- Divorce
- Child SupportIf the parents share placement, the courts will consider the amount of child support mom would pay for the child(ren) for the time the child(ren) are with dad and offset that figure by the amount dad would pay for the time the child(ren) are with mom.
- Child Custody and VisitationWhether you are a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, unmarried couple, or same-sex partner, this section provides information on a variety of family law topics, such as divorce, annulment, child custody, placement, maintenance and support, adoption, paternity, post-judgment modifications, domestic violence cases, and grandparents rights.
- Adoption
- Paternity
- Spousal SupportFormerly called alimony, maintenance is a payment from one spouse to the other. When determining if maintenance should be awarded, the court will consider: the length of the marriage; the age and health of both spouses; the property division; the education of each spouse; the standard of living of each spouse, and the likelihood that each is or can be self-supporting; tax consequences; agreements between the spouses; the contributions of each spouse toward the other or the family; and other factors the court deems relevant. Maintenance can be awarded for a fixed amount of time or indefinitely. You can discuss all of this in more detail with one of our divorce attorneys in Wisconsin.
- Annulment
- Criminal DefenseThis case may have an impact on criminal defendants who have prior OWI convictions. Prior to this case, criminal defense attorneys could collaterally attack those prior convictions and often reap tremendous benefits for their clients. However, this case dramatically lessens that possibility. The heart of the Court’s ruling is that these type of challenges must be raised at the time of the OWI case is prosecuted and cannot be raised after the fact like in Ms. Booth Britton’s case.
- DUI/DWIBeing arrested for drunk driving is a stressful experience that can threaten your job, personal relationships and your freedom. There is a lot of information available to people regarding drunk driving arrests, some of which is helpful, most of which is not. Everyday we are contacted by people who have questions about the legal process or are seeking legal representation on their OWI case. Below is a list of the ten most common myths or misconceptions that I receive about drunk driving cases in Wisconsin.
- Wrongful DeathIn the simplest of terms, federal tort claims are civil claims filed against the U.S. government. seeking compensation for monetary losses caused by bodily injury, wrongful death, and/or property damage or loss resulting from the negligent or wrongful conduct of a federal government agency or employee acting within the scope of their employment or office.
- Traffic Violations
- Sex CrimesOther state laws protect individuals from discrimination in a variety of other circumstances, including education, housing, and receiving or providing services. Examples of other protected classes in the state of Wisconsin include ancestry, source of income, and status as a victim of sexual assault, domestic abuse, or stalking.
- White Collar Crimes
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsAt Lawton Cates, we defend individuals accused of all types of criminal offenses, including drunk driving (operating while intoxicated, or OWI), assault and battery, domestic abuse, drug possession, sex crimes, violent offenses, felonies, and misdemeanors. From our offices located in Jefferson and Madison, our criminal defense attorneys aggressively advocate on behalf of the accused throughout the state of Wisconsin, providing personalized service and custom legal strategies tailored to each individual’s unique situation.
- Embezzlement
- Drug Crimes
- Assault
- Murder
- Homicide
- Manslaughter
- Hit and Run
- Corporate LawWe know just how devastating dog attacks are. We are committed to getting the most money possible in your case. Unlike the impersonal, corporate law firms who treat you like a number, our firm gives you the personal attention you deserve. With our decades of experience, we have the resources, skills, and legal knowledge needed to aggressively advocate for you. When you have questions about your claim, at Lawton Cates, you talk to a lawyer, not an investigator or a legal assistant. We know your case is not just a case, it's your life.
- Business DisputesIn the course of any business, disputes are likely to arise. Although a solid legal foundation can help you avoid unnecessary conflicts, nearly all businesses will face litigation at some point. As a business owner, it is important that you set yourself up for success from the beginning. Preparing for inevitable disagreements can help you effectively meet these challenges when they arise with minimal disruption to your business—and your bottom line. At Lawton Cates, our firm brings extensive experience and total commitment to each and every case. You can depend on us to provide you with a level of skill and comprehensive care that you simply cannot find at any other firm.
- Workers CompensationOur worker's compensation attorneys can also represent you if your employer disputes your claim or if their insurance company refuses to pay you the benefits you are owed.
- Non-compete Agreement
- Premises Liability
- Construction Litigation
- Eminent DomainAt Lawton Cates, our Wisconsin eminent domain attorneys represent clients in condemnation and eminent domain matters. We protect our clients’ rights and ensure that they receive fair and just compensation for their loss of land and/or property rights. This is a highly complex and unique area of law; our team brings more than 63 years of experience to their practice. We know how the law works, and we are here to help.
- Property DamageThe Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), enacted in 1946, outlines the procedure by which individuals, businesses, and even government entities may bring claims for monetary compensation against federal government agencies and employees. Essentially, the Act recognizes the federal government’s liability for damages caused by federal employees’ negligence or wrongful acts or omissions, leading to bodily injury, death, or property damage.
- Personal InjuryIf you are injured by someone else's negligent conduct, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, including your past and future medical bills, lost wages, past and future pain and suffering, loss of consortium, society and companionship, disfigurement and other damages. The team at Lawton Cates have been representing people injured in accidents throughout Wisconsin for over 60 years. We focus on personal injury cases and have the results to prove it.
- Dog BitesDog bites and attacks are traumatic, terrifying events, often leading to catastrophic injury, permanent disfigurement, and even death. Tragically, children are the most common victims of dog attacks. Children under 10 suffer the highest rate of severe injuries following dog bites and attacks.
- Foreclosure
- Debt CollectionConsumer protection laws shield individuals who purchase goods and services against fraudulent, deceptive, and misleading practices. The purpose of these laws is to protect consumers from abuses of power and fraud by commercial enterprises, corporations, financial institutions, debt collection agencies, and other entities. Some consumer protection laws allow us to collect exemplary or punitive damages on behalf of our clients.