Posted on October 13, 2021 in Personal Injury

Dogs of all sizes, from German Shepherds to Chihuahuas, have the potential to attack and cause injuries. It may be tempting to simply ignore bites by small dogs - they often do not seem as serious as bites by larger dogs. Yet, all dog bites have the potential to cause serious infections and other problems. If you were injured by a dog, consider calling an attorney after you seek medical treatment. Even if the bite does not seem serious right away, it is best to speak to an attorney, as this can help your claim should you later decide to pursue compensation.

Is a Small-Dog Bite Dangerous?

The biggest risk from any animal bite, including small dogs is usually infection. When it comes to infection risk, it makes little difference whether you were bitten by a Pit Bull or a Poodle. All types of dogs - and cats, for that matter - carry bacteria in their mouths. Dogs pick up potentially dangerous bacteria from everything they lick or pick up with their mouths.

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 Posted on October 11, 2021 in Family Law

Marital asset division is one of the most notorious areas of divorce, but it is not only a couple’s property that must be divided - their debts must be divided as well. Over the course of a marriage, couples can include substantial debt together. Indeed, couples may accumulate more debt than property. Jointly owned credit cards, mortgages, student loans, and home equity lines of credit are all common in modern marriages and must be dealt with in divorce.

As with the asset division process, Illinois courts are concerned with dividing marital debt in a way that is equitable rather than precisely equal. Understanding what this is likely to mean for you can help you prepare for your divorce and set yourself up for success in the future.

What is Considered Marital Debt?

If either spouse has debt before the marriage begins, that debt usually remains the responsibility of that same spouse if the marriage ends. But with few exceptions, debt accumulated by either spouse during the marriage will be considered marital debt. Medical expenses, investment debt, student loans, and small business loans are all common types of marital debt. Even a car loan taken out by one spouse and used exclusively for their benefit is considered marital debt.

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 Posted on September 30, 2021 in Immigration

The last year has been a challenging and confusing time for immigrants in the United States, with the effects of COVID-19 and the seemingly countless changes to immigration policy between the two most recent presidential administrations. One challenge that many immigrants have faced is a delay in processing their applications for visas and adjustments of status. Fortunately, Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced a measure that provides relief for some conditional permanent residents with pending applications.

What is the Conditional Permanent Resident Status?

USCIS will grant conditional permanent resident status to immigrants who become permanent residents by way of marrying a U.S. citizen when the marriage occurred within the last two years. This includes immigrants who come to the U.S. on a K-1 fiancé(e) visa, as well as those who come to the U.S. on another type of visa and then get married to a U.S. citizen during their time in the U.S.

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 Posted on September 29, 2021 in Personal Injury

In Illinois, the owner or manager of any given premises has a duty to keep the area safe for anyone who is allowed to enter. This means that the floors should be safe to walk on, but this is not always the case. After a slip and fall injury, there are a few steps you can take immediately to protect your legal right to receive compensation. If you or your loved one is injured then getting prompt medical care is the number one priority. It is also critical to document the accident as soon as it happens. If possible, call a lawyer from the scene so he or she can guide you through the next steps. Otherwise, these guidelines may be helpful to you.

Steps You Can Take After a Slip and Fall

If emergency medical care is needed, that always takes precedence. Getting proper documentation and contacting an attorney are the next priorities. Here are some steps you can take right away after a slip and fall:

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 Posted on September 22, 2021 in Family Law

In 2019, Illinois modified the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and changed the way that spousal maintenance (previously known as “alimony”) is handled in Illinois divorces. Spousal maintenance is not intended to punish or reward either spouse. Rather, it is ordered by a court for a period of time in recognition of the fact that the receiving spouse may be left in a disastrous financial situation after the divorce because he or she often gave up a career and other personal opportunities to care for a family. There are now four main kinds of spousal maintenance that can be ordered by an Illinois court.

Temporary Maintenance

Temporary Maintenance is allocated to spouses for a brief period of time while the divorce is ongoing. Because a homemaker may have no financial resources of their own to pay for a divorce attorney, spousal maintenance may be necessary to provide for expenses while the divorce is taking place. Individuals who anticipate needing temporary spousal maintenance can include a request in their initial divorce filing.

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 Posted on September 17, 2021 in Personal Injury

If you have been injured in a collision with a large commercial truck, you may need all the help you can get to recover compensation for your extensive medical expenses and other damages related to your injuries. In these cases, it is important to look into the actions of not only the truck driver, but also the company that employs them. An experienced truck accident attorney who is well-versed in trucking industry regulations can help you hold all of the negligent parties accountable. Here are some of the most common Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations that can affect the outcome of a personal injury claim.

1. Hours of Service Regulations

Hours of service regulations limit a truck driver’s hours on duty and on the road, on both a per-shift and weekly basis. They also require drivers to keep detailed logs of their hours. If there is evidence that a driver or their employer violated these regulations, it may be possible to demonstrate that fatigue and impaired driving abilities contributed to an accident and the resulting injuries.

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 Posted on September 15, 2021 in Family Law

Married parents often move from one state to another with their children. After a divorce in Illinois, parents who share parenting time with their former spouse may be required to obtain permission from their former spouse and the court before they can move.

This article discusses the conditions around moving with a child after divorce. Whether you are a parent trying to stop your child from being relocated or a parent seeking to relocate a child, having an experienced family law attorney is essential.

How Far Can We Move Without Permission?

Illinois law requires a parent moving more than 25 miles away or crossing state lines to request permission from the other parent (this is broadened to 50 miles away if the parent lives outside of the Chicago area). If the responding parent does not consent to the move, then the parent requesting the move must file a petition with the court and show that the move would be in the child’s best interests.

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 Posted on September 07, 2021 in Immigration

To become naturalized U.S. citizens, immigrants must fulfill many different criteria, including first achieving lawful permanent resident status, maintaining continuous residence in the U.S., and demonstrating good moral character. One of the final steps in becoming a U.S. citizen is passing a civics test, and this can be a source of apprehension for those who are unsure of what to expect. However, it is possible to study and prepare so that you can go into the test with greater confidence.

Which Version of the Civics Test Will I Take?

In 2020, the Trump administration introduced a revised civics test that doubled the number of questions asked and the number of correct responses required to pass. However, in early 2021, this new test was canceled. As of April 19, 2021, almost all immigrants pursuing naturalized citizenship will take the version of the test that was established in 2008.

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 Posted on August 30, 2021 in Personal Injury

When a person is injured in a car accident, filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party is often the best way to recover financial compensation for medical expenses and other damages. Most Illinois drivers have liability coverage included in their car insurance policy, which can provide substantial compensation to injury victims when the driver is responsible for an accident.

Unfortunately, however, it is not always possible to recover compensation through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. When this is the case, injury victims may instead need to seek financial relief through uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Do I Have Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

In order to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, you first must determine whether you have an insurance policy that provides you with this coverage. If you have a car insurance policy for your own vehicle, there is a good chance that you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injury, as this coverage is automatically included in policies issued in Illinois. If you do not have a policy of your own, you still may be covered under a policy held by your spouse, parent, or another member of your household.

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 Posted on August 24, 2021 in Family Law

When a child is born outside of marriage, the parents often have questions about what will happen next to them and their child. One common question is whether it is truly necessary to go through the legal process of establishing paternity. Some parents are intimidated by the prospect of interacting with the Illinois court system in any way, while others may not see the benefits of making paternity official. For example, if you get along with the other parent, you may assume that your own personal arrangements for raising the child are sufficient. On the other hand, if you do not want the child’s father to be involved, you may feel that establishing paternity would only make things worse.

Though it is understandable to have concerns about establishing paternity, it is important not to fall victim to common misconceptions about what it entails. In many cases, establishing paternity is in your child’s best interests as well as your own, and doing so may not be as intimidating as you expect.

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