Ending a marriage is a big step for any couple, but this is especially true for couples who have been together for years. Even if you know that your marriage is not working and that neither of you is particularly happy, you may not be ready to officially divorce. Perhaps, for financial reasons, you cannot afford to divorce your spouse, but you know you cannot stay married either. Or maybe, unbeknownst to you, your spouse was actually married to another person when you got married to him or her. In situations such as these, it may be worth looking into other options for your marriage. Wisconsin recognizes three separate actions for dealing with legal marital issues: annulment, legal separation, and divorce. Although they are fairly similar, they do have separate requirements and outcomes. 

Annulment

If you have your marriage annulled, you are asking to have your marriage legally erased, as if it never happened. Annulment is a process that is only done in very limited circumstances. To get an annulment, you must meet at least one requirement outlined in Wisconsin’s laws. Grounds that qualify for annulment include:

• You or your spouse lacked the capacity to consent to the marriage as a result of mental illness, intellectual disability, drug or alcohol use, or through the use of force or duress.

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There are very few crimes in the United States that could be accurately described as victimless. Most of the time, crimes that are committed will affect someone in some way, shape, or form. When it comes to a crime such as driving while under the influence of alcohol, also known in Wisconsin as OWI, there often are personal injury victims. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 10,500 alcohol-related traffic deaths across the country in 2018 and many more alcohol-related injury- or damage-only crashes. Accidents involving drunk drivers are often traumatic for the victim, which is why the victim has the right to pursue compensation from the offender.

Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When you get into a car accident with another person, you have a right to pursue compensation for damages that you may have sustained. This is true in Wisconsin, especially if you were in a collision with an intoxicated driver. Wisconsin operates on a system of comparative negligence when it comes to motor vehicle crashes. This means all parties involved have the potential to be partially at fault for the accident. As long as you were not found to be more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, you can pursue damages.

In recent years, the number of gun-related injuries and accidents reported has increased significantly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were nearly 40,000 firearm-related deaths in 2018. In Wisconsin alone, there were nearly 600 firearm-related deaths, or approximately 10 deaths for every 100,000 Wisconsin citizens. Because of this, lawmakers across the country have introduced laws that would create extreme risk protection orders for individuals who are likely to commit a crime with their firearms. These laws, also known as “red flag” laws, have been thought to reduce gun crime, but many citizens have objected to these laws, citing an interference of their constitutional rights. It is important to understand what constitutes these violations if you or someone you know is facing any criminal charges.

What Are Red Flag Laws?

Red flag laws, also called extreme risk protection orders, is a legal tool that allows the government to remove firearms from the possession of people who have been found to be at a high risk of committing violence. Currently, 17 states and the District of Columbia have adopted some form of a red flag law. Like gun laws, red flag laws vary by state, but they all tend to have similar elements.

Getting a divorce is an end of what is usually a long and intimate relationship. Many people who go through a breakup or a divorce have difficulty coping with and accepting the end of the union. This can lead them to do things that they normally would not do. Unfortunately, in some divorces involving children, one parent might begin to use the children as a weapon against their spouse. This is known as parental alienation and it can be damaging to both the parent who is being alienated and the children who are being manipulated. If you suspect that your spouse may be alienating you, it is critical that you seek professional legal counsel to make sure your parental rights are protected. 

What Is Parental Alienation?

In many divorces, one spouse is usually more upset about the situation than the other. In these types of situations, one parent may begin to lash out and attempt to hurt the other parent in any way possible. Children are an easy target for hurting the other parent because of their emotional connection. The alienating parent can begin to use the children against the other parent as a form of revenge.  

Wisconsin is a state that has relatively lenient gun laws, especially when compared to other states. In Wisconsin, you do not need to have a permit to own or possess a firearm. As long as you are not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm, and you pass a background check, you can legally carry your firearm in public, as long as it is not hidden from plain view. Once you hide the firearm from plain view, you are considered to be carrying a concealed handgun, which requires a concealed carry weapons (CCW) license.

When it comes to transporting firearms, the rules can become a little vague. Is the interior of a vehicle considered “concealed?” Do you need a permit to transport a firearm? There are certain rules that you must follow to legally transport a firearm in Wisconsin. The rules do vary, however, depending on whether or not you have a CCW. By remaining aware of how the laws apply to you, you can avoid any potential weapons charges.

Transporting a Gun With a CCW License

According to Wisconsin laws, residents who legally possess a CCW license can carry a loaded and concealed handgun in their vehicle. However, rifles and shotguns, also known as long guns, have different rules. You are permitted to transport them while they are not in a case, but you are not permitted to conceal them within your vehicle. This means that all rifles and shotguns must be unloaded and in plain view from outside of the vehicle or out of reach of people in the vehicle.