Posted on February 21, 2023 in Immigration

While there are several different avenues for immigrating to the United States, one of the most common ways of doing so is for a foreign national to marry a U.S. citizen. In cases where a couple may have plans for marriage while they are living in different countries, a fiancé visa will allow the foreign fiancé to enter the U.S. and receive authorization for permanent residence. Understanding what is required of an immigrant who receives a fiancé visa can make the process less daunting. This can ensure that a couple will take the correct steps to ensure that the application for a visa will be approved, and they can also address any issues that may affect a person's ability to continue living in the United States and eventually apply for citizenship.

Eligibility Requirements for Fiancé Visas

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 Posted on February 17, 2023 in Family Law

The choice to end a marriage is often a difficult one. In some cases, a married couple may feel that their relationship is no longer working, and they may be looking at their options and considering whether to go ahead with a divorce. However, legally terminating a marriage will involve multiple types of complex legal, financial, and personal issues, and one or both spouses may be worried about how the lives of themselves, their children, or others may be affected by this drastic change. In Illinois, legal separation may be an avenue available to couples who are not ready to take the final step of divorce but need some distance and independence. By understanding the potential benefits and drawbacks of legal separation, couples can determine whether this may be a solution that will work for them.

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 Posted on February 16, 2023 in Personal Injury

Every day, patients trust their doctors to provide them with accurate diagnoses and quality healthcare. Unfortunately, in some cases, misdiagnoses occur, and patients may suffer serious harm as a result. If a misdiagnosis by a doctor or medical professional has resulted in injuries or other damages, then you may be able to seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim.

When Is a Misdiagnosis Considered to Be Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice involves negligence or carelessness by a healthcare professional that results in a patient's injury or wrongful death. It occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the generally accepted standards of practice in their field. There are multiple ways that a misdiagnosis may be considered medical malpractice. These situations may involve issues such as:

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 Posted on February 10, 2023 in Personal Injury

Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel up and down roads and highways across the United States. With so many of these vehicles on the road, truck accidents have become more likely to occur—particularly accidents caused by driver fatigue. Truck drivers are often expected to drive for long periods of time without taking breaks, making them more prone to falling asleep at the wheel or making dangerous mistakes because they are drowsy or tired. In fact, it is estimated that around 13 percent of all truck accidents involve truck drivers who are fatigued. By understanding the risks and dangers associated with driver fatigue, people who are injured in these types of accidents can take the proper steps to pursue compensation from those who were responsible.

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 Posted on February 08, 2023 in Immigration

For those who are looking to immigrate to the United States or for those who are living in the U.S. and seeking to help their loved ones come to the country, it can seem like immigration laws and policies are constantly in flux. With tens of thousands of people looking to enter the U.S. each month and many more attempting to cross the border without authorization or being detained and deported by immigration officials, it can be difficult to determine the rules that must be followed and the issues that could prevent a person from entering or remaining in the United States. However, this process may soon change for certain immigrants due to new policies being put in place by the administration of President Joe Biden.

Options for Parole for Certain Immigrants

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 Posted on February 03, 2023 in Family Law

If you are considering a divorce in Illinois, if you have separated from your spouse and are preparing to file for divorce, or if you have already begun the divorce process, it is important to understand the laws that will apply to you and the requirements you will need to meet. If you and your spouse have children, there are a number of issues that you will need to address during your case, including creating a parenting plan. This plan will outline the rights and responsibilities of both you and your spouse in regard to your children, as well as the rules that will apply to both of you. By understanding what must be included in your parenting plan, you can make sure issues related to child custody will be handled correctly during your divorce.

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 Posted on January 30, 2023 in Immigration

Abusive marriages are more common than most people realize. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) estimates that 10 million people in the U.S. are victims of physical abuse each year, with women making up the majority of this group. Unfortunately, many victims remain in or return to abusive relationships because they feel trapped by their economic and immigration statuses.

Fortunately, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a way for victims of abusive marriages to self-petition for permanent resident status. VAWA enables eligible individuals to file without their spouse’s involvement, meaning they don’t have to rely on the abuser in order to pursue immigration relief.

VAWA Adjustment of Status

Typically, the family-based immigration process requires permanent residents and U.S. citizens to file a petition for their non-citizen spouses. Unfortunately, abuse victims may be unable to get an abusive spouse to help them petition for permanent residence. An abusive spouse may even withhold help as a way to further control the victim.

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 Posted on January 26, 2023 in Personal Injury

Losing a loved one in an accident brings not only deep sadness and grief but also a sense of injustice - especially if the death of a family member occurred as the result of another’s negligence. When an Illinois resident dies due to someone else’s carelessness, legal options may be available for the surviving family members.

The two primary types of legal claims that can be brought by a decedent’s family are wrongful death claims and survival actions. Both are means of pursuing monetary damages after an avoidable death.

Taking Legal Action Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act

Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death claim can be brought by the representative of the deceased person's estate. The purpose of this action is to seek compensation for losses related to the death. Compensation may be available for:

• Lost financial support – The deceased may have provided financial support to his or her family. A wrongful death claim can help the family recover compensation for lost wages and benefits due to the untimely death.

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 Posted on January 19, 2023 in Immigration

Immigrants who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents face numerous challenges and anxieties. For many people, the possibility of deportation is a constant threat. Cancellation of removal is a form of relief from removal (deportation) and can be granted to immigrants who demonstrate that they have been in the United States for a certain period of time and meet other criteria.

One key factor when applying for cancellation of removal as a non-permanent lawful resident is demonstrating hardship. To demonstrate this, applicants must provide evidence to the immigration judge of the negative effects their removal would have on their family members.

Qualifying for Cancellation of Removal

Individuals living in the United States without legal status have to deal with the stress and fear that comes from knowing that their lives could be uprooted at any moment. For those placed in removal proceedings, the threat of deportation is very real.

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 Posted on January 18, 2023 in Family Law

Getting divorced requires a couple to address several multifaceted issues. Divorcing spouses will need to divide shared assets and debts, address the ownership of the marital home, and handle other complicated financial matters. If the spouses share children, they must also decide on a parenting plan.

Most couples prefer to avoid the time and expense of a court trial by using an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process during divorce. The most common forms of ADR for divorce in Illinois are negotiation, mediation, and collaborative divorce. If you are planning to divorce soon, it may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the benefits of these ADR methods.

Negotiating a Divorce Settlement Through Your Respective Attorneys

Movies and TV shows make it seem as if all divorce cases involve a heated courtroom trial. In reality, most divorce cases are settled long before trial. Negotiation is a form of ADR where spouses can hire separate divorce attorneys to represent them in negotiations with one another. This process allows each spouse to present their side and make a request for what they are seeking from the other spouse. Negotiations often result in an agreement that both spouses find acceptable.

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