If this is your first holiday season after divorce, give yourself a round of applause. Perhaps it has not been easy, but you are getting through it. Now that the new year is right around the corner, it is a good time for some self-reflection and introspection. 

We often get so caught up with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we forget to stop and reflect on our actions, behavior, and goals. The start of a new year gives us that chance, and after a divorce, it can be especially helpful. 

Getting a call from the police department is rarely fun. When that call from the police is to inform you they have your teenager in custody, it can be devastating. 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol is the most widely used drug among teenagers, even though it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol. Though underage DUI incidents have decreased over the past few years, it is still a problem with serious consequences.

One of the first questions that typically crosses your mind when you begin the divorce process is, “Who gets what?” During your marriage, you and your spouse likely acquired a lot of assets and debts, which all must be divided before you can finalize your divorce. 

Wisconsin courts allow you and your spouse to reach a mutual agreement about property division, either by negotiation through your respective attorneys or through a divorce mediator. If you cannot reach an agreement together for your divorce decree, a judge will intervene and base decisions on state laws and consideration of a number of factors.

When you become injured or disabled and are unable to work, it can put tremendous stress on you and your family. Fortunately, the United States government has programs in place to help those who cannot work due to short- or long-term disability. 

One example is the Social Security disability insurance benefits program. This is designed to help individuals who previously worked but developed a medical condition or injury that limits their ability to work. You can apply for disability benefits to be paid to you and certain members of your family. Unfortunately, many people who submit Social Security benefit applications are unfairly denied. If you get a denial on your Social Security benefits claim, there are steps you can take, and with the help of a disability claims lawyer, there is a good chance you can get the decision reversed.

There are multiple ways you can be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin, and all of them have serious consequences. You be charged with OWI if your blood-alcohol content is more than .08, if you have a detectable amount of an intoxicant or restricted controlled substance in your blood, or if you are under the influence of any drug or controlled substance.

It is never a good idea to get behind the wheel if you have had too much alcohol, or if you have taken illegal or prescription drugs that can negatively impact your ability to drive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported about 32 percent of all fatal Wisconsin traffic accidents in 2016 were alcohol-related. 

If you are convicted of an OWI, you may face a lengthy license suspension or revocation. You could offset that inconvenience with an occupational license. Here are the details: