AB75: Bill Text

AB75,1595,18 (2) Value of share. (intro.) The value of the share under sub. (1) is the value of the share that the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner would have received had the testator died with an intestate estate equal to the value of the testator's net estate, but the value of the net estate shall first be reduced by the value of all of the following:

AB75,1595,22 (a) All devises to or for the benefit of the testator's children who were born before the marriage to the surviving spouse or the domestic partnership with the surviving domestic partner and who are not also the children of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner.

AB75,1595,25 (3) (a) It appears from the will or other evidence that the will was made in contemplation of the testator's marriage to the surviving spouse or domestic partnership with the surviving domestic partner.

AB75,1596,4 (b) It appears from the will or other evidence that the will is intended to be effective notwithstanding any subsequent marriage or domestic partnership, or there is sufficient evidence that the testator considered revising the will after marriage or domestic partnership but decided not to.

AB75,1596,6 (4) (a) Amounts received by the surviving spouse under s. 861.02 and devises made by will to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner are applied first.

AB75, s. 3252 Section 3252. 854.15 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1596,9 854.15 (title) Revocation of provisions in favor of former spouse or former domestic partner.

AB75, s. 3253 Section 3253. 854.15 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 854.15 (1) (b) (intro.) and amended to read:

AB75,1596,13 854.15 (1) (b) (intro.) "Divorce, annulment or similar event" means any of the following:

AB75,1596,15 1. A divorce, any annulment, or any other event or proceeding that would exclude a spouse as a surviving spouse under s. 851.30.

AB75, s. 3254 Section 3254. 854.15 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

AB75,1596,19 854.15 (1) (b) 2. A termination of a domestic partnership or other event or proceeding that would exclude a person as a surviving domestic partner under s. 851.295.

AB75, s. 3255 Section 3255. 854.15 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1596,23 854.15 (1) (c) "Former spouse" means a person whose marriage to the decedent or domestic partnership with the decedent has been the subject of a divorce, annulment or similar event.

AB75, s. 3256 Section 3256. 854.15 (5) (am) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1597,2 854.15 (5) (am) 5. The decedent and the former spouse have remarried or entered into a new domestic partnership before the death of the decedent.

AB75, s. 3257 Section 3257. 859.25 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1597,5 859.25 (1) (g) Property assigned to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner under s. 861.41.

AB75, s. 3258 Section 3258. 861.21 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1597,8 861.21 (title) Assignment of home to surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner.

AB75, s. 3259 Section 3259. 861.21 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1597,19 861.21 (1) (b) "Home" means any dwelling in which the decedent had an interest and that at the time of the decedent's death the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner occupies or intends to occupy. If there are several such dwellings, any one may be designated by the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner. "Home" includes a house, a mobile home, a manufactured home, a duplex or multiple apartment building one unit of which is occupied by the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and a building used in part for a dwelling and in part for commercial or business purposes. "Home" includes all of the surrounding land, unless the court sets off part of the land as severable from the remaining land under sub. (5).

AB75, s. 3260 Section 3260. 861.21 (2), (4) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB75,1598,4 861.21 (2) Decedent's property interest in home. Subject to subs. (4) and (5), if a married or domestic partnership decedent has a property interest in a home, the decedent's entire interest in the home shall be assigned to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner if the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner petitions the court requesting such a distribution and if a governing instrument does not provide a specific transfer of the decedent's interest in the home to someone other than the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner. The surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner shall file the petition within 6 months after the decedent's death, unless the court extends the time for filing.

AB75,1598,14 (4) Payment by surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner. The court shall assign the interest in the home under sub. (2) to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner upon payment of the value of the decedent's interest in the home that does not pass to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner under intestacy or under a governing instrument. Payment shall be made to the fiduciary holding title to the interest. The surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may use assets due him or her from the fiduciary to satisfy all or part of the payment in kind. Unless the court extends the time, the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner shall have one year from the decedent's death to pay the value of the assigned interest.

AB75,1598,21 (5) Severance of home from surrounding land. On petition of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner or of any interested person that part of the land is not necessary for dwelling purposes and that it would be inappropriate to assign all of the surrounding land as the home under sub. (2), the court may set off for the home as much of the land as is necessary for a dwelling. In determining how much land should be set off, the court shall take into account the use and marketability of the parcels set off as the home and the remaining land.

