Posted on November 22, 2021 in Family Law

One of the most difficult things that can happen in a divorce is the fallout between the parents of a child and the child’s grandparents or other family members. Sometimes parents are trying so hard to get “even” with each other that they are willing to sacrifice the child’s relationship with their relatives. Other times, the parent dislikes their former partner’s family or feels that interacting with them is simply too painful.

Whatever the reason, the loss of the relationship between the grandparents and the child can be very painful. Grandparents may wonder whether they have the right to visit their grandchild, even if one of the parents does not consent. Although parents are generally permitted to make decisions regarding whether a child has visitation with family members, it may be possible to petition for visitation. If you are a grandparent or other relative in this situation, read on.

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 Posted on November 19, 2021 in Immigration

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that Green Card applicants will now be able to also apply for their Social Security number at the same time they are applying for their permanent residency. Prior to this announcement, applicants were required to apply for their Social Security number through the Social Security Administration (SSA). This extra step also added time to the entire permanent residency application process.

Social Security Number

Permanent residency status allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States. In order to legally work in the U.S, the person must show their employer proof of their identity and their employment eligibility. For the majority of workers, a Social Security card from the Social Security Administration is an accepted form of proof.

Prior to the USCIS’s announcement, in order for a Green Card applicant to receive a Social Security card with their number on it, they were required to submit documentation to the Social Security Administration directly.

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 Posted on November 17, 2021 in Personal Injury

Trailers that become detached from the truck cab are often moving at high speeds completely out of control. Pile-up accidents involving multiple vehicles can result when a trailer detaches and plows into smaller cars with tremendous force, often pushing them into other cars. This type of trucking crash can cause serious injuries or fatalities due to the size and speed of a runaway trailer. Sadly, many of these terrible accidents could have been prevented with the exercise of reasonable caution. If you were injured in a truck trailer detachment accident, you will need a knowledgeable attorney to help you discover and prove the cause of the crash before you can recover compensation.

What Types of Negligence Cause Trailers to Detach?

Trailer detachments rarely happen for no reason. There are safe ways to haul a trailer if the correct procedures are followed, and appropriate care is used. Reasons a trailer might detach and cause a wreck include:

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 Posted on November 08, 2021 in Immigration

When a person applies for a green card seeking either lawful permanent status or as a refugee, there are certain criteria that they must meet in order to be considered. One of those criteria is vaccinations. An applicant must show proof they have received a number of vaccines, including measles, mumps, polio, and rubella. As of October 1, there is one more thing that they must comply with, and that is having proof they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

USCIS Announcement

In September, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),in partnership with the United States Department of State (DHS), announced that all green card applicants will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated at the medical exam that is also required to obtain their green card.

The new requirement is based on guidelines that have been issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) that every applicant must complete the series of COVID-19 vaccines and provide documentation to the civil surgeon who is performing the required medical exam. In their guidelines, the CDC clearly outlines what those required vaccine series are based on which type of vaccine the applicant has received. The three acceptable series are the Pfizer-BioNTech, the Moderna, and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) brands.

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 Posted on November 03, 2021 in Personal Injury

Slip and fall accidents are often played for laughs in the movies, with part of the joke being that the person who fell is actually just fine. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in real life. Slipping and falling can result in devastating and life-altering injuries. In some instances, they can even be fatal. Elderly people and those with health problems are more likely to suffer a serious injury during a fall. Major injuries may be immediately apparent after the fall, or may take months to identify and begin treating the injuries.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injury as a result of a slip and fall, you will want to speak to a qualified attorney as soon as possible. Time is of the essence when gathering evidence in a slip and fall case, so it is best to call a lawyer promptly.

Types of Serious Injuries Caused by Slip and Falls

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 Posted on November 03, 2021 in Family Law

One of the most difficult and heart-wrenching parts of a divorce is figuring out whether your beloved family heirlooms may be in danger of being included in the asset division process. Sometimes items that have been handed down through generations can be of great monetary value - jewelry, furniture, collectibles - and other times, these items are of great sentimental value.

Fortunately, there are certain steps that individuals can take to protect their family valuables during a divorce. A qualified Illinois divorce attorney can help people considering marriage understand how to protect their assets preemptively and can also help those considering divorce create a plan to protect important assets during property division.

Consider a Prenuptial Agreement

Prenuptial agreements may have a reputation for existing exclusively in the realm of the rich and powerful, but this is simply not the case. They are valuable legal instruments that, if drawn up correctly, can protect the individual property of anyone getting married. Even if family heirlooms are not of particularly great value, a prenuptial agreement can state that all personal property that was owned before the marriage by one spouse will remain the exclusive property of that spouse after divorce.

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 Posted on October 29, 2021 in Immigration

The laws and policies regarding immigration and deportation have always been a contentious topic, creating great division in the political aisle. Policies can be difficult to keep up with, especially if the person sitting in the Oval Office holds a different political philosophy from his or her predecessor. This has been particularly evident this past year, as President Biden has rescinded many of the policies put in place by the Trump administration.

Last month, the White House announced another major change, putting limits on the number of arrests and deportations that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents can make. These changes are part of the Biden administration’s effort to restrict immigration arrests and deportations from the interior of the country of undocumented immigrants who have been here for years and are part of the broader community.

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 Posted on October 27, 2021 in Family Law

Differences in money management strategies are notorious for contributing to divorce rates. Couples frequently disagree about how to manage money and financial conflict is one of the most common reasons cited for divorce. In addition to causing conflict within a marriage, the inability to effectively manage money can have long-term repercussions, affecting couples and individuals long after a marriage has ended.

Disagreements about money are not a sure-fire sign that a relationship is doomed, but if you and your spouse are constantly struggling to resolve money issues, you may want to consider speaking with an Illinois divorce attorney.

Common Marital Financial Issues

Because there is no one right strategy for managing money, couples who discuss each other’s attitudes towards spending money right from the beginning of their relationship are more likely to have a successful marriage. They avoid unpleasant surprises and have an easier time agreeing on how to handle their finances through their relationship.

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 Posted on October 25, 2021 in Personal Injury

Having an object fall off a truck and strike your vehicle is often a minor annoyance, usually involving a broken windshield or a dent on the bumper. Unfortunately, an object falling from a truck can also be a much more serious event. Depending on the item that falls, and the surrounding circumstances, people can be seriously injured or killed by fallen truck debris. If you were hurt because an object fell off a truck, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, or other harms related to the accident.

Who is at Fault for an Accident Involving Truck Debris?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the state of Illinois set out regulations regarding trucking companies and truck drivers’ responsibilities for making sure their load is secure. Both are responsible for making sure the system they use to secure their loads is in good condition. Drivers are responsible for checking on their loads and making any necessary adjustments to keep objects from falling.

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 Posted on October 15, 2021 in Immigration

Earlier this week, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas announced that federal immigration agents will stop mass workplace arrests of immigrant employees suspected of living in this country without legal permission. Instead, agents’ focus will turn to the pursuit of “unscrupulous employers who exploit the vulnerability of undocumented workers.” The secretary also announced that the department will instead be focused on eradicating worker abuse, including unsafe work conditions, substandard wages, and human trafficking.

Policy Changes and Reviews

According to federal statistics, more than 7 million undocumented immigrants are working in the U.S. These workers make up approximately 25 percent of those that work in the farming, fishing, and forestry industries. It is estimated that approximately 13 percent of all construction workers are undocumented immigrants, and just under 10 percent of those working in the food service industry are also undocumented workers.

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