Posted on April 21, 2023 in Personal Injury

Even though most people drive on a daily basis, many fail to appreciate the dangers that cars and trucks present to others and the potential for serious injuries in car accidents. People who act negligently while driving put themselves and others at risk, and when they cause accidents and injuries to others, they may be held liable for the resulting damages.

Distracted driving is one of the most common and dangerous forms of driver negligence. It is essential for drivers to stay focused on the road while they are behind the wheel. It only takes a split second of being distracted to cause a car accident. People who have been injured by distracted drivers can work with a personal injury attorney to pursue financial compensation.

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 Posted on April 19, 2023 in Family Law

Divorce can be a complicated and emotionally taxing process for anyone, but the process of dissolving a marriage can be even more complex for couples with a high net worth. Divorcing spouses with substantial assets must take special care to ensure that all marital property is accounted for and divided fairly. With the assistance of attorneys and financial experts who can help identify and determine the value of all relevant assets, a couple can work toward a fair and equitable distribution of marital property, ensuring that both parties can move forward with their lives with confidence and peace of mind.

Valuable Assets to Consider During the Divorce Process

Couples with a high net worth may own multiple different types of property, including:

• Real estate: For many married couples, real estate property is among their most significant assets. This property may include a family's primary residence, vacation homes, or investment properties. It is crucial to get an accurate valuation of the properties owned by a couple, as well as properties owned separately by either spouse before getting married. If one spouse will maintain sole ownership of a property, they may need to have it retitled in their name, and the mortgage may need to be refinanced. Alternatively, spouses may choose to sell a home or other properties during the divorce process and divide the profits earned from the sale.

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 Posted on April 13, 2023 in Immigration

Immigrating to the United States can be a dream come true for many people and families who are seeking better opportunities and a brighter future. However, if a person has a criminal record, this can make the immigration process more complicated. U.S. immigration officials consider a wide variety of factors when determining whether a person is eligible to enter the United States or receive authorization for permanent residence. Some of the most important of those factors will be related to admissibility, and a criminal record may cause a person to be deemed inadmissible. By understanding the types of offenses that could make a person inadmissible and the options for addressing these issues, immigrants can determine what steps they may be able to take to receive authorization for immigration to the United States.

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 Posted on April 05, 2023 in Family Law

Some of the biggest concerns that parents will face during the divorce process will be related to the custody of their children. In Illinois, the courts encourage parents to reach agreements on how child custody will be divided or shared, but a family court judge can intervene if the parents cannot come to a decision on their own through negotiation or mediation. When it comes to joint custody, it is important to understand how this issue will be addressed during the divorce process.

Understanding Legal and Physical Custody

Family courts generally separate child custody into two categories—physical custody and legal custody. In Illinois, legal custody is known as the allocation of parental responsibilities, and it refers to the right and responsibility to make major decisions on behalf of the child, such as education, healthcare, and religion. Physical custody is known as parenting time, although it may also be referred to as visitation. It addresses issues related to where the child will live, including their primary residence as well as the time they spend living in the other parent's home or in their care. It is possible for one parent to have sole legal and/or physical custody, but it is more common for parents to share custody.

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 Posted on March 29, 2023 in Personal Injury

Commercial truck accidents are often severe. Crash victims may suffer organ damage, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and other life-threatening injuries. Others are left with disfiguring burns or lacerations that leave them scarred for life.

If you or a loved one were injured in a collision involving a semi-truck or other large commercial truck, you have legal options. A personal injury claim against the truck driver may provide a means of recovering compensation for your injuries and losses. Unfortunately, trucking companies are generally insured by companies that will do everything possible to avoid paying accident victims full compensation. To bring a successful claim and recover an adequate payout, you will need robust evidence demonstrating each element of your case.

Proving Fault for a Major Truck Accident

One of the most crucial elements of your case will be proving that the truck driver or another party was at fault for the accident. If you bring a claim against a trucking company, the insurance company may try to pin the blame on you.

