Divorce and Telling the Kids: One Size Does Not Fit All

 Posted on December 03, 2013 in Family Law

So the decision has been made, either you or your spouse are filing for divorce. Even the word “divorce” conjures up discouraging thoughts of possible anxiety, stress, financial difficulties, and lifestyle changes with the emphasis primarily on the adults and their adjustment to the changing family dynamic.

But what about the kids? They're resilient, right? Not so fast, according to a recent article posted to Divorce Source, Inc., the level of a child's understanding and how he/she will handle the situation is still based upon the age old adage, children learn by example and will follow your parental lead.

According to the late Ruth Peters, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who specialized in child and adolescent psychology, breaking the news to your children should be scheduled early in the process. If possible, both parents should be involved, without playing the “blame game”. Timing should not be too far in advance nor too late in the game either. Showing your emotions during the “talk” is encouraged, let them know that upcoming changes will be difficult for you as well. Remember to provide them with a brief summary of why, how and when these changes will occur. For example, discuss living arrangements, visitation schedules and all adjustments to their routines, which may be difficult but as parents you will both be present to make these transitions flow as smoothly as possible.

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The Basics of Premises Liability

 Posted on November 29, 2013 in Personal Injury

When you are on another person's property, there is an expectation that you are safe. However, that is not always the case. The most common type of injury in these circumstances is a slip and fall accident. In order to prove that the accident was due to negligence on the part of the property owner, there are certain things that need to be proven. The first requirement is that an accident on the premises was the cause of an injury. It does not matter if the injury is small or severe, as long as an injury occurred due to the accident on the property. Beyond that fact, it is necessary to prove that the property owner was the cause of the accident. Otherwise, the accident and subsequent injury might be normal in the daily course of living. Liability is determined if one of the following are true.

• The premises manager or a responsible party has caused the dangerous condition. This includes circumstances like uneven flooring, poor lighting, ripped carpeting, constricted stairs or a slippery floor.

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The Top Financial Fears of Divorce

 Posted on November 28, 2013 in Family Law

Money issues can cause a lot of fighting during any marriage. The stress that builds up when bank accounts are low can make your partner look like an enemy rather than an ally. This is the case especially if each spouse tries to manage their joint account differently. Some research suggests that arguments about money are a top predictor of the dissolution of marriage. But just as money issues can cause a divorce, there are money fears that are prevalent even through the divorce process.

One fear during a divorce is not getting what you deserve. Throughout marriage, each spouse plays a role in the accumulation of wealth. In some cases, that is simple assets like a house and a bank account. In some cases, the marital property is complex and its division can be the cause of fear. No one wants to be a sucker especially during a divorce. Make sure to talk to your divorce attorney to ensure that you uncover any hidden assets and set a fair value for your shared property.

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Woman Files Personal Injury Lawsuit against Marseilles Police

 Posted on November 25, 2013 in Personal Injury

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Railroad Industry Calls for Better Safety Regulations

 Posted on November 22, 2013 in Personal Injury

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Expert Help to Consider During the Divorce Process

 Posted on November 20, 2013 in Family Law

If you are considering or actively seeking a divorce, then you will need the help of experts and legal professionals. They can provide insights into contentious issues like child custody, division of property, and support. In some cases, an expert can give you guidance on the proper settlement to your divorce. In other cases, they can provide trustworthy testimony in a litigated divorce. No matter what type of divorce you are seeking, these experts can assist you in the process.

1. Property Experts

Just as you would get your house appraised before selling it, a property expert will estimate the value of your marital home and other property. Their job is to compile prices of neighboring properties to have a sense of your house’s market value. They will also review custom upgrades, the structure of the home, and curb appeal. They will ensure that you get the proper value for your home when property is divided.

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Survey Shows that Paramedics Might Not be Trained

 Posted on November 18, 2013 in Personal Injury

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Illinois Divorce and Joint Parenting Agreements

 Posted on November 14, 2013 in Family Law

Most parties are able to agree to the terms of a divorce without having to go through the trial. In these cases, the parties would memorialize the terms of the agreement into a marital settlement agreement, which they present to the judge for approval. Absent some glaring deficiencies, the judge will usually make the agreement part of the final divorce decree.

Parties who have hired qualified divorce attorneys will also present the judge with a joint parenting agreement (“JPA”), which sets out the child custody provisions. For example, the JPA will state whether parents have joint legal custody or whether only one has legal custody and the other has visitation rights. In cases where parents are splitting physical custody, the JPA will set forth the daily custody schedule. Yes, the attorney will take a calendar and note on each day which parent has custody.

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Chicago Considers Licensing to Increase Bike Safety

 Posted on November 14, 2013 in Personal Injury

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School Bus Crashes into Building in Niles

 Posted on November 11, 2013 in Personal Injury

It is natural to assume that you are only at risk of being caught in an auto accident when you are in a car or traveling near the road. But in reality, even when safely inside a building, there is a chance you may be hurt as a result of mistakes made by a driver. Car, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and other vehicles often leave the road, causing serious injury and property damage to anything or anyone in their path.

For example, earlier this month The Bugle reported on a school bus that careened out of control and crashed into an animal shelter in Niles, Illinois. According to reports, on October 2nd a bus owned by the Alltown Bus Service left the roadway and slammed into the side of a building--the Wright-Way Rescue animal shelter--at 7136 W. Touhy Ave. Fortunately, no children were on the bus at the time. In addition to the driver, an assistant was on board during the accident but neither was injured. A few animal shelter employees were inside the building at the time. Luckily all were in the rear of the building during the impact and none were hurt. A Niles Herald-Spectator story explained that the bus driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Per company protocol, the driver was also undergoing drug and alcohol testing to determine if impairment contributed to the accident--though no results were made public. Traffic tickets often play a role in any subsequent civil case arising from an auto accident. If a driver receives a traffic ticket or faces a criminal charge as a result of their actions, it does not automatically follow that they will be found liable if an injured party brings a civil lawsuit. However, depending on the specific situation, the ticket or statements made in dealing with the criminal case, may be used to show liability in the civil case. Most notably, if a defendant pleads guilty in a traffic court proceeding, then that plea may be used in the civil case as an admission of guilt. Many Illinois court opinions have reiterated the admissibility of this evidence. Contact an Accident Lawyer

The risk of serious injury and property damage is always high when any vehicle leaves the road, let alone a large machine like a school bus. As seems to be the case in this situation, errors made by the driver are often the root cause of a collision. When a driver makes a mistake like this and causes injury or property damage, Illinois law allows those affected to protect their legal rights via negligence lawsuits. If you are hurt in this way, be sure to contact a qualified injury attorney to learn more.

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