Posted on August 20, 2020 in Family Law

College is undoubtedly one of the most expensive investments that you will ever make. As college and university tuition prices continue to rise, it may seem impossible to help pay for your child’s tuition. When couples decide to have kids, oftentimes they will create a separate savings account that will be used towards their children’s tuition. However, the steady increase of tuition costs and the day-to-day costs of raising a child can leave these accounts inadequate to cover the child’s costs as they settle on which college or university to attend.

For divorcing parents, things become even more complicated. In Illinois, divorced parents are required to create a parenting plan that outlines the details of parental responsibilities, parenting schedules, and child support obligations. Unlike some other states, Illinois law addresses the topic of costs associated with college, requiring many parents to help fund their child’s education.

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 Posted on August 18, 2020 in Personal Injury

Slip and fall accidents on business premises can happen to employees and the general public alike. Although they may seem minor at first, they can result in serious injuries and long-term disabilities depending on different factors. Businesses have a general duty of care to mitigate hazardous conditions that can lead to accidents and injuries, and if they have failed to do so, injured parties may have a case for compensation through a personal injury claim. In the unfortunate event that you are the victim of a slip, trip, and fall accident, you should be aware of some of the common causes that may point to a business’s liability.

Contributing Factors in Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen at any time of year and for a number of reasons. Some of the most common include:

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 Posted on August 17, 2020 in Immigration

There are many reasons why someone from another country may want to immigrate to the United States from his or her native land. In some cases, he or she may wish to flee religious persecution or obtain better employment or even join relatives who are already in the country. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the immigration and naturalization process.

In 2000, the LIFE Act was passed and signed into law. The Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act was established so certain non-U.S. citizens in the United States can obtain a Green Card. In many cases, they would not otherwise qualify for an adjustment of status. The LIFE Act was based on legislative changes in response to immigration enforcement. Its purpose was to find a compromise between stopping illegal immigration while recognizing that U.S. citizens’ and lawful permanent residents’ (LPR) wishes to be together with their families. It is important to note that only certain immigrants are eligible for relief under the LIFE Act. If you believe you or your family member may qualify for this opportunity, a knowledgeable immigration attorney can explain your options.

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 Posted on August 13, 2020 in Family Law

As an outside observer, abusive relationships can be difficult to understand. For someone who has never been a victim of domestic violence, you may be wondering why the abused spouse does not leave the relationship and seek out a happier and healthier future. The people in these relationships will likely tell you that once you are in an abusive relationship, the answers that you thought were so simple no longer seem that way.

Did you know that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner? In Illinois, there were 45,319 adult survivors of domestic violence in 2019 alone. Eventually, some married couples in these abusive relationships will decide that divorce is best for their safety and happiness. However, they may need to file an order of protection to protect themselves throughout the legal proceedings.

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 Posted on August 11, 2020 in Personal Injury

Any behavior that removes a driver’s eyes or attention away from the road can pose a danger to others and cause a serious accident, but texting while driving gets much of the attention in distracted driving discussions. Many motorists have access to a smartphone at their fingertips at all times, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that cell phone use was a factor in 14 percent of distracted driving accident fatalities in 2018. If you have been injured in an accident involving texting and driving, you should be aware of the effects that it may have on your ability to seek compensation. In some cases, a negligent driver may be found liable for your pain and suffering.

Legal Implications of Texting and Driving in Illinois

Under Illinois law, texting and driving can be a factor in both civil and criminal litigation. Cell phone use behind the wheel may affect your case in the following ways:

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 Posted on August 10, 2020 in Immigration

There are many reasons why a person from another country may want to move to the United States, including to care for relatives, obtain a graduate degree, or to find a better occupation. In some cases, though, an individual may be fleeing religious or government persecution. In many cases, life in America can offer them many benefits.

What Is an H-1B Visa?

The U.S. government offers different types of visas for which immigrants can apply if they want to enter the country legally. These include H-1B visas, family-based visas, student visas, employment-based visas, and temporary visas. H-1B visas allow foreign nationals to work in the United States within specialized industries for a temporary period of time. However, applicants must meet specific criteria in order to be eligible for these visas, including a certain level of education.