AB75, s. 3261 Section 3261. 861.31 (1m), (2) and (4) (intro.) and (b) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB75,1599,5 861.31 (1m) The court may, without notice or on such notice as the court directs, order payment by the personal representative or special administrator of an allowance as the court determines necessary or appropriate for the support of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and any minor children of the decedent during the administration of the estate. The court shall consider the size of the probate estate, other resources available for support, the existing standard of living, and any other factors it considers relevant.

AB75,1599,12 (2) The court may order that an allowance be made to the spouse or surviving domestic partner for support of the spouse or surviving domestic partner and any minor children of the decedent, or that separate allowances be made to the spouse or surviving domestic partner and to the minor children of the decedent or their guardian, if any, if the court finds separate allowances advisable. If there is no surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, the court may order that an allowance be made to the minor children of the decedent or to their guardian, if any.

AB75,1599,19 (4) (intro.) The court may order that the allowance be charged against income or principal, either as an advance or otherwise, but the court may not order that an allowance for support of minor children of the decedent be charged against the income or principal interest of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner. The court may order that the allowance for support of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, not including any allowance for support of minor children of the decedent, be applied in satisfaction of any of the following:

AB75,1599,21 (b) Any right of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner to elect under s. 861.02.

AB75, s. 3262 Section 3262. 861.33 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1599,24 861.33 (title) Selection of personalty by surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner.

AB75, s. 3263 Section 3263. 861.33 (1) (a) (intro.) and 1. and (b) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB75,1600,6 861.33 (1) (a) (intro.) Subject to this section, in addition to all allowances and distributions, the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may file with the court a written selection of the following personal property, which shall then be transferred to the spouse or domestic partner by the personal representative:

AB75,1600,8 1. Wearing apparel and jewelry held for personal use by the decedent or the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner;

AB75,1600,14 (b) The selection in par. (a) may not include items specifically bequeathed except that the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may in every case select the normal household furniture, furnishings, and appliances necessary to maintain the home. For this purpose antiques, family heirlooms, and collections that are specifically bequeathed are not classifiable as normal household furniture or furnishings.

AB75, s. 3264 Section 3264. 861.35 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1600,17 861.35 (title) Special allowance for support of spouse or domestic partner and support and education of minor children.

AB75, s. 3265 Section 3265. 861.35 (1m), (2), (3) (a) and (4) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB75,1601,2 861.35 (1m) If the decedent is survived by a spouse , domestic partner, or by minor children, the court may order an allowance for the support and education of each minor child until he or she reaches a specified age, not to exceed 18, and for the support of the spouse or domestic partner. This allowance may be made whether the estate is testate or intestate. If the decedent is not survived by a spouse or domestic partner, the court also may allot directly to the minor children household furniture, furnishings, and appliances. The court may not order an allowance under this section if any of the following applies:

AB75,1601,5 (a) The decedent has amply provided for each minor child and for the spouse or domestic partner by the transfer of probate or nonprobate assets, or support and education have been provided for by any other means.

AB75,1601,8 (b) In the case of minor children, the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is legally responsible for support and education and has ample means to provide them in addition to his or her own support.

AB75,1601,10 (c) In the case of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, he or she has ample means to provide for his or her support.

AB75,1601,18 (2) The court may set aside property to provide an allowance and may appoint a trustee to administer the property, subject to the continuing jurisdiction of the court. If a child dies or reaches the age of 18, or if at any time the property held by the trustee is no longer required for the support of the spouse or domestic partner or the support and education of the minor child, any remaining property is to be distributed by the trustee as the court orders in accordance with the terms of the decedent's will or to the heirs of the decedent in intestacy or to satisfy unpaid claims of the decedent's estate.

AB75,1601,21 (3) (a) The effect on claims under s. 859.25. The court shall balance the needs of the spouse, domestic partner, or minor children against the nature of the creditors' claims in setting the amount allowed under this section.

AB75,1601,24 (4) The court may order that the allowance to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, not including any allowance for the support and education of minor children, be applied in satisfaction of any of the following:

AB75,1602,2 (a) Any entitlement of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner under s. 853.12.

AB75,1602,4 (b) Any right of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner to elect under s. 861.02 (1).

AB75, s. 3266 Section 3266. 861.41 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1602,14 861.41 Exemption of property to be assigned to surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner. (1) After the amount of claims against the estate has been ascertained, the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may petition the court to set aside as exempt from the claims of creditors under s. 859.25 (1) (h) an amount of property reasonably necessary for the support of the spouse or domestic partner, not to exceed $10,000 in value, if it appears that the assets are insufficient to pay all claims and allowances and still leave the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner such an amount of property in addition to selection and allowances.

