Clair Law News and Articles

Jennie Palmer Buckbee

Not Exactly the Edgar Allen Poe “Gravesite Toaster”

Who exactly was the “Poe Toaster”? For over seven decades, an unidentified person paid an annual tribute to American author Edgar Allan Poe by visiting the commemorative stone which marks his original grave in Baltimore, Maryland, in the early hours of January 19th, Poe’s birthday. This stranger would pour a glass of Martell cognac and raise a “toast”. He then arranged three red roses on the monument in a distinctive configuration and departed, leaving the unfinished bottle of cognac.

Clair Law: Reopening for In-Person Appointments and Conferences

Effective Monday, March 1, 2021, we will once again be welcoming clients into our Delavan and Lake Geneva offices for scheduled appointments. Our decision is based, in part, on Walworth County moving to Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan on February 18, 2021.
While we will have most of our client meetings either over the telephone or via Zoom meetings at this time, some cases call for in-person, face-to-face conversations. Together, we will determine which meetings can be held in-person on a case-by-case basis.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Increases Town Control of Lakefront Properties

Wisconsin Supreme Court Increases Town Control of Lakefront Properties

State of Wisconsin ex rel. Michael Anderson v. Town of Newbold

On January 27, 2021, in a 5-2 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the circuit and appellate courts, finding the Town of Newbold had the authority to regulate the division of lakefront property regardless of whether the regulations were more restrictive than the state law.

Estate Planning 2021 and Beyond - Estate Taxes

The combined estate and gift tax exemption for the year 2021 is an astronomical $11,700,000 for individuals. Clair Law wants to make you aware that this combined tax exemption is scheduled to bounce back on January 1, 2026 to the sum of $5 million per individual (with future inflation adjustments). Everything that you own in your name is included in your estate for estate tax. It can include investment accounts, annuities, and life insurance proceeds - in addition to real estate and bank accounts. Additionally, property that you exercise substantial control over will also be included.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision – What the Decision Means for Developers, Homeowners, Conservationists, and Neighbors.

Clair Law is proud of its efforts in the recent 5-1 Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision, Gail Moreschi v. Village of Williams Bay and Town of Linn ETZ Zoning Board of Appeals, William L. Edwards and Suzanne Edwards, 2020 WI 95. The filed written decision can be found at the following link: https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/DisplayDocument.pdf?content=pdf&seqN...

Have you ever seen your house from the sky?!

Last week, Walworth County updated its aerial imagery on the Geographic Information Systems Application, also known as GIS. This online database is not only free, but it provides users interesting information, ranging from current owners of parcels, fair market values for tax purposes, the current and future zoning of an area and so much more.

To access Walworth County’s GIS, click the following link:
https://gisinfo.co.walworth.wi.us/oneview/

Best of Walworth County - Runner Up

Everyone here at Clair Law thanks the people of Walworth County for all of their support in the Best of Walworth County Annual Contest. Although disappointed not to win, we are happy to announce our firm was runner up beating out all of the other law offices in the area. Your backing pushes us to continually strive to provide our clients with the highest level of legal services.

Clair Law Wisconsin Supreme Court Oral Argument

Attorney Chad Pollard has the privilege to argue his client’s case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. In this article we’d like to give our readers an outline of what that means.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the State’s highest court. It consists of 7 Justices. Justices are elected in a statewide non-partisan election. Meaning they run on there own names and merit, not political party affiliation.

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The comments and opinions expressed in the blog are intended for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Reading or using the information in the blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Clair Law Offices, S.C. or any of our attorneys.  The law is constantly changing and therefore the blog may contain dated material. For current law and how it relates to your particular facts and circumstances, consult Clair Law Offices or another qualified attorney licensed in your state.