Upon receiving the H-1B visa, the immigrant can report to work for his or her sponsoring company. After moving to the United States, the employee is allowed to seek employment with a different employer, or transfer to a different company. H-1B visas may be complicated due to certain issues, such as initial approvals and employment transfers. That is why the legal guidance of a skilled immigration lawyer can help ensure a smooth process.

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 Posted on August 06, 2020 in Family Law

Just like every couple, every divorce is unique. Some couples struggle to make it through the proceedings without arguing over every subject, while others manage to work together to create their divorce agreement. The way that the divorce proceedings are handled is not necessarily reflective of the quality of the divorcing couple’s relationship, but more telling of their communication skills. Divorce is bound to be an emotional and difficult life experience to go through and everyone responds to these feelings in their own way. Not all divorces require court intervention, and there are a few alternative dispute resolution options available to you and your spouse if you are planning on divorcing.

Divorce Mediation

Some divorcing couples have excellent communication skills and think it would be best to work together to create their divorce agreement. For those who are able to compromise when necessary and work through any disputes without court intervention, divorce mediation may be a good option. In mediation, a couple creates a divorce agreement with the help of a third-party mediator. The mediator does not act as either party’s attorney or legal representative, though many mediators are also attorneys. This neutral third party will provide suggestions to the couple and keep them on task, resolving any minor disagreements that may arise throughout the process. Mediation allows the couple to have complete control over their divorce agreement, including any determinations regarding property division, spousal maintenance payments, child custody arrangements, and more.

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 Posted on August 05, 2020 in Personal Injury

Semi-truck accidents can be extremely dangerous and cause severe injuries because of the size and weight of trucks compared to other vehicles on the road. If you have been injured in a truck accident through no fault of your own, you may already know that you can seek compensation from the truck driver who caused the crash. However, it is not always obvious when the trucking company that employs the driver shares in the liability. If the company has committed any violations to regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), you may be able to pursue damages for a resulting accident.

Regulations for Truck Drivers

Truck drivers have different schedules and work environments compared to other types of employees, such as office workers, who typically work eight hours during the weekdays in a building. That is why truckers must follow certain rules and regulations to ensure safety on the roads. The following are a few examples of these federal restrictions for truck drivers:

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 Posted on July 28, 2020 in Family Law

Whether you have just begun the process of initiating divorce proceedings or are in the early stages of contemplating ending your marriage, imagining what your life will look and feel like when you are on your own again can be emotionally crippling. It is not uncommon for couples to remain in relationship limbo for that exact reason — the idea of living alone can be overwhelming, to say the least. Thankfully, the decision to move forward and take the next step into your newly single life can also be a prime opportunity to nurture yourself in ways you may have never done before. An experienced divorce attorney can assist you with the legal steps of ending your marriage so you can focus on reinventing yourself.

How and Where to Begin

Psychology experts remind us that people often lose themselves in relationships, so it is not surprising how challenging the task of figuring out how to live alone can be following a divorce. As you take a leap into what feels like the great unknown, practice the following tips to help yourself prepare and adjust to your new life:

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 Posted on July 24, 2020 in Immigration

Many foreigners come to the United States looking to start a new life by becoming permanent, lawful residents. Maybe you are a student hoping to study at an American university, a person seeking more employment opportunities or a parent who wants a better life for their family. Anyone looking to become a lawful permanent U.S. resident will need to properly apply and obtain a Green Card. For those with family members who are already U.S. citizens or permanent residents, they are eligible to begin the immigration application process with the help of their family and an experienced attorney. Since the immigration process is very detail-oriented, time consuming and momentous to those looking to become permanent residents, it is important to have an immigration lawyer working by your side.

Green Card vs. Citizenship

The difference between lawful permanent residents, also known as Green Card holders, and U.S. citizens can be confusing for those considering immigrating to the United States. Those with Green Cards are not considered U.S. citizens, but are able to legally reside and work within the U.S.. The main difference between permanent residents and U.S. citizens is their ability to vote in U.S. elections. Citizens are able to vote, while permanent residents are not able to do so. Permanent residents are also unable to travel outside of the United States for a prolonged period of time as it could affect their residency status. Additionally, Green Card holders are not eligible for all forms of federal assistance until they have resided in the U.S. for at least 5 years. There are a number of ways that one can become eligible to obtain their Green Card, but it is important to know which category of familial relatives you fall under so that the application is properly completed.

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