AB75,1602,19 (2) The court shall grant the petition if it determines that an assignment ahead of creditors is reasonably necessary for the support of the spouse or domestic partner. In determining the necessity and the amount of property to be assigned, the court must take into consideration the availability of a home to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and all other assets and resources available for support.

AB75, s. 3267 Section 3267. 867.01 (1) (b) and (3) (f) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB75,1602,23 867.01 (1) (b) Whenever the estate, less the amount of the debts for which any property in the estate is security, does not exceed $50,000 in value and the decedent is survived by a spouse or domestic partner, or one or more minor children or both.

AB75,1603,15 (3) (f) Order. If the court is satisfied that the estate may be settled under this section, after 30 days have elapsed since notice to the department of health services under par. (d), if that notice is required, the court shall assign the property to the persons entitled to it. If the estate may be settled under sub. (1) (b), any property not otherwise assigned shall be assigned to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, or minor children or both as an allowance under s. 861.31. The court shall order any person indebted to or holding money or other property of the decedent to pay the indebtedness or deliver the property to the persons found to be entitled to receive it. The court shall order the transfer of interests in real estate, stocks or bonds registered in the name of the decedent, the title of a licensed motor vehicle, or any other form of property. If the decedent immediately prior to death had an estate for life or an interest as a joint tenant in any property in regard to which a certificate of termination in accordance with s. 867.04 has not been issued, the order shall set forth the termination of that life estate or the right of survivorship of any joint tenant. Every tract of real property in which an interest is assigned or terminated or which is security for a debt in which an interest is assigned or terminated shall be specifically described.

AB75, s. 3268 Section 3268 . 885.237 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1603,24 885.237 (2) Notwithstanding s. 341.04, the fact that an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less is located on a highway, as defined in s. 340.01 (22), and is not displaying valid a registration plates plate, a temporary operation plate, or other evidence of registration as provided under s. 341.18 (1) is prima facie evidence, for purposes of ch. 341, that the vehicle is an unregistered or improperly registered vehicle. This subsection does not apply to violations of ordinances enacted under s. 341.65, but this subsection does apply to violations of ordinances enacted under s. 341.65, 2003 stats.

AB75, s. 3269 Section 3269. 895.04 (2) and (6) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB75,1604,24 895.04 (2) If the deceased leaves surviving a spouse or domestic partner under ch.770, and domestic partner under s. 770.05, and minor children under 18 years of age with whose support the deceased was legally charged, the court before whom the action is pending, or if no action is pending, any court of record, in recognition of the duty and responsibility of a parent to support minor children, shall determine the amount, if any, to be set aside for the protection of such children after considering the age of such children, the amount involved, the capacity and integrity of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, and any other facts or information it may have or receive, and such amount may be impressed by creation of an appropriate lien in favor of such children or otherwise protected as circumstances may warrant, but such amount shall not be in excess of 50% of the net amount received after deduction of costs of collection. If there are no such surviving minor children, the amount recovered shall belong and be paid to the spouse or domestic partner of the deceased; if no spouse or domestic partner survives, to the deceased's lineal heirs as determined by s. 852.01; if no lineal heirs survive, to the deceased's brothers and sisters. If any such relative dies before judgment in the action, the relative next in order shall be entitled to recover for the wrongful death. A surviving nonresident alien spouse or a nonresident alien domestic partner under ch. 770 and minor children shall be entitled to the benefits of this section. In cases subject to s. 102.29 this subsection shall apply only to the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner's interest in the amount recovered. If the amount allocated to any child under this subsection is less than $10,000, s. 807.10 may be applied. Every settlement in wrongful death cases in which the deceased leaves minor children under 18 years of age shall be void unless approved by a court of record authorized to act hereunder.

AB75,1605,6 (6) Where the wrongful death of a person creates a cause of action in favor of the decedent's estate and also a cause of action in favor of a spouse , domestic partner under ch. 770, or relatives as provided in this section, such spouse, domestic partner, or relatives may waive and satisfy the estate's cause of action in connection with or as part of a settlement and discharge of the cause of action of the spouse, domestic partner, or relatives.

AB75, s. 3270 Section 3270. 895.045 (1) (title) of the statutes is repealed.

