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

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

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%

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

Have you ever considered creating a revocable living trust? If the following apply to you, you might want to reconsider… You want to make things as difficult as possible for your family members upon your death or incapacity. You want your children to fight over your estate when you’re gone. You want a lengthy public

My husband and I just returned from a much-needed vacation to Cozumel, Mexico.  When I considered the steps it took to get us there, it occurred to me that vacation planning is surprisingly similar to estate planning! From considering the type of vacation that made the most sense for our family, to researching options online,

Gray Divorce The frequency of “Gray Divorce” is increasing in Wisconsin.    According to the Washington Post, in the last 25 years, the divorce rate for couples over 50 years old has doubled.  The rate for those over 65 has more than doubled.  As a Wisconsin divorce lawyer, I have noticed the changing demographic of my

I am often asked whether an estate plan is truly necessary, especially for those who feel they are too young to be concerned about death, incapacity or taxes.  In my professional opinion, unless you can guarantee that you are not going to die or become incapacitated anytime soon, then yes, you do need an estate

Estate planning truly is the ultimate gift for your loved ones, and a comprehensive estate plan should always include a review of the titles and beneficiary designations for all assets to ensure they are consistent with your estate planning objectives. Otherwise, unintended consequences may ensue. Real estate, in particular, can be the cause of serious family conflict

Estate planning truly is the ultimate gift for your loved ones, and a comprehensive estate plan should always include a review of the titles and beneficiary designations for all assets to ensure they are consistent with your estate planning objectives. Otherwise, unintended consequences may ensue. The manner in which your assets are held will determine whether or

My grandparents’ home in San Antonio, Texas was beautiful and mysterious, and was also one of the most uncomfortable places for a young child. Surrounded by irreplaceable artwork and collections from around the world, I learned from an early age not to touch anything. The only exceptions to this rule were two brass turtle hotel

Buying a home can be one of the happiest, most exciting days of your life!  It can also be one of the most stressful! And if the proper pieces aren’t in place, chances are your big day is going to be filled with anxiety and uncertainty. So how can you make sure your closing is a

If you are the parent of minor children, then having a will in place is essential. In addition to designating guardians for your children and naming a personal representative (a/k/a “executor”), your will also sets forth the disposition of your estate upon your death and should include the creation of testamentary trusts to ensure your

The most common estate planning document used by married couples is affectionately referred to by estate planning attorneys as the “I Love You” Will. Within this type of will, each spouse leaves all assets to the surviving spouse upon the first death, then to the couple’s joint children upon the second death. Provided you and

If you are the parent of a minor child or minor children, having a will in place is essential. With a properly drafted will, you can accomplish all of the following: Name a Guardian 1. Your will designates your preference for guardians of your minor children. Name a Personal Representative 2. Your will names a

The Attorneys and staff at Horn & Johnsen SC know that our pets are friends, companions and family rather than property. >Unfortunately, Wisconsin law views our pets as property. The bottom line is: without written instructions of your wishes, your “property” can be legally destroyed. Every hour of everyday 50 companion animals are euthanized in

Over the years, I have received many questions from clients and others regarding estates. A very common question is, “Who will be responsible for the debts of my parents when they are gone?” This question is most concerning when you become aware that your parent(s) do not have sufficient assets of their own to pay

Clients and prospective clients often ask me about legal options available so that they might qualify for Medical Assistance in the event they need nursing home care at some time in the future. Some suggest gifting to their children during their lifetimes while others suggest establishing an irrevocable trust known as a “Medical Assistance” trust

There can be many benefits to creating a Limited Liability Company, whether you own an apartment complex, have a consulting business or are selling cupcakes. With a properly organized and managed LLC, you can protect your personal assets from the debts, obligations, and potential lawsuits of your business. In addition, a Limited Liability Company can

Many individuals, whether young or old, are receiving valuable public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medical Assistance. Anyone who has gone through the qualification process for these types of entitlement programs is well aware that the application process alone can be a nightmare!   Sometimes, a well-meaning relative will leave an inheritance

In Wisconsin, I have many clients who own a family vacation home “Up North”.  In fact, within my own family, we have a lovely cabin in Vilas County where we spend many relaxing holiday weekends together.  Therefore, I personally understand the importance of planning to ensure a treasured family cabin can remain within the family

What will happen to Fluffy or Benji upon your death? One would hope that a family member or other loved one would agree to care for your pet and expect nothing in return. After all, anyone who knows you fully appreciates that your pet is not just an item of personal property, but a member

Providing Divorce Protection for Your Children Despite the fact that the Baby Boomer generation has seen high divorce rates, my experience has been that parents of Baby Boomers generally did not wish to discuss divorce protection for their children and grandchildren.  Times have changed… Most people now acknowledge that divorce is a common occurrence.  Therefore, why