Posted on June 19, 2023 in Family Law

There are numerous expenses involved in raising children. They can start even before a child is born as parents address the costs of medical treatment during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and purchase baby products. Throughout childhood, parents will be required to pay for things such as clothing, school supplies, dental and orthodontic treatment, and activities, not to mention the ongoing costs of maintaining a home and feeding a family. Married couples will usually combine their incomes and other resources to ensure that their children's needs are met, but when a couple chooses to get a divorce, conflict may arise regarding how various child-related expenses will be divided between parents. In these situations, it is important to understand how parents' child support obligations will address different types of expenses.

Basic Child Support Expenses

The Illinois child support guidelines, which are detailed in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), provide a method for calculating a "basic child support obligation" that will take the income earned by both parents into account. Each parent will be responsible for a certain percentage of this obligation. This amount is meant to cover the essential costs of raising a child, including necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and some ordinary medical expenses.

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 Posted on June 12, 2023 in Personal Injury

Every year, thousands of people are killed or injured in truck accidents, and in many cases, commercial truck crashes are caused by improperly maintained equipment. These accidents can be devastating, leaving victims with life-altering injuries and significant financial burdens. If you have been involved in a truck accident, an experienced attorney can help you determine whether equipment failures occurred and whether the collision was caused by negligence on the part of the truck driver, their employer, or other parties.

Common Types of Equipment Failures That May Result in Truck Crashes

Semi-trailer trucks have multiple types of complex equipment that must be regularly inspected and maintained. Failure to perform maintenance when required may lead to the failure of important systems, and dangerous truck accidents may occur as a result. Some of the most common types of truck equipment that may break down and cause accidents include:

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 Posted on June 06, 2023 in Immigration

The United States is known as the land of opportunity, attracting millions of individuals and families from all over the globe. There are a variety of options for those who wish to come to the U.S. While some people may receive sponsorship for immigrant visas from family members or employers, allowing them to live in the United States permanently, others may seek temporary visas that will allow for short-term stays in the country. By understanding the types of non-immigrant visas that may be available, individuals can determine their options as they seek authorization to enter the United States.

Categories of Non-Immigrant Visas

Temporary visas will generally allow for a short-term stay in the U.S., and different types of non-immigrant visas will be available for different purposes. These include:

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 Posted on June 02, 2023 in Family Law

Regardless of the specific circumstances of your case, your divorce is likely to be a stressful experience. Separating from your spouse will require you to make major changes in your life, and the way you handle your finances will need to be adjusted. As you determine how to address financial issues during and after your divorce, you may need to look at the role that spousal support will play in your case. Spousal support, which is also known as alimony or spousal maintenance, is financial support that is provided by one spouse to the other, and it may be paid both during the divorce process and for a certain amount of time after a divorce is finalized. By understanding how spousal maintenance is handled in Illinois divorce cases, you can make sure arrangements will be put in place that will ensure your ongoing financial success.

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 Posted on May 30, 2023 in Personal Injury

As summer approaches, Illinois residents are preparing for a variety of outdoor activities, including spending time in and around water. Swimming pools and water parks can provide much-needed relief from the summer heat, but they also present certain risks, including the possibility of drowning. When life-threatening accidents involving drowning occur at swimming pools or water parks, victims and their loved ones can work with a personal injury attorney to determine who may be held liable for failing to protect their safety.

Liability for Drowning Injuries Caused by Negligence

In general, a property owner is responsible for ensuring that their premises are safe for visitors to enter and use. Companies that own water parks or public pools and homeowners with private pools are required to take the necessary measures to protect people's safety, including providing supervision when needed and ensuring that all equipment and facilities are properly maintained. Victims who were injured because of a property owner's negligence may be able to pursue compensation through a premises liability claim or lawsuit.

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 Posted on May 26, 2023 in Immigration

Many immigrants dream of becoming American citizens. Citizenship comes with many benefits, such as the right to vote and the ability to travel internationally with a United States passport. However, the process of obtaining citizenship can be complicated and lengthy. One of the main concerns for many immigrants is understanding how long they will need to wait before applying for citizenship. The wait times will depend on a few factors, and by understanding the procedures that will need to be followed, immigrants can make sure they can attain citizenship as quickly as possible.

