What are “Spare Tire” Provisions in a Trust?

spare-tire-provisions-trusts-estate-planning-madison-wi
Well-drafted and comprehensive trusts should contain certain language we often refer to as “spare tire” provisions. For example, you might not have any beneficiaries now who are receiving government benefits based on a disability. Things such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. The reality is that we are all one accident away from disability.
Read more
No Comments

Attorney Dera Johnsen-Tracy Named to the 2017 Wisconsin Rising Stars List

super-lawyers-attorney-madison-wi
A Rising Attorney We are pleased to announce that Attorney Dera Johnsen-Tracy of Horn & Johnsen SC has been selected to the 2017 Wisconsin Rising Stars list (this is her second year in a row). This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state. Super Lawyers, part
Read more
No Comments

Guest Blog: A Transition Therapist Can Help with the Uncertainty of an Aging Parent

transition-therapy
In the simplest of terms, transitions are difficult because we unconsciously or even consciously resist change, which involves adjustments that we are not prepared to encounter. We will all face this at some point in our lives. One aspect of transition is the uncertainty with what to do with an aging parent? While aging is
Read more
No Comments

Texas Court Strikes Down Obama Overtime Rule

No change to Fair Labor Standards Act Last week District Court Judge Amos Mazzant in Plano, Texas ruled that recent overtime changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act would not be implemented. You may have heard about this and even been preparing. The changes would have increased the minimum wage for application of the rule
Read more
No Comments

The Dilemma of Jointly Owned Real Estate

The Dilemma of Jointly Owned Real Estate All too often, parents with good intentions leave real estate to multiple children as co-owners. This can be done through lifetime gifting (i.e., through a quit claim deed) or upon death through a transfer on death deed, by will or by trust. Unfortunately, this strategy often creates family
Read more
No Comments

Avoid the Top 5 Mistakes Made by Women Entrepreneurs – 9/26/2017

Attorney Dera Johnsen-Tracy will present “Avoid the Top 5 Mistakes Made by Women Entrepreneurs” on September 26, 2017 at the Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs dinner at the Thirst Goat in Fitchburg. Members and non-members are welcome to attend. For details, or to register, Click Here The post Avoid the Top 5 Mistakes Made by Women Entrepreneurs
Read more
No Comments

Equine Estate Planning: Do you have a plan for your horse?

animal-trust-estate-planning
The Problem Wisconsin law views our horses and other pets/animals as property. Without written instructions of your wishes, no legal protections exist for your “property.” You cannot leave money or property directly to your animal(s), and informal arrangements are not legally enforceable. What’s the solution? Formally incorporate your four-legged family members into your estate plan! Essential Estate
Read more
1 Comment

When is it too late for Estate Planning?

A Trip to Mexico I recently took a trip to central Mexico to visit my parents, who have retired there. While eating breakfast at a restaurant in the Mérida airport upon our arrival my husband asked my 96-year-old grandmother, who was diagnosed several years ago with Alzheimer’s disease and now lives with my parents, “So Mary,
Read more
No Comments

The Brady Bunch: What if Mike and Carol had no Estate Plan?

Many of us grew up watching The Brady Bunch, a popular family sitcom of the late 1960s to early 1970s revolving around a large blended family with 6 children, and many of us can also personally relate to the situation. Statistics show that more than half of all first marriages end in divorce and about 75%
Read more
No Comments

WISCONSIN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE AND ONLINE FORMS DO NOT MIX

Before I start haranguing landlords about the hazards of using online forms, let me start at the beginning of why we have lawyers, laws, and even crazy laws. Lawyers are necessary in this nation of laws. Laws govern collective behavior from how fast you can drive to where you can build a building and whether
Read more
No Comments