The Milwaukee Post

Post Staff MILWAUKEE — The American Federation for Children, the nation's voice for educational choice, announces the launch of its state affiliate, the Wisconsin Federation for Children. The AFC has been active in Wisconsin, the birthplace of school choice, for a decade and the official launch of its local efforts signifies a renewed commitment in the state, including a push for significant expansion of the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. "Wisconsin's history as an innovator in education refor m provides the perfect foundation for future growth and new opportunities for our kids," said Brian Fraley, communications consultant for the Wisconsin Federation for Children. "We will help lead the push to expand educa- tional options for parents and establish effective accountability measures, to ensure that educational choice becomes even more popular and stronger in the years ahead." The Wisconsin Federation will contin- ue to advocate for school choice at the Capitol and in communities throughout Wisconsin as well as partner with other state and local organizations that share the goal to increase educational options available for Wisconsin families. "The future is bright for continued growth," added Fraley. "Next year we cele- brate a quarter century of school choice in Wisconsin and our recent poll results indicate that the issue could be a differ- ence maker in several key races here this fall." WFC recently polled voters in Wisconsin's swing legislative districts and found that a healthy majority favored school choice. More than six-in-10 respondents (63 percent) favor empowering parents with the right to allow tax dollars associated with the education of their children to fol- low them to the public or private school of their parents' choice. Importantly, 62 per- cent of independent voters favor educa- tional choice, while only 30 percent are opposed. The survey of these districts also found that Gov. Scott Walker, a school choice champion, has a one-point lead over his Democratic challenger, Madison School Board member Mary Burke (47 percent to 46 percent, respectively). Respondents were asked if they favor various educational refor m proposals, including: ■ "Expanding Wisconsin's statewide school choice program so that it would allow any working class Wisconsin parent to use taxpayer dollars to send their child to the public, private or religious school of their choice. The law currently only allows the poorest parents to be in the pro- gram." (60 percent total favor, 33 percent strongly favor, only 32 percent opposed) ■ "Eliminating the cap on Wisconsin's statewide school choice program so that more than 1,000 children can use taxpayer dollars to attend the public, private or reli- gious school of their parents' choice." (56 percent total favor, 35 percent strongly favor, only 38 percent oppose) ■ "Requiring all students in public schools, charter schools, and private schools in the voucher program to take similar academic tests so that the schools can then be graded and held accountable for their performance." (83 percent total favor, 62 percent strongly favor, only 13 percent oppose) ■ "Allowing the University of Wisconsin system and the Technical College system to establish independent charter schools without the approval of local school boards." (49 percent total favor, 20 percent strongly favor, only 36 percent oppose) NMB Research polled 500 likely voters from swing legislative districts in Wisconsin on August 20-21. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.38 percent. More information from the pollster can be found at http://bit.ly/1u45MQn. 16 • Milwaukee County Post • September 26, 2014 Wisconsin Federation for Children announces launch Monday–Friday: 7:30am–5:00pm, Saturday: 7:00am–12:00pm Vietnam Veteran - VFW Member 240093101 Special Rates for Senior Citizens & Veterans We Honor A ll Who Served in the Military. Thank You! Norv's BARBER SHOP 2688 S. 13th St. 384-3380 Cost of Traditional Funeral Services (2 Day Services) with Minimum Steel Casket Joseph E. Sass $3,750 Church and Chapel $4,485 Max A. Sass $5,395 All Above Charges Exclude: Vault, Flowers, Clergy Honorarium, Death Certificate, Medical Examiner, Newspaper & Cemetery Charges Family Owned and Operated Since 1928 1019 W. Oklahoma Ave. www.josephsass.com 414-744-3636 J o s e p h E . Sa ss F UN E R A L H O M E O W N E R N O R M A N S A S S 240093102 Aid and Attendance Benefit Are you a Veteran or a Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who Served during War Time? If you are, you may qualify for this service related pension available to help offset some of the cost of home health care, assisted living, or nursing home expenses. Veterans and their families are encouraged to join us for this presentation given by Jim Duff of the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office to learn more about the financial, medical and military service requirements for you to qualify. Bring along your questions! A light supper will be served and tours will be available. Wednesday, October 15, 2014 6:00 - 7:00 pm RSVP at 414-489-1400 by Friday, October 10th. Senior community 2500 E. Howard Ave., St. Francis, WI 53235 414-489-1400 www.laureategroup.com • No endowment fee 2 4 0 3 1 4 0 1 3 WILLS, TRUSTS, POWERS OF ATTORNEY, PROBATE Pre and post death planning by a professional with over 35 years of experience. Law Offices of Attorney James J. Winiarski 3625 W. Oklahoma Avenue, Milwaukee (414) 383-3902 238976063 - PAID ADVERTISEMENT - LEAVING PART OF YOUR ESTATE TO MINORS Most grandparents want to leave something to their grandchildren. This is a worthy goal. However, everyone needs to understand the problems and limitations of leaving part of your estate to minors. Under Wisconsin law, individuals under the age of 18 are considered minors. Generally speaking, they have limited rights in relation to any property you might leave them. If property is going to pass to a minor by way of a will, Wisconsin requires that a Guardian ad Litem be appointed for any minors. A Guardian ad Litem is a temporary guardian, usually an attorney, who is appointed to represent the minor's interest in the probate proceeding. There are costs associated with appointing a Guardian ad Litem. Also, the courts will be most concerned that any property left to a minor is properly invested until the minor turns 18. The minor will then receive such property and will be able to spend the money any way they want. Many 18 year olds are not going to spend their inheritance wisely. The same concerns exist with naming a minor as a beneficiary of an insurance policy, a retirement account and most other assets. Insurance companies and retirement plan administrators are seldom going to make a payment directly to a minor without a court order or the need for an expensive guardianship proceeding. Some alternatives to leaving property to minors by will, would include custodianship accounts, transfer on death accounts and other banking arrangements whereby the minor is a direct beneficiary. If the amount that is going to be left to a minor is relatively small, a transfer on death account set up with a proper custodian might be the answer. Some individuals want to leave a nominal sum to many different grandchildren. Again, several small bank accounts could be established, one for each grandchild. A living trust is another alternative for leaving property to minors. Naming someone you trust to be trustee of a trust for minors can be an alternative and cheaper way to leaving money to minors than by will. However, living trusts are generally more expensive than wills. There is also the cost of administering the trust after you die. Tax returns for the trust may be necessary. Many grandparents come to my office and state they want the money they leave to their grandchildren to remain in trust until each grandchild reaches a designated age, say 30 years of age. Easy to say, but remember there is a cost associated with administering each trust which may not make sense if the amount left to each grandchild is nominal. In summary, think carefully before you leave nominal amounts to multiple grandchildren. If you insist upon leaving to minors, consider setting up a transfer on death bank account for each minor. The Law Office of James J. 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