If you haven’t started your estate plan, now is the perfect time to begin. Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or elderly—it’s a crucial step for anyone who wants to protect their loved ones and their assets. Life can throw surprises your way, and having a comprehensive estate plan helps protect your legacy while […] The post When Should a Person Begin Estate Planning? first appeared on Peterson Berk Cross ..read more

How can you make sure your assets are distributed to your beneficiaries after your death without needing the court to step in? There are a few ways you can accomplish this with help from an experienced Wisconsin estate planning attorney. Payable-on-Death Accounts Payable-on-death accounts are financial accounts for which you have set up beneficiaries. Upon […] The post How Do I Avoid Probate in Wisconsin? first appeared on Peterson Berk Cross ..read more

It may seem like an unusual concept to “calculate” pain and suffering in a personal injury case. While it may seem “cold” or “insensitive”, the purpose of this calculation is actually to your benefit. How so? While many think of calculation and think of algebra or statistics, this is not at all similar. Really, many would argue that pain and suffering are not tangible or able to be explained quantitatively. In fact, they are correct to an extent! It is a very personal, gray, and even qualitative observation of facts that lead to your own experience of how to determine pain and suffering.  ..read more

A car accident is viewed and dealt with under the laws of personal injury, but can be quite a different animal than the standard personal injury case. For one thing, car accidents, even serious ones, are prevalent. Getting into a serious car accident is something that many people will experience in their life if they do not know someone who was in one. In fact, almost 130,000 car crashes occurred just in the state of Wisconsin in 2022. Despite being, for lack of another word, “common,” car accidents can be one of the most distressing things to deal with. While many deal with them themselves, t ..read more

A personal injury case is a marathon – not a sprint. Just like there are checkpoints along the way that tell you where you are in your case, there are certain steps that tell you and your attorney where you are in the process of your “race.” However, just like an actual race, the checkpoint destinations may differ for everyone. Some can complete a marathon quicker and with fewer checkpoints; others must battle to finish! If you’ve been injured, facing the timeline of the litigation process for a personal injury case can feel like a daunting task. Many have expectations of how the “timeline” sh ..read more

Wisconsin residents often underestimate the value of estate planning and the significant savings that come with working with a lawyer. While drafting a will or trust yourself might save you money in the short term, you could be setting yourself up for later financial headaches or costly, lengthy legal disputes among your family when you die. Working with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney might cost a little more upfront, but you’ll likely save money over the long term. Before you hire a Wisconsin estate planning lawyer, you need to understand the potential costs you might face and ..read more

The importance of understanding Wisconsin’s Statute of Limitations for personal injury can be compared to the importance of getting medical help when you’ve suffered a serious injury. If you are in intense pain, would you hesitate to get help? No! In some ways, not understanding the time to file a lawsuit in Wisconsin can cause a different kind of pain and suffering. Time is truly of the essence. But how much time do you actually have, and WHY is it so important? The Statute of Limitations  The statute of limitations in Wisconsin for personal injury claims is three years from the date of ..read more

Learn the ins and outs of a Wisconsin divorce, from filing through the final hearing in a DIY intensive 4-hour workshop with experienced Wisconsin Family Law Attorney Stacy J. Schlemmer of Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. Topics to be covered include options for how to file a divorce, the timeline of a divorce, relevant statutes, divorce pleadings forms with an explanation of how to complete the forms, the importance of language and considerations for real estate, debt, and property division language in your final divorce, tax implications of divorce, how to create a Property Division Workshee ..read more

When many people think about estate planning, the primary thing that comes to their mind is a will. While a will is a crucial aspect of an estate plan, it is important to keep in mind that estate planning in Wisconsin involves far more than drafting a single document. A comprehensive estate plan may include not only the will itself but also trusts, powers of attorney, a living will, health care proxy, and other legal tools. As such, working with an experienced Wisconsin estate planning attorney is essential to ensure you carefully consider each aspect of your plan. What Is a Will? A will ..read more

You have worked hard to build your family, career, and reputation. You’ve always taken charge of what happens and when, and have moved your life in the direction of your dreams. You’re proud of all you’ve accomplished. What happens to everything you’ve created when you pass away? It may be an unpleasant thought, but answering the question can be crucial. You should have a say in what happens when you pass on. At Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., our compassionate Wisconsin estate planning attorneys understand that it can be challenging to confront the inevitable. However, having an estate ..read more