Posted on May 12, 2017 in Family Law

When domestic violence victims leave an abusive relationship, they often need protection from their abusers. An order of protection can meet this need, but only if the victim knows which one to pursue. The following information explains the three types of orders of protection in Illinois and offers some insight on where to find assistance while navigating the legal process.

Why Pursue an Order of Protection?

At first glance, an order of protection might seem silly, like nothing more than a piece of paper. However, it does offer some significant benefits to victims. First, it can serve as a form of documentation in a family law case; this may be crucial in situations involving divorce and child-related matters. Second, it gives victims the right to call the police if their abuser violates the order in any way, shape, or form. This includes:

• Calling the victim at home or work,

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 Posted on May 11, 2017 in Immigration

One of the cornerstones of the new president’s immigration policy, going back to the campaign trail, is to regulate the country’s H1B visa program more effectively, ostensibly to weed out those who abuse the system. However, the proverbial jury remains out as to the most effective way to do this, or even as to whether such reforms are truly necessary. Either way, those who hold H1B visas or seek to obtain them in the next fiscal year should be aware of the potential changes to the program.

Current Program Regulations

For the last few decades, at least, the H1B program has been used to allow U.S. employers to hire foreign workers, seemingly to fill gaps in their workforce that cannot be filled by U.S. citizens. The requirements are fairly simple, but important to prove. They are: (1) that one has a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in a field related to the one he or she intends to work in; (2) that one will be earning a wage (as opposed to volunteering or being paid in another manner); and (3) and that he or she will be engaged in a “specialty occupation.”

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 Posted on May 08, 2017 in Personal Injury

Dogs who exhibit aggressive behaviors are more likely to bite. If you find yourself around dogs, it is important to understand the signs so that you can take precautions if you believe a dog is dangerous. Additionally, many victims of dog bites are children; therefore, it is important for parents to be aware of signs of aggression in dogs.

Still, an understanding of the warning signs can still result in dog bites. In many cases, dog bites are not the fault of the victims under the law. Because the law favors dog bite victims, they often can be compensated for their injuries.

Signs of Aggressive Behaviors in Dogs

Experts warn of the following behaviors. If your dog shows these behaviors, you should seek professional help for your dog. If you are around a dog with these behaviors, it is advisable to leave the area to avoid an accident.

Aggressive behaviors include the following:

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 Posted on May 05, 2017 in Family Law

Few things in this world resemble the American Dream as well as the family-owned business. Unfortunately, not all families stay together. When the marriage that held the family together ends in divorce, some decisions must be made – namely what will happen to the family business. The following explains some of your options and provides details on how to protect your financial interests.

Ensure Valuation is Accurate

One of the most crucial steps you can take in divorce is ensuring that your business is accurately and comprehensively valued by an experienced professional. Do not leave the matter up to chance. Do not leave it in the hands of your spouse. Instead, contact an experienced divorce lawyer – preferably one that has experience working with forensic accountants.

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 Posted on May 04, 2017 in Immigration

Since the takeover of the new administration, immigrants, both documented and undocumented, have been asking multiple questions about potential changes in enforcement at the state and federal level. One of the most common questions in recent weeks asks what an immigrant needs to be carrying on him or her in terms of documents that show status. The answer is that it will depend on the type of status you have.

“Registration” is Different

The relevant provision in U.S. immigration law is Sec. 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which holds that any alien over the age of 14, who has been or will be present for than 30 days, must “register” with the federal government. However, the word “registration” has been interpreted in very different ways depending on the category of visa the alien holds (or, obviously, if one is undocumented). Most of the time, registration happens automatically when one enters the country. One common example is the I-94 form, which is considered a registration document for most of those who enter via sea or air.

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 Posted on May 02, 2017 in Personal Injury

For parents and caretakers, child passenger safety is of paramount importance. Children are extremely vulnerable in car accidents, and for that reason, there are additional safety requirements meant to protect them.

Requirements of the Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act

The Child Passenger Protection Act mandates that children under eight years old use a child safety restraint system.

For children who are the proper size for a booster seat, a safety belt that has both a lap and shoulder strap must be used. If the back seat of the car does not have such a belt, Illinois law provides that a child who weighs more than 40 pounds does not need to use a booster seat and may use the lap belt only.

Child Safety Restraint System Guidelines

In addition to following the car seat manufacturer’s instructions, the state of Illinois also offers the following guidance.

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 Posted on April 28, 2017 in Family Law

While most wedding trends include things like hairstyles, locations, and colors, a new and different sort of trend has entered the scene recently. It is known as the prenuptial agreement. Of course, they have always offered potential benefits to marrying couples; they just have not ever been all that popular. Instead, they were considered one of the least romantic ways to tie the knot. Now they are the norm. What has changed? The following explains.

Difficult to Value Property

Traditionally, prenuptial agreements covered straightforward assets – or assets that are easy to value: homes, cars, incomes, collections, and family heirlooms. More recently though, they have been extended to include concepts and ideas, such as copyrights, trademarks, and software applications. These types of assets are known as intellectual property, and they can be difficult to value in divorce. Using a prenuptial agreement prior to the marriage can clarify who owns the intellectual property, and it can set parameters on what the joint or non-owning spouse may be entitled to there are ever any proceeds from the asset. At the very least, it can keep a non-owning spouse from selling an idea that does not belong to them during the divorce process.

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 Posted on April 25, 2017 in Personal Injury

A dog bite is a serious injury that can lead to severe wounds, exposure to disease, and the need for rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery. A dog bite can also lead to mental anguish that can require psychological treatment.

While any dog breed can attack, some breeds are known to be more aggressive. Also, certain dogs have been bred to be more powerful and to have a stronger bite.

The following list notes 10 dog breeds with the strongest bites and the breed’s bite force in pounds per square inch. These figures were generated by using digital bite meters.

1. Kangal with a bite force of 743 pounds;
2. Mastiff – 556 pounds;
3. Wolfdog – 406 pounds;
4. Rottweiler – 317 pounds;
5. African wild dog – 317 pounds;
6. American bulldog – 305 pounds;

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 Posted on April 25, 2017 in Immigration

Since the changeover to the new administration, there have been numerous unanswered questions about the status of immigrants, especially those who are part of various special interest groups. Perhaps no one is more at risk than the unaccompanied minors who make the trip from Central and South America, and it is entirely understandable that many may wonder about what awaits them when they arrive.

Current USCIS Regulations

Currently, unaccompanied minors may seek Special Immigrant Juvenile status. Or, they may apply for asylum on their own, depending on their situation, if they have no family in the country to sponsor them. Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status is designed to assist minors who have been abused or abandoned, and as such, has certain restrictions—a juvenile may obtain a green card through the program, but he or she may never petition for his or her parents to do the same, unlike immigrants who adjust status after reaching 18 years of age.

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 Posted on April 21, 2017 in Family Law

Blended families come in all shapes and sizes. Each one is unique, but they all have one thing in common: shared children. It is the best interests of these children that should take precedence in all that the families say and do. One family is setting the example by showing up to soccer games in customized, blended family jerseys. How are they making it work, and how can you adapt their style to fit your family? The following explains.

Remember to Be Mindful of the Child’s Comfort Level

Although a new relationship may be the last thing on the mind of some divorcing couples, others have been working on their transition for years. As such, they may already be romantically involved with someone else. Unfortunately, children can find these new relationships jarring, painful, or even traumatizing. The effect is heightened if they have not yet had the chance to adjust to the divorce. So, regardless of where parents are at in their new relationships, it is crucial that they stay mindful of their child’s comfort level.

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