WHEN: Saturday, April 30, 2016, 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: SVA Parking Lot, 18650 West Corporate Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin
COST: FREE
SVA Professional Services, the Better Business Bureau and ProShred are sponsoring ShredFest on Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the SVA Parking Lot, 18650 West Corporate Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin.
What Can I Shred? Bring your old checks, check carbons and registers, bank and credit card statements, custodian statements and financial plans, receipts and junk mail.
How Much Can I Bring? There is a limit of three paper bags of documents (up to 50 pounds of paper). Place items in paper grocery bags rather than cardboard boxes or plastic shopping bags.
Please note: paper products only. Staples, rubber bands and paperclips do not need to be removed. No 3-ring binders, binder clips, hanging files or media products (photos, CDs, floppy disks, tapes, credit card, hard drives, etc.
On April 7, 2016, the Wisconsin Supreme Court published a decision (S.A.M. v. Meister, 2016 WI 22) confirming that grandparents, great-grandparents and stepparents of children with divorced parents may petition for visitation rights whether or not they maintain a “parent-like relationship” with their grandchildren, great-grandchildren or stepchildren. This decision is an important milestone in defining the visitation rights of relatives in divorce cases involving minor children, and embraces the Wisconsin legislature’s gradual expansion of visitation rights over time.
Meister involved the divorce of Nancy and Jay Meister, who received joint legal custody of their four minor children. Nancy was given primary physical placement and soon thereafter began to limit the informal visitations of the children’s paternal grandmother, Carol. In light of these changes, Carol petitioned the court for formal visitation rights. Both the Circuit Court and Court of Appeals found that Carol was not entitled to visitation rights because she did not maintain a “parent-like relationship” with her grandchildren.
However, the Supreme Court reversed, holding that the previous courts had incorrectly interpreted the relevant statute, which reads:
“[U]pon petition by a grandparent, greatgrandparent, stepparent or person who has maintained a relationship similar to a parent-child relationship with the child, the court may grant reasonable visitation rights to that person if the parents have notice of the hearing and if the court determines that visitation is in the best interest of the child.”
Wis. Stat. § 767.43(1). Based on an interpretation of syntax as well as an examination of the statute’s legislative history, the Supreme Court found that the qualifying clause “who has maintained a relationship similar to a parent-child relationship with the child” applies only to persons other than grandparents, great-grandparents and stepparents.
The Supreme Court further held that these statutory visitation rights do not unconstitutionally infringe on a parent’s right to direct the care, custody and control of his or her children. The above-referenced statute still requires courts to determine whether such visitation rights are in the best interest of the children, and as such, a fit parent’s determination of the children’s best interest must be given special weight.
Meister illustrates that the Wisconsin legislature has gradually expanded the number of persons who may petition for visitation rights. Currently, grandparents, great-grandparents and stepparents may petition for such rights, as well as other persons who have “maintained a relationship similar to a parent-child relationship with the child.” A grandparent, great-grandparent, or stepparent does not need to prove the existence of a parent-child relationship in order to secure visitation rights under Wis. Stat. § 767.43(1).
If you have any questions feel free to contact www.vhdlaw.com to schedule a free consultation to meet with an attorney.
Although it is difficult to predict the total amount of your divorce attorney fees, the following are some of the factors that impact the total cost:
Whether custody and placement are in dispute
Whether your divorce presents any novel legal questions
Whether a pension plan(s) is subject to division
Whether there is a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement between the parties
Whether either of the parties have received gifted or inherited property, and whether or not that property has been commingled
Whether you and/or your spouse have a premarital interest in property or debt
The nature and number of the issues contested
The cooperation of your spouse and opposing counsel
The frequency of your communication with your attorney
The ability of you and your spouse to communicate with each other
The promptness with which information is provided and/or exchanged between both you and your spouse and the attorneys
Whether there are litigation costs, such as fees for expert witnesses or court reporters
The extent of discovery
The hourly rate of the attorney
Reviewing regular invoices from your divorce/family law attorney and communicating with your attorney about any questions or concerns will help keep you on track with the overall cost of your divorce.
