WILLS AND TRUSTS
 
Clients are concerned with the preservation of hard-earned assets and with the planning of their estates, including tax issues, to provide for the needs of their spouses, children, grandchildren or favorite charities. We advise business executives, owners of family businesses and other individuals about these important issues and draft the documents -- wills and trusts -- needed to accomplish our clients' personal goals.
 

 
MARITAL PROPERTY LAW
 
Our attorneys assist clients in understanding the complicated Wisconsin marital property laws and prepare marital property agreements, prenuptial agreements and other documents that spell out how these property rights and obligations will be handled during a marriage or at the end of a marriage due to divorce or death.
 

 
PRE- AND POST-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
 
Ownership and control of assets are impacted by various state and federal laws. Individuals with significant wealth or individuals entering into second marriages need to clarify ownership rights through pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Such agreements help to determine ownership rights in the event of divorce or death. Our attorneys advise clients and draft the appropriate agreements.
 

 
PROBATE LAW
 
During the probate of an estate, handled by the firm’s attorneys in specialized branches of state circuit court, assets of a deceased person are inventoried and collected, creditors' claims and tax obligations are reviewed and paid, and the distribution of funds to spouses, children, other relatives, charities and trusts are made according to the deceased's pre-death plan [the will or trust] or by state law, if the person died without a will.
 

 
WILL CONTESTS
 
Sometimes people seek to set aside a will because they believe the person executing the will was not competent or was subject to improper influence. Our probate attorneys are experienced in drafting wills to prevent such claims and, with the firm's trial lawyers, defend estates against such claims.
 

 
BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANNING
 
In small, closely-held businesses, particularly those that are family-owned, insuring smooth transitions from one generation of ownership to the next is vitally important to continued success. We advise clients about business planning needs, including tax and estate plan issues.
 

 
HEALTH CARE INSTRUCTIONS AND FINANCIAL DIRECTIVES
 
Decisions about what health care should be given in potential life-ending situations is an important aspect of personal planning. This decision is one that should be made by the person affected before the situation arises. A health care power of attorney, empowering a trusted relative or friend to put a client's wishes into effect if the client is unable so do so, is one of the documents routinely prepared by our attorneys. We can also assist clients by preparing powers of attorney before an incapacity occurs.