Posted on July 10, 2014 in Personal Injury

Summer is here, and the warm weather allows many to enjoy all that these warmer months have to offer. Boat enthusiasts will surely take to the water to cool off and enjoy the sunny weather, and even participate in a variety of water sports. Many water activities will involve the operation and use of a boat. Unfortunately, not every boating experience is a fun one. If not operated properly, boats can be dangerous not only for drivers and passengers, but for anyone on the water at the same time. In fact, boating accidents cause serious injury and even death.

Accidents on the Water

Below are some of the more common causes of boating accidents and how they can be avoided:

Inexperienced Drivers. Operator inexperience is often the leading cause of boat accidents. Many state agencies and local organizations offer classes on boating education, as well as boating safety classes. Taken together, these classes can inform boaters about relevant boating laws and ensure that their time on the water is safe and enjoyable.

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 Posted on July 09, 2014 in Immigration

The United States immigration system may force those involved to undergo extremely long periods of waiting. Some people wait as long as 20 years for their priority date to come up. However, there are ways to get onto a different track in order to expedite the process. One of these ways is a need to claim asylum, or refugee status.

U.S. asylum law is patterned after the definition of a refugee, established by the Geneva Convention. (Some people confuse being an asylee with being a refugee, when both categories exist in U.S. law. The only difference is where one applies: an asylum claim is made within the U.S., while a refugee claim is made outside the country.) The relevant text states that to qualify as an asylee or refugee, someone must have a “well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”

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 Posted on July 09, 2014 in Family Law

Child Custody

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act is the law that governs how child custody is determined in Illinois. When we think of the word “custody,” we sometimes view it in terms of the time spent with a child regardless of whether the courts award joint or sole custody. However, custody in Illinois actually has to do with determining which parent has the decision-making power over the child. The length of time a parent spends with the child is not the focus of the determination.

Types of Custody 

There are two types of custody in Illinois: sole custody and joint custody.

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 Posted on July 08, 2014 in Personal Injury

Car accidents can happen at any time, and for any number of reasons. While even the most seasoned driver can make a mistake and be involved in an accident, it is undeniable that young people are often involved in car accidents at a high higher rate.

Not only do teens and other young people lack driving experience, they also do not possess the life experience to appreciate that accidents can and do happen, and that dangerous driving behavior greatly increases that risk.

A New Study

The results of a study recently found that stricter laws and increased punishment for irresponsible driving behaviors, such as extreme speeding and aggressive driving, are likely to greatly reduce the number of related injuries and deaths that would occur to young male drivers.

Researchers involved in the study looked at the impact that such new laws had in Ontario, Canada in the fall of 2007. According to the new laws, drivers who travel at a rate of speed more than 31 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, and are pulled over or caught racing or participating in other types of dangerous driving behavior, face having their license suspended immediately. They also face having their car impounded for seven days.

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 Posted on July 02, 2014 in Immigration

Many people who apply for visas or achieve immigration status in the U.S. do not realize that it is not necessarily permanent. Even green cards can be revoked if the holder is found to have committed a crime of moral turpitude. However, the definition of that term is murky. It is important to have a good attorney who can help you navigate the confusing maze of terms and paperwork.

Crimes of Moral Turpitude

A crime of moral turpitude (CMT) has been defined as a “depraved or immoral act.” More narrowly, it has been defined as a crime involving force, deception or theft; something morally reprehensible, as well as against the law. Examples of CMTs include rape, murder, felony assault, robbery, fraud and forgery, though this list is not exhaustive.

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 Posted on July 02, 2014 in Family Law

Money and Marriage

Researchers who study marriage dynamics and the causes of divorce have focused most of their efforts on studying the effects that physical or emotional cheating have on a marriage. However, until recently, very little research had been done to study the effects that “financial infidelity” had on relationships. Financial infidelity occurs when one partner hides what he or she does with his or her money from the other partner. It could take the form of spending money behind the partner’s back, maintaining separate credit cards or secret accounts, stashing away money, or borrowing from others without the partner’s knowledge.

Research Studies

According to a National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) study conducted by Harris Poll in January 2014, one-third admitted to financial infidelity. Most notably, however, was that 76 percent of those adults said the infidelity had an effect on the relationship.

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 Posted on July 02, 2014 in Personal Injury

Not Paying Attention

Officers are planning on aggressively issuing tickets to anyone who they discover is not paying proper attention to the road. It is an overall safety approach that will equally apply to all drivers they observe on the roadways. Their aim is to get drivers and others to focus on the streets. As a result, they will also be on the lookout for pedestrians who are not paying attention to where they are walking, since this can easily contribute to an accident and a dangerous situation.

One of the main infractions police will be looking for is handheld cell phone use including texting, which has specifically been against the law in Illinois since 2011; additionally in 2014 a law went into effect that made any handheld cell phone use illegal. There are many other acts that would constitute violations resulting in the enforcement of a penalty for distracted driving. Any action that diverts a driver's attention from the road is included. Other traffic offenses, such as seat belt violations and speeding, will also be closely monitored and ticketed when appropriate.

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 Posted on June 28, 2014 in Personal Injury

Now that the school year has ended, many teens will likely participate in celebrations centered around graduations and summer vacation. These celebratory events often mean fun times with friends, but can unfortunately turn bad in an instant. It is important to note that teens with initial driver's licenses are required to abide by certain state laws in order to be in compliance with certain restrictions placed on such licenses. In addition, parental involvement and the supervision of others in positions of authority go a long way in monitoring teen's behavior and ensuring their safety.

Common Causes of Teen Driving Accidents

While it is true that any number of factors can lead to an accident, teens are generally more at risk of being involved in a crash than the average adult. They are obviously more inexperienced behind the wheel, but often teens choose to partake in other activities while driving that put them at a greater risk of having an accident. Such activities include cell phone use while driving, other forms of distracted driving, having too many passengers in the car, speeding, and drinking and driving, just to name a few.

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 Posted on June 27, 2014 in Immigration

Removal proceedings are one of the most terrifying situations a person can experience, especially if you have family and friends in the United States. If your visa is expired or if you find yourself otherwise ineligible to stay in the U.S., there are steps you can take to make your life easier, even if you cannot stay in the country. Sometimes, your attorney may advise you to accept voluntary departure, to make things easier at a later date.

Voluntary departure is a process in which a foreign national voluntarily leaves the country, either without an order of removal being issued at all, or, if given the option, before a final order of removal is issued. It is an option for those who are appearing before an immigration judge, and do not think they will win the right to stay in the United States.

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 Posted on June 27, 2014 in Family Law

Say the word "prenup" and many will immediately shudder. At best, it seems a tool for the rich and famous. At worst, it conjures images of a disposable marriage. The truth is neither. Prenups are for people with assets of any kind. Getting one only means that you are thinking about your future, and not necessarily thinking that your marriage will fail.

What is a Prenuptial Agreement?

Prenuptial agreements (also known as antenuptial agreements) are simply contracts made between two people before they marry. The agreement memorializes what will happen if the couple divorces or if one spouse dies before the other.

What Are the Requirements for Forming a Valid Prenuptial Agreement?

Illinois law allows married persons to enter into contracts with each other. This law sets the legal foundation for prenuptial agreements. If you look at the statute, you will notice that it is remarkably brief. It allows couples to create prenups. However, it does not say what the prenup can or cannot look like.

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