Requirements for Applying for U.S. Citizenship

Immigrants can obtain citizenship through a process known as naturalization in which they will submit an application, provide documentation showing that they meet all eligibility requirements, take tests demonstrating a knowledge of the English language and the U.S. government, and take an Oath of Allegiance. The wait times that will apply before a person can apply for citizenship will depend on how an immigrant is classified:

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 Posted on May 17, 2023 in Family Law

Update: While issues related to children's privacy may be a concern for married couples, most parents in these situations will be able to work together to determine the best approach to take as they raise their children, while also addressing any concerns about illegal or dangerous activity by children. However, disagreements about these issues may complicate a divorce or child custody case, and parents may need to determine how to address these concerns or respond to accusations that they have taken inappropriate actions regarding their children.

When courts make decisions about child custody, they will seek to find solutions that will protect the best interests of the children involved in a case. If a parent has been accused of spying on their child or otherwise violating a child's privacy, this issue could potentially be raised during legal proceedings. For those who need to address these issues, representation by an attorney can be crucial. A skilled lawyer can help a parent respond to claims that they have taken actions that could cause harm to their child and demonstrate that they have acted within the bounds of their parental authority and were focused on protecting their child's best interests. An attorney can also help a parent address concerns about inappropriate actions by the other parent and advocate for solutions that will protect their child against potential forms of harm.

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 Posted on May 11, 2023 in Personal Injury

Childbirth is an experience that many families look forward to with anticipation and excitement. However, it can also be a time of uncertainty and worry, since there are a variety of complications that can occur during labor and delivery that could potentially result in birth injuries. Some of the most serious complications that can occur during childbirth are related to a child's ability to receive sufficient oxygen. If a child's oxygen supply is cut off, they may experience brain injuries that could lead to conditions such as cerebral palsy. A lack of oxygen can also put a child's life at risk. In situations where a child suffered harm because of oxygen deprivation, parents may need to determine whether birth injuries occurred because of medical malpractice.

Causes of Oxygen Deprivation During Labor and Delivery

There are several reasons why a child may not receive sufficient oxygen during childbirth, including:

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 Posted on May 04, 2023 in Immigration

For the past several years, the United States has faced a crisis at its borders, with numerous people attempting to enter the country after fleeing dangerous conditions such as wars, natural disasters, or political unrest. The administration of President Joe Biden has sought to implement programs that allow for legal immigration rather than unauthorized entry into the country. This has become an even greater concern in 2023 as Title 42, a rule that has allowed immigration officials to quickly expel many undocumented immigrants, is coming to an end. However, with the Biden administration's expansion of options for humanitarian parole, more immigrants may be able to resettle in the U.S.

Humanitarian Parole and Other Options for Immigrants

Over the past few years, a large number of migrants have fled dangerous conditions in their home countries and sought to enter the United States. With limited options for legal immigration, many of these immigrants attempted to enter the country without authorization. After being detained and expelled by immigration officials, a large number of migrants have gathered in camps in Mexico, where they have been at risk of crime, health issues, and other dangerous conditions. To address these issues, the Biden administration has sought to provide more options for immigrants to enter the U.S. legally.

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 Posted on May 02, 2023 in Family Law

While most people who get married plan to stay with their partners permanently, the possibility of divorce is always present. A marriage may break down for many reasons, ranging from serious issues such as infidelity or abuse to financial concerns, disagreements about children, or incompatibility. While the process of ending a marriage can be difficult, it can sometimes be the best option for a family, allowing spouses to leave a relationship that is no longer working and prepare for a more positive future. If you have encountered relationship problems, and you believe that divorce may be necessary, there are several steps you can take to prepare for the many legal, financial, practical, and emotional issues that you will need to address.

Getting Ready to End Your Marriage Successfully

While the divorce process may officially begin when either you or your spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage, you may begin separating from your spouse well before that happens. If you have started to take steps toward getting a divorce, or if you are planning to go down that road in the near future, you will want to do the following:

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