Perspectives

Throughout November and December, WFJ is raising money for Toys for Tots, and donating gifts as well. Since we like to have fun while supporting charities, we plan on having a wine tasting with proceeds going to Toys for Tots, raffles and prizes for those who donate within the office, a cookie sale, and a competition between attorneys and staff to see who can bring in the most presents for donation. Toys for Tots is a great cause, providing holiday items to underprivileged children in our area. If you can give some support, in the form of a donation or volunteer work, please do! For more info, see their website: www.toysfortots.org

Entering into a lease agreement is typically a significant financial decision.  Therefore, paying attention to the following terms can protect your rights and your pocketbook. It is always prudent to have an attorney review the lease, to ensure you understand the terms and conditions. The following are commonly found issues that one should understand before signing: …

Prenuptial agreements are not just for the rich  and famous.  A prenuptial agreement allows couples to dictate how their property,  including property they brought into the marriage, will be divided in the event of death or dissolution of their marriage. Effectively, parties to a prenuptial agreement agree that they will determine the law that applies, rather than allow Minnesota law to determine each party’s rights and obligations. So, while everyone believes their marriage will last forever, the reality is that not all of them do. Also, parties may decide to be married later in life, once they have accumulated some wealth and property interests, and they may want a prenuptial agreement to ensure that their property is protected. …

There were 72,117 car crashes in Minnesota in 2011, resulting in 30,295 injuries.* In 2010, Wisconsin had over 100,000 car crashes with over 40,000 injured people.** The most common reason for filing bankruptcy is medical expense. Among those people who list medical expense as their reason for filing, 78% had insurance. 60.8% of those insured had private medical insurance, as opposed to Medicare or Medicaid. What do these numbers tell us? It tells us that there often isn’t enough insurance coverage when a medical tragedy strikes a family. It also tells us that hundreds of people get injured every day in auto crashes. The above information isn’t meant to scare you—it should instead motivate you to take action to protect your family and yourself, in case of a car crash. You can do this by purchasing the right amount of auto insurance coverage. …

Many people get a great deal of enjoyment out of their timeshares. They like returning to a familiar location, and having all the comforts of home with none of the maintenance concerns. However, there are a number of people who encounter unanticipated difficulties and come to regret purchasing their timeshare. There are a rising number of scams targeting these unhappy timeshare owners. Here are some factors to consider before purchasing a timeshare, as well as some tips for current timeshare owners, to avoid falling victim to a scam. …

First time fathers and mothers are sometimes surprised to learn the legal actions required to establish legal fatherhood or paternity in the state of Wisconsin. How paternity is established depends upon the martial status and age of the parents.

If the father and mother are married at the time the child is born:

It is legally assumed that the child is the biological child of the married couple and both parents have all the rights and responsibilities to care for and provide financial support for the child. …

In light of recent graduations, many child support obligors assume that their child support payments will automatically reduce upon their child’s graduation. However, if there are other children in the family still eligible for child support, the amount of child support will remain in effect unless the child support order provides for an automatic reduction due to emancipation, or the obligor brings a motion for modification. …