Posted on September 16, 2019 in Family Law

Marriage is not for everyone; however, there are those people who enter into marriage believing they can make it work and last a lifetime. Unfortunately, even for those couples who give it their best, they may ultimately decide to divorce. Indeed, most recent statistics available show that more than 22 percent of couples marrying for the first time end up divorcing in less than 5 years, while 53 percent of all marriages dissolve by the 20-year anniversary. Although divorce proceedings are usually carried out in court, litigation is not always necessary to legally terminate your marriage.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

There is a growing trend for couples to use other means to resolve the issues involved in ending their marriage, and these methods are known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Mediation is one of the most common types of ADR, and during this process, divorcing spouses will work with a third-party mediator to address and resolve all legal issues involved in dissolving their marriage. The process is confidential and non-binding. This means if one spouse does not agree with the mediator’s proposed resolution of an issue, they will not be required to follow it, and any issues that cannot be resolved may be addressed through litigation in court. The mediator can help resolve issues typically involved in divorce, such as:

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 Posted on September 12, 2019 in Personal Injury

Personal injury claims are not always the easiest cases to win. In a slip and fall or any case in which an injury occurs because of someone's negligence, the burden of proof falls on you, the plaintiff, not the defendant. This means you must be able to prove that the defendant is responsible for the injuries you are claiming to have sustained. Proving negligence can be a difficult process, and you do not want to make a mistake that could have been easily avoided. If you are pursuing a personal injury claim for a slip and fall case, be careful to avoid the following errors in order to increase your chances at receiving compensation:

Not Seeking Medical Attention

The entire premise of a slip and fall case is based on your injuries. You are trying to pursue compensation for injuries that you sustained because someone acted recklessly, and that negligence caused you to slip and/or fall. Seeing a physician is crucial, because it will provide a medical record of your injuries. You also need to make sure you are following your doctor’s orders and going to any follow-up appointments. Not seeking medical assistance can make it seem like your injuries are not as serious as you claim them to be.

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 Posted on September 11, 2019 in Immigration

Not all couples who marry are from the same state or even country. Two people who are engaged to be married may live across the globe from each other. This long-distance relationship can be challenging, emotionally and legally. If someone is a U.S. citizen and wants his or her “betrothed” to live in the United States, there are certain stipulations that must be met first before they can move here. Securing a fiancé(e) visa can be a complicated endeavor, but necessary for a loved one to enter the United States legally. In some cases, couples may choose to get married abroad so the foreign spouse would enter the United States on a K-3 (married) visa. Each couple is unique, so it is best to seek legal counsel to determine the best course of action for your immigration situation.

Immigration Visa Laws

The first step in bringing your foreign fiancé(e) to the United States is filing a Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), which is Form I-129F. This will allow him or her to obtain a K-1 nonimmigrant visa, which is also referred to as a fiancé(e) visa.

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 Posted on September 09, 2019 in Family Law

In Illinois, marriage dissolution, or what is most commonly referred to as divorce, is the sole means by which a couple can legally terminate their marriage. The termination itself requires a judgment entered by the court, which a judge will issue after the couple agrees to the terms of the divorce. If the couple cannot reach an agreement, then a judge will decide the marital and child-related issues, including the allocation of parental responsibilities and other matters, such as division of property and assets or spousal maintenance (alimony). It is not unusual for one of the spouses to decide to move out of state while the divorce proceedings are going on. In some cases, circumstances such as a job transfer make the move necessary. In other scenarios, however, a spouse may decide to move in an attempt to get a better outcome or even contest the divorce.

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 Posted on September 05, 2019 in Personal Injury

Many people enjoy the company of a four-legged friend. It is no wonder that dogs are called man’s best friend, since most canines are very friendly and make great companions. Some dogs, however, are more hostile than others. Studies show that more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year throughout the U.S., and more than 800,000 people require medical treatment for dog bite injuries. Fortunately, the state of Illinois allows victims to pursue compensation for dog bite injuries.

Dog Bite Injuries and Infections

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that children are more likely to be bitten than adults, because they often do not know the warning signs that a dog may be hostile or dangerous. When children suffer a dog bite, they are more likely to sustain serious injuries. However, dog bites can seriously harm people of any age, and injuries can range from a small scratch or bruise to deep lacerations and broken bones. In addition to these injuries, any dog bite that breaks the skin can also lead to an infection or illness if it is not properly treated. Common infections that occur from dog bites include Pasteurella, MRSA, tetanus and in some cases, even rabies.

