Posted on March 31, 2017 in Immigration

In recent days, several raids have taken place by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), more specifically by Enforcement & Removal Operations (ERO). These raids were aimed at rounding up any and all undocumented immigrants, which is a departure from the policy of the previous administration.

Since the scale of these recent raids has been larger than usual, it has led to many finding themselves without counsel or without information about the rights they have in the United States. If ERO appears at your door, you may be too flustered to speak up then and there.

Before and During the Raid

It is pivotal to be prepared before any adverse event happens, by carrying the right information and by having steps in place in case the worst occurs.

Identification such as a driver’s license is a good item to have on you at all times. This form of documentation provides the information that you are required to give to law enforcement (your name and birthdate, in most states) without any identifying marker regarding your country of origin. Also, it can be helpful to ensure that your family has access to your relevant information and the contact information of an immigration advocate or group that you trust.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 31, 2017 in Family Law

While mediation can reduce the overall cost of a divorce, there are some situations in which it may not be appropriate. Hidden assets – or the potential for hidden assets – are a prime example. Learn how to determine if your spouse may be hiding assets, and how hidden assets during mediation can impact the outcome of your divorce.

Are You at Risk for Hidden Assets?

Divorces involving closely held businesses, one-sided financial disadvantages, high net worth, or excessive debt tend to have an increased risk for hidden assets during divorce proceedings. However, any couple may experience asset dissipation (the loss of assets) or asset hiding issues during their divorce. A few signs that could indicate it might be happening to you include:

• New or unfamiliar bank transactions,
• Overpayments to credit cards,
• Large withdrawals or transfers of money,
• Strange or numerous small purchases,

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 30, 2017 in Personal Injury

Millions of households across the United States enjoy the affection and company of a beloved family pet. Many families consider them as an extension of their family, just like another child in the house. Pets are given all the creature comforts making them a familiar domestic presence throughout neighborhoods.

The downside to dog ownership is when they attack. A dog that bites someone, often a young person, can unleash a series of horrific injuries—if not death. About 4.5 million dog bites occur each year and a mauling by a dog can inflict serious injuries to a victim. The reassuring news is, however, that a dog owner can be held responsible for the harm sustained.

A personal injury attorney can represent you in seeking compensation for your injuries and the ensuing pain and suffering. Do not suffer in silence when you can potentially recover for the negligent actions of an owner of an aggressive dog.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 24, 2017 in Immigration

Immigration law is complex. As one navigates through the process of obtaining visas and more permanent status, it is not uncommon to become confused about one’s rights and responsibilities. Nowhere is this more fraught than if one is awarded a green card, which confers lawful permanent residence (referred to commonly as ‘LPR status’) on the holder. Upon being granted your green card, you are also granted rights under the law which cannot be taken away unless you lose your status.

More Than a Visa, Less Than Citizenship

Rather than relying on immigrant visas like H1Bs or F1s, LPR status is very often a kind of intermediate status for those who have reasons to live or work in the United States, but may not wish to renounce his or her original citizenship. It is also common to see LPRs who received their green cards via relief applications, such as those who apply each year under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Either way, lawful permanent residents have rights and responsibilities that are enshrined in the law, and may not be taken away unless they are stripped of their green card. Many of these rights are things that citizens take for granted, but LPRs often do not have that luxury.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 24, 2017 in Family Law

As divorce becomes less stigmatized, and families grow more aware of the negative impact that family strife can have on children, more couples are opting for unconventional post-divorce family models. Some use birdnesting. Others choose a 50/50 split on the allocation of parenting responsibilities and parenting time. Still others have separate lives but continue to have family outings and vacations together. Which option is right for your family? The following may help you decide.

Live-In Parenting Models

Some parents get along well enough that they can use a live-in model after the divorce. This can range from all-out living together as a family, 24/7, to birdnesting – a model in which children stay in the family home but parents rotate in and out. How do you know if one of these options may be appropriate for your family?

First, families that have any form of live-in parenting should have an amicable situation. If spending time around your spouse or sharing space with them is simply too much to handle, then this model is unlikely to work for you. Further, live-in parenting models require a great deal of maturity on the part of both parties. You must be able to create and maintain clear boundaries while still focusing on the day-to-day lives of your children.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 23, 2017 in Personal Injury

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and estimated 1.7 million people suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of those, approximately 52,000 experience fatality. Motor vehicle accidents are the third leading cause of those deaths. Thankfully, science is starting to make some headway in treatments—some of which may save victims that would have otherwise died from their injuries. The following explains further.

Improved Screenings for Injured Victims

Lack of early detection is one of the biggest reasons that TBIs become fatal. This is exactly why science has started focusing on methods for earlier and better detection. For example, rather than search for a brain hemorrhage in a CT scan, some victims might be better served through biomarker testing. MRIs may also be used to better detect if a victim has experienced mild traumatic brain injury. This can reduce the risk that less severe cases are missed, which can, in turn, reduce the risk for secondary injuries that could easily become life-threatening.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 17, 2017 in Immigration

If you have committed a crime, you ought to be aware (or become aware) that your actions have the potential to seriously affect your ability to stay in the United States, especially if you are undocumented or are present on a non-immigrant visa.

Normally, commission of certain crimes can render you deportable from the country, and many will come with a bar—a period of time where you must not re-enter the country.

However, in some cases, this may be avoided by making a deal or pleading guilty to a charge that will not render you deportable. Still, this can be a very complex undertaking.

The Process

If someone is found to have committed a crime, sentencing follows fairly quickly in the normal order of things. However, if the person is an immigrant, the judge must take into account the nature of the crime. There are two classifications—a crime of moral turpitude (CIMT) and an aggravated felony. A crime of moral turpitude (CIMT) is a crime that shocks the conscience of the public, while an aggravated felony is differentiated most often simply by the fact that its consequences are quite severe. If you commit either of these types of offenses, then you will almost certainly be held to be deportable.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 17, 2017 in Family Law

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) estimates that approximately 20 people are abused by an intimate partner each minute in the United States. That equates to more than 10 million victims per year. Some of them are married, unsure of how to escape, and afraid of what might happen if they try to pursue a divorce. An attorney may be able to help.

Guiding You Through the Process

When you are dealing with both domestic violence and divorce, it is crucial that you have someone to guide you through the process. You need someone who can stand up for your rights and protect them in every situation. You also need someone who can help you work through the financial discovery of any marital assets.

Helping You Stay Safe During the Divorce

Although some victims can and do leave their relationships without retaliation, others may be at risk for escalated violence. An attorney can help you pursue an order of protection. You should also know that Illinois offers certain employment protections to victims of domestic violence.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 16, 2017 in Personal Injury

Although a slip and fall injury can occur at almost any time of the year, winter can be an especially busy season for emergency room doctors. Often, this is because the dropping temperatures create more ice and snow in parking lots, on sidewalks, and in entrance and exit areas. Learn what you can do to avoid injury, and how to protect rights, should a slip and fall happen to you or someone you love when winter weather strikes.

Give Yourself Extra Time

Whether you are headed to the office, off to a doctor’s appointment, or simply out running errands, it is always a good idea to give yourself extra time during the winter season. This makes you less likely to rush and more likely to see patches of ice or debris that might be covering icy surfaces. Going slower also decreases your risk of experiencing a severe injury, should you end up missing a patch of ice or slick snow.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 10, 2017 in Immigration

Many individuals are unfamiliar with U visas and are unsure about how and why they are awarded. However, if you are unlucky enough to be the victim of a crime, you may be able to apply for one. Moreover, f you consent to help with the prosecution of your attackers, you may be able to remain in the United States even if you entered without inspection. It is important, though, to be aware of the requirements for a U visa before you begin the application process, especially in recent weeks. Given the current flux in the U.S. immigration system, it is not implausible to think that regulations may change in the future.

Restrictions & Requirements

The U visa is granted to victims of certain crimes, such as human trafficking, prostitution, violent assault, domestic violence, and several others. A person generally has a higher likelihood of being granted a U visa if he or she has been the victim of a crime in which he or she suffered severe abuse (mental or physical), but there are a host of crimes for which one may be considered for a visa. The single most important criteria is that you, as a victim, must be willing and able to assist U.S. law enforcement in attempting to prosecute the people who harmed you. The requirements specifically state that you are “helpful, or likely to be helpful” in the prosecution of your attacker.

Continue Reading ››