed an executive order on January 21, 2021 mandating mask usage in airports and on many planes, trains, ships, and intercity buses. This is part of a new strategy announced after his inauguration to confront the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 405,000 people in the United States. Learn more here.

For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. We also encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.

By Attorney Max Stephenson and Paralegal Courtney Hess

Like all other types of marital property, retirement accounts are included in the equal division of assets in a Wisconsin divorce. This often means that those who expected to rely on their spouse’s contributions, or at least combined contributions from both spouses, to fund their retirement will face the difficult prospect of adjusting their retirement plans to account for their new circumstances. However, it is possible to recover from the effects of your divorce with some smart decision-making and strategic planning.

Dividing Retirement Accounts Correctly

One of the best ways to prevent your divorce from having an outsize effect on your retirement is to think carefully about how you will divide the assets in your retirement accounts. If you and your spouse are negotiating the division of property, you may be able to reach an agreement in which each spouse retains the full amount of any retirement account in his or her name, while offsetting differences in value with other assets as necessary. 

By Attorney Kristen Nelson

Nurses provide an invaluable service, especially during a public health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Becoming a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Wisconsin requires the dedication of significant time, energy, and money, and it can be concerning to learn that your nursing license may be under threat due to the possibility of disciplinary action. Wisconsin nurses should understand the violations that can result in discipline, as well as their options for defending against allegations of these violations.

Nursing Violations in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s legal and administrative codes both include a list of actions that can result in disciplinary consequences to a nurse’s license. These violations include:

By Attorney Erin Strohbehn

Losing a loved one under any circumstances can be incredibly difficult, and your emotional pain may be all-encompassing, making it difficult to focus on the process of probate, in which the assets of your loved one’s estate are distributed to their heirs and beneficiaries. However, if you suspect that there is something wrong with your loved one’s last will and testament, it may be important to find the energy and focus to take legal action to contest it. Fortunately, a probate litigation attorney can help you handle the complications of this process, relieving much of your personal stress.

Reasons to Contest a Will

It is important to note that in Wisconsin, not just anyone has the standing to contest a will. In order to pursue a will contest, you usually must be named as a beneficiary in the current will or a previous version of the decedent’s will, or you must have a relationship to the decedent that would entitle you to inheritance through intestate succession, the process that takes place when a person dies without a will.

By Attorney Nicole Masnica

Many criminal offenses committed in Wisconsin are handled within the state’s criminal justice system, including crimes related to operating while intoxicated (OWI), many types of property crimes, and violent crimes. However, if an alleged offense violates a federal law, the defendant can instead be tried in federal court. If you have been accused of a federal crime, or if you believe you may be at risk of facing federal charges, your attorney can help you understand what to expect.

Examples of Federal Offenses

There are many different kinds of offenses for which a person may face federal charges, but some of the most common include:

By Attorney Christopher L. Strohbehn

Are you are a Wisconsin taxpayer who has objected to the payment of property taxes at the local Board of Review this year? If so, and you received a full hearing deciding the merits of your objection, then it is time to consider filing an excessive assessment claim if you have not already done so.

If you find yourself in this position, this is yet another procedural step you must take if you wish to further contest your claim in Wisconsin Circuit Court.

By Attorney Max Stephenson

Asking your partner to get a prenuptial agreement can make for an awkward conversation. Before you take this difficult step, it is a good idea to consider whether a prenup actually makes sense for your personal situation. Not every couple needs a prenuptial agreement, but there are situations where one can be beneficial. If a prenup will help to protect your financial interests and give one or both partners greater peace of mind, it may be worth the initial awkwardness.

What Can a Prenuptial Agreement Include?

What is commonly known as a prenuptial agreement is called a “marital property agreement” under Wisconsin law, and it is actually possible to create one either before or during your marriage. As the name suggests, the primary purpose of such an agreement is to clarify matters involving property and finances. Some of the things that a Wisconsin prenuptial agreement can address include:

In addition to being a criminal offense in Wisconsin, driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the clearest examples of negligence that can justify compensation in a civil personal injury lawsuit. Drunk driving can happen especially often during the holidays. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident with a drunk driver, your injuries may be severe, and an attorney can help you take the necessary steps to recover compensation for your losses.

What Makes Drunk Driving Dangerous?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol impairs a driver’s physical and mental abilities in many ways, and the effects increase as more drinks are consumed. Among other things, alcohol affects:

• Judgment
• Alertness
• Focus and concentration
• Visual functions
• Balance
• Coordination and control
• Reaction time
• Memory and information processing

Clearly, getting behind the wheel while your mind and body are in this impaired state demonstrates a disregard for the safety of others on the road. When this breach of a driver’s duty of care causes a car accident and injuries resulting in economic and non-economic damages, the driver can be considered negligent, and therefore liable.