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 Posted on September 04, 2019 in Immigration

The immigration process can be long and complicated. However, if an individual who is trying to immigrate to the United States commits certain crimes, he or she might be deported. Even if the immigrant possesses a green card, he or she is subject to deportation if he or she violates U.S. immigration laws. If there is substantial evidence that a crime has been committed and the person was convicted, an immigrant can be subject to removal proceedings. It is important to understand the immigration criminal defense proceedings if you or a loved is charged with a crime that is classified as “deportable.”

Types of Crimes that Warrant Deportation

Immigrants face the risk of being deported if they are convicted of specific types of crime. A “crime of moral turpitude” (CMT) or is not defined very well under U.S. immigration law. It is important to note, however, the Department of State states that the typical conditions of a moral turpitude crime include “larceny, fraud, and intent to hurt persons or things.” Crimes that involve theft and dishonesty are considered this type of crime. Other examples include assault with intent to kill or rob someone; aggravated DUI or DWI; and spousal abuse.

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 Posted on August 28, 2019 in Personal Injury

According to the American Trucking Association, there were approximately 36 million large trucks registered and used for business purposes in 2017, with more than 1 million for-hire and private truck carriers operating in the United States. Trucking is a fairly large industry, but it can be dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were more than 4,600 large trucks involved in fatal crashes and approximately 107,000 involved in injury crashes in 2017. When a truck gets into an accident, it makes sense to first blame the truck driver. In some cases, the trucking company for which the driver works can also be held responsible for a truck accident.

Hiring Unqualified Drivers

All drivers of large trucks have to meet certain requirements and have specific qualifications and endorsements to legally drive a big rig. Drivers must hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with the proper endorsements to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Drivers must also be certified that they are medically sound to drive a CMV. If a trucking company knows that a driver does not have a CDL or the appropriate endorsements, has medical issues, or does not have adequate training or experience, the company can be held liable for injuries or damages sustained in a truck accident.

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 Posted on August 27, 2019 in Family Law

The process of obtaining legal parental rights over a child that is not your own is known as adoption. Once you have done what is required and successfully completed the process, you will establish a legal family relationship between yourself and the child you are adopting. As an adoptive parent, you will have the same rights, duties, and obligations to the child as the child’s biological parents would have.

Who Can Adopt a Child?

Under Illinois law, basically, anyone of age can adopt a child provided they follow the law and meet the adoption requirements. So, it does not matter whether you are single, married, divorced, or even a same-sex couple; you can adopt—again, assuming you meet all the other requirements.

For example, if you are married, then both you and your spouse must jointly file an adoption petition. This requirement, however, does not apply if you have been separated for more than one year.

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 Posted on August 27, 2019 in Immigration

Immigration is a hot topic these days, given recent government changes to the laws and increased enforcement at the United States/Mexico border. Many U.S. citizens have family members who wish to join them here. Any U.S. citizen can help a relative become a legal permanent resident of the United States by obtaining a “Green Card.” To accomplish this, a person must sponsor his or her relative and prove that he or she has enough income or assets to support the relative once he or she enters the United States. It is important to note that if the immigrant qualifies, he or she can apply for citizenship later. If you are considering sponsoring a loved one, you need to know the necessary legal steps to take.

Requirements for Sponsorship

Obtaining permanent resident status provides a family member with the privilege of living and working in the United States permanently. The petitioner is required to show evidence to prove the familial relationship to the person for whom he or she is sponsoring. In order to sponsor a relative for permanent residency in the United States, there are several requirements that must be met:

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 Posted on August 21, 2019 in Personal Injury

One of the most difficult and traumatic experiences a person can go through is grieving the death of a loved one. When that death is due to the recklessness of another individual, it can be even more devastating for the family. While many car accidents result in property damage or injuries, far too many result in the death of one or more people. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 35,000 traffic fatalities that occurred in the United States in 2017. Although nothing can bring back your loved one, Illinois does allow the families of wrongful death victims to file claims to help mitigate some of the financial burdens that an unexpected death can cause.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Wrongful death claims exist to allow a deceased person’s family members to claim damages that the deceased individual would have been able to claim in a personal injury lawsuit if he or she were alive. Illinois law allows surviving spouses and minor children of the deceased to file a wrongful death claim and recover damages, though this right can also be given to an adult child of the deceased or the parents of a deceased minor.

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