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 Posted on March 24, 2023 in Immigration

Medical examinations are an integral part of the immigration process in the United States. They are required for many types of visas or for those who are applying for a Green Card through adjustment of status. It is important for immigrants to understand what is involved in a medical examination and what issues are considered.

The Purpose of an Immigration Medical Exam

The purpose of medical exams conducted during the immigration process is to ensure that applicants are medically fit to enter the United States. The exam includes a complete physical assessment, as well as an evaluation of any communicable diseases and vaccinations that may be required. For people in the United States applying for adjustment of status, an exam must be completed by a doctor who has been designated as a civil surgeon by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For people outside the U.S. who are applying for visas, an exam must be completed by a panel physician appointed by the Department of State. The results of the exam will determine whether or not the applicant is eligible to proceed with their application and gain entry into the U.S.

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 Posted on March 21, 2023 in Personal Injury

Falls in nursing homes can be devastating, leading to a variety of injuries that can have long-term effects on elderly or disabled patients. In some cases, fall accidents may result in sprains, dislocated joints, or other soft tissue injuries. Unfortunately, these falls often take place due to the negligence of a nursing home's staff. It is important for those who have been affected by a fall to understand their options for addressing sprains and soft tissue injuries caused by nursing home negligence. 

Soft Tissue Injuries That May Affect Nursing Home Residents

The human body has multiple types of soft tissues that connect the bones in the skeletal system together, provide support for internal organs, and ensure that a person can move properly. While injuries that affect these soft tissues may not be as outwardly obvious as broken bones or bruises and lacerations, they can be very painful, and they can restrict a person's ability to move different parts of their body and perform daily functions. 

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 Posted on March 16, 2023 in Family Law

Navigating the landscape of marriage can be a nuanced and complex journey for many couples. While prenuptial agreements have long been a popular choice for those looking to secure their financial futures before tying the knot, postnuptial agreements are an equally important consideration, and they can provide exceptional benefits in certain situations. In some cases, a postnuptial agreement might be exactly what a married couple needs to ensure long-lasting harmony and mutual respect within their relationship.

Understanding Postnuptial Agreements

A postnuptial agreement, like its prenuptial counterpart, is a legally binding document that outlines how a couple's assets and debts will be divided in the event of a divorce or legal separation. Other issues may also be addressed, such as the circumstances in which a spouse will or will not receive ongoing spousal support following a divorce. The key difference between the two types of agreements is that postnuptial agreements are made after a couple is already married. Couples may find themselves drawn to a postnuptial agreement for various reasons, which may include:

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 Posted on March 08, 2023 in Immigration

An immigration bond hearing is a court proceeding in which an immigrant in removal proceedings can seek relief from detention. The outcome of an immigration bond hearing will determine whether or not the individual will be released from custody while they await the final decision on their case. If a judge determines that the respondent should be released, they will also decide on the amount of bond and the conditions that must be met for the release to take place. If you or a family member have been detained by immigration officials, it is important to understand what will be addressed during an immigration bond hearing so that you can prepare accordingly.

Determining Eligibility for Release on Bond

The primary goal of an immigration bond hearing is to determine if the immigrant should be released while their case is pending. The judge will consider a variety of factors when making this determination, including the person's criminal record, their ties to the community, and their likelihood of appearing at future court dates. Issues that may be addressed during an immigration bond hearing include:

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 Posted on March 03, 2023 in Family Law

Owning a business can be very rewarding, as it can allow you to use your knowledge and skills to fill a need in your community while also ensuring that you can earn profits and provide for your family. As a business owner, you may have built your company from the ground up, and you probably want to be able to continue to reap the rewards of your efforts for years to come. Because of this, you will want to make sure issues related to your business will be addressed correctly in the event of a divorce.

A family business can be one of the most valuable and important assets to address during the property division process. As you determine how ownership of your business will be handled, you will need to understand the full value of business assets. By performing a business valuation, you and your spouse will have the information needed to make decisions about how your marital assets will be divided. By understanding how business valuation works, you can prepare to negotiate a property settlement that will protect your financial interests going forward.

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