AB75, s. 3271 Section 3271. 895.045 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 895.045 and amended to read:

AB75,1605,23 895.045 Contributory negligence. Contributory negligence does not bar recovery in an action by any person or the person's legal representative to recover damages for negligence resulting in death or in injury to the person or property, if that negligence was not greater than the combined negligence of all of the person persons against whom recovery is sought, but any damages allowed shall be diminished in the proportion to the amount of negligence attributed to the person recovering. The negligence of the plaintiff shall be measured separately against the negligence of each person found to be causally negligent. The liability of each person found to be causally negligent whose percentage of causal negligence is less than 51% is limited to the percentage of the total causal negligence attributed to that person. A person found to be causally negligent whose percentage of causal negligence is 51% or more Any person found to be causally negligent whose percentage of causal negligence is equal to or greater than the negligence of the person recovering shall be jointly and severally liable for the damages allowed.

AB75, s. 3272 Section 3272. 895.045 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

AB75, s. 3273 Section 3273. 895.485 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1606,2 895.485 (title) Civil liability exemption; agencies, foster parents, treatment foster parents and family-operated group home parents.

AB75, s. 3274 Section 3274. 895.485 (1) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

AB75, s. 3275 Section 3275. 895.485 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1606,7 895.485 (2) (intro.) Except as provided in ss. 167.10 (7) and 343.15 (2), any foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent licensed under s. 48.62 or 48.625 is immune from civil liability for any of the following:

AB75, s. 3276 Section 3276. 895.485 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1606,11 895.485 (2) (a) An act or omission of the foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent while that parent is acting in his or her capacity as a foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent.

AB75, s. 3277 Section 3277. 895.485 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1606,15 895.485 (2) (b) An act or omission of a child who is placed in a foster home, treatment foster home or family-operated group home while the child is in the foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent's care.

AB75, s. 3278 Section 3278. 895.485 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1607,2 895.485 (3) The immunity specified in sub. (2) does not apply if the act or omission of a foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent was not done in good faith or was not in compliance with any written instructions, received from the agency that placed the child, regarding specific care and supervision of the child. The good faith of a foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent and the compliance of the foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent with any written instructions received from the agency that placed the child are presumed in a civil action. Any person who asserts that a foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent did not act in good faith, or did not comply with written instructions received from the agency that placed the child, has the burden of proving that assertion.

AB75, s. 3279 Section 3279. 895.485 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1607,7 895.485 (4) (intro.) Any agency that acts in good faith in placing a child with a foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent is immune from civil liability for any act or omission of the agency, the foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent, or the child unless all of the following occur:

AB75, s. 3280 Section 3280. 895.485 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1607,15 895.485 (4) (a) The agency has failed to provide the foster, treatment foster. or family-operated group home parent with any information relating to a medical, physical, mental, or emotional condition of the child that it is required to disclose under this paragraph. The department of children and families shall promulgate rules specifying the kind of information that an agency shall disclose to a foster, treatment foster, or family-operated group home parent which that relates to a medical, physical, mental, or emotional condition of the child.

AB75, s. 3281 Section 3281. 895.55 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1607,22 895.55 (2) (intro.) Notwithstanding any provision of s. 93.57, 299.11, 299.13, 299.31, 299.43, 299.45, 299.51, 299.53 or 299.55, subchs. II and IV of ch. 30, ch. 29, 166, 281, 283, 289, 291 or 292 or subch. II of ch. 295, or any other provision of this chapter, a person is immune from liability for damages resulting from the person's acts or omissions and for the removal costs resulting from the person's acts or omissions if all of the following conditions are met:

AB75, s. 3282 Section 3282. 895.56 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1608,3 895.56 (2) (a) The acts or omissions by the person occurred while performing a contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2) or (2m), including acts or omissions by any person who has a direct contractual relationship with the prime contractor, as defined in s. 779.01 (2) (d), under a contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2) or (2m) to perform labor or furnish materials.

AB75, s. 3283 Section 3283. 895.56 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1608,9 895.56 (2) (c) The acts or omissions involving petroleum-contaminated soil on the property were required by reasonably precise specifications in the contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2) or (2m), and the acts or omissions conformed to those specifications, or were otherwise directed by the department of transportation or by the department of natural resources.

AB75, s. 3284 Section 3284. 905.05 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,1608,11 905.05 (title) Husband-wife and domestic partner privilege.

AB75, s. 3285 Section 3285. 905.05 (1), (2) and (3) (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB75,1608,18 905.05 (1) General rule of privilege. A person has a privilege to prevent the person's spouse or former spouse or domestic partner or former domestic partner from testifying against the person as to any private communication by one to the other made during their marriage or domestic partnership. As used in this section, "domestic partner" means a domestic partner under ch. 770.