Nothing stays the same forever; the only constant is change. The same can be said when it comes to divorce decrees and the decisions that they contain. In Wisconsin, a divorce decree will include all of the information that is needed to settle a divorce, such as how property is being divided, how child custody has been determined, and whether or not spousal maintenance or child support is relevant for the case. As everyone knows, circumstances can change over time, and what may have been right when the divorce was finalized may not be appropriate for current or future situations. In scenarios such as these, you may need to modify your Wisconsin divorce decree.

Time Requirements For Modifications

It is important to know that you cannot change elements of your divorce decree just because you want to or because you do not like them. You actually need a valid reason to modify your decree, and even then, there are certain things you typically cannot change, such as property division.

Thanksgiving is upon us, with Christmas following soon after. Holiday get-togethers are a time for family and friends to gather and spend time with one another. It is not uncommon for adults to drink alcohol during these festive gatherings, but drinking too much and getting behind the wheel can result in criminal charges for those who choose to do so. Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are notorious for having staggering statistics on DUI-related traffic accidents, many of which turn out to be deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 800 people died in alcohol-related car crashes during Thanksgiving holidays between 2013 and 2017. If you plan on drinking this holiday season, here are a few things you can do to prevent a serious and costly Wisconsin OWI charge:

1. Be smart about how you drink. If you plan on driving home after a holiday party, and you also plan on having a drink or two while you are there, you need to be responsible about your drinking habits. Always make sure you eat a decent meal before you start drinking. Drinking on an empty stomach not only enhances the effects of alcohol, but it also makes your body absorb the alcohol faster, meaning your BAC will be higher in less time than usual. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water and stop drinking at least one hour before you plan to leave.

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When it comes to driving under the influence (DUI) laws in Wisconsin, things can get rather confusing. Wisconsin refers to the offense as Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). The state has some of the most lenient OWI laws in the country, especially for a first-time OWI offense. If you are convicted of OWI in Wisconsin, and you have no prior OWI convictions or arrests, you do not actually face a criminal charge; rather, you face a civil penalty or the equivalent of a traffic ticket. That can all change, however, if your first-time OWI charge involves the great bodily harm or death of another person.

OWI With Great Bodily Harm

Even if you have never before been convicted or arrested for drunk driving in Wisconsin, an OWI charge alleging that you caused great bodily harm to another person is a very serious charge with stiff penalties. You can face OWI charges with great bodily harm if your BAC was over 0.08, if you had a detectable amount of an illicit drug in your system, or even if an officer found you to be under the influence and impaired.

Causing great bodily harm to another person while driving under the influence is classified as a Class F felony in Wisconsin. This means you may face fines of up to $25,000. You can also face up to 12.5 years in prison, a two-year driver’s license revocation, and a requirement for an ignition interlock device (IID). 

Getting into trouble with the law for any reason can be a particularly scary and anxiety-inducing experience. When you are accused of operating a vehicle while under the influence (OWI) of drugs or alcohol, this can be especially scary, because there are so many uncertainties that come with those charges. In Wisconsin, not only do you face expensive fines and surcharges for a first-time OWI offense, but your driver’s license can be suspended. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could face serious criminal charges with harsh consequences. Below are a few of the most commonly asked questions about Wisconsin OWI charges:

Will I Lose My Driver’s License?

If you are arrested because an officer suspected that you were driving while intoxicated, you will be asked to submit to a chemical test so the officer can determine your blood alcohol content (BAC). If your BAC result shows that you are legally intoxicated, the officer will give you a Notice of Intent to Suspend, which is informing you that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will suspend your driver’s license after 30 days. You can contest this suspension within 10 days of your arrest; otherwise, your license will automatically be suspended for at least six months.

The winter holiday season is well on its way, but this can be a difficult time of year for some people, especially if they have just gone through or are currently going through a divorce. Your first Christmas after your divorce can be one of the toughest periods you will experience, especially if you have children. Everyone wants their children to have a happy and cheerful upbringing with fond childhood memories, but that can seem like a pipe dream when you are in the midst of a divorce. It is important to remember that just because your first holiday after a divorce may not seem very festive, it does get easier. Here are a few tips to help you celebrate the holidays amidst and after your divorce:

Rethink Your Mindset

It can be saddening to think that your whole family will not be together for the holidays any longer, but that does not mean you cannot have a good time. Even if you do not see your children on specific holidays, you can still make the day meaningful. For example, if you are alone on Thanksgiving, consider volunteering at a soup kitchen to make someone else’s day better. Having a nice holiday is all about how you look at it.