Posted on January 30, 2024 in Family Law

Many divorces involve the division of assets and property the couple has acquired during the marriage. Although that usually involves financial accounts (i.e., checking, savings, 401(k)), real estate (i.e., marital home), and other property (i.e., vehicles, boats), there are other assets that should be included in the marital estate division that a lot of couples do not realize. The following is an overview of some of those assets. For more detailed information if you are ending your marriage, contact an Illinois divorce lawyer.

Frequent Flyer Miles and Rewards Points

In today's world, many couples accumulate significant amounts of frequent flyer miles, hotel rewards points, and other travel-related perks. These assets can be valuable, especially for people who travel frequently for work or pleasure. In a divorce, these rewards can be divided or assigned to one spouse, but their value must be included in the marital estate.

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 Posted on January 24, 2024 in Immigration

For a non-U.S. citizen to lawfully enter the United States, they must obtain a visa from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The type of visa issued depends on the reason the individual wishes to enter. The following are the different types and the requirements to apply. For more detailed information about your situation, contact an Illinois immigration lawyer.  

Family-Based Visas

Family-based visas are designed for family reunification. To qualify for this type of visa, the applicant needs sponsorship from a family member who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. The sponsor must show that they have the ability to support the applicant financially.

Employment-Based Immigrant Visas

Employment-based immigrant visas are for people seeking professional and employment opportunities in the United States. A job offer from a qualified employer is mandatory, and certain visas may have specific skill or education requirements.

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 Posted on January 23, 2024 in Personal Injury

Texting and driving is illegal in Illinois, yet almost 10,000 distracted driving crashes occur each year in the state, with texting being a factor in many of those accidents. Proving that an at-fault driver was texting at the time of a car accident can be challenging, but it is not impossible. If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident, the following are some of the ways an Illinois personal injury lawyer can prove the other driver was engaged in texting when the crash happened.

Police Report and Witness Statements

Even if the crash appears minor, law enforcement should be called to come to the accident scene. The responding officer will be required to file a police report, and that report can be a key piece of evidence in proving liability.

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 Posted on January 13, 2024 in Immigration

When you are applying for any type of visa or U.S. citizenship, you not only have to provide specific documents with your application, but you also have to pay a fee. Each type of visa application has its own fee, with the prices varying depending on the type of visa you are applying for. One of the most frustrating factors to deal with when you are applying for a visa is the duration it takes for that application to be processed, however, there are certain types of visas where you can pay an extra fee for premium processing to accelerate that processing time.

Every two years, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required to review its fees to determine if adjustments should be made. The last time there was an increase in premium processing fees was in 2016; however, that all changes in February when significant increases take effect. The following is an overview of these increases. For more detailed information about your particular situation, it is best to contact an Illinois immigration lawyer.

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 Posted on January 10, 2024 in Personal Injury

Calculating damages in a wrongful death case can be a complex process. The goal of a wrongful death action is to provide compensation to surviving family members for the losses they have suffered due to the death of their loved one. There are specific laws that govern these cases and stipulate the guidelines that should be used to determine how damages should be calculated. Understanding the legal process is important for anyone involved, and it is why it is crucial to have a skilled Illinois wrongful death lawyer navigating you through this process.

Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

Wrongful death claims can arise from various situations, including medical malpractice, car accidents, workplace accidents, and more. When a person's death is caused by the negligence or recklessness of another party or parties, the surviving family members have the legal right to seek compensation for their losses.

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 Posted on January 05, 2024 in Family Law

Child support is a legal obligation that requires non-custodial parents to provide financial support to their children on a regular basis to help cover the costs of their upbringing. When a parent fails to meet their child support obligations, they are considered delinquent, and this can have serious consequences for both the child and the parent involved.

Delinquent child support is a significant and widespread issue that affects millions of children and families across the United States. According to the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), as of January 2021, the total amount of child support arrears submitted to the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) by states totals more than $113 billion. If you are having difficulty collecting child support owed to you, an Illinois family lawyer can help.

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 Posted on December 31, 2023 in Personal Injury

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost two million people each year suffer some type of brain injury. More than 50,000 of those hurt will die because of their injuries. Children, especially those younger than 5 years of age, teens between the ages of 15 and 19, and seniors who are over the age of 65 are the age groups who are especially at risk of a brain injury caused by an accident. Even a minor injury can leave a person with long-term or chronic health issues. If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury in an accident caused by another party, it is important to speak with an Illinois personal injury lawyer to find out what legal options you may have.

How Do Brain Injuries Happen?

Any type of blow to the head can result in injury to the brain, but statistics show that the following are the most common types of accidents which result in brain injuries:

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 Posted on December 28, 2023 in Immigration

When a person is convicted of committing a crime, the court will hand down the penalty they are required to serve as punishment. If the individual who is convicted is an immigrant – whether in the United States legally or illegally – there will likely be even more consequences because that conviction can mean they will be forced to leave the country. This is why any immigrant who has been charged with a crime should immediately contact an Illinois immigration attorney to ensure their rights are protected.

United States Immigration Laws

Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, there are two types of crimes that can result in a non-citizen’s removal from this country. The first is an aggravated felony. It is important to note that the definition of an aggravated felony is different under federal immigration law than it is under state law. In fact, there are many crimes that state laws classify as misdemeanor offenses that immigration laws consider aggravated felonies and convictions would result in the person’s removal.

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 Posted on December 28, 2023 in Family Law

It is estimated that more than 300 million people in the United States have at least one social media account. As people spend more and more time on social media, a larger percentage of their lives ends up getting documented, for better or for worse. Social media has a way of impacting nearly every aspect of our lives. Child custody cases are no exception.

Whatever gets posted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media platforms, either by a child or a parent, may eventually be used in court against a parent during a child custody case if the content paints a negative picture of their parenting capabilities. This is why it is so important to understand the significant impact any posting can have in a custody case. It is also why it is important to have a skilled Illinois family lawyer advocating for you.

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 Posted on December 15, 2023 in Family Law

When a couple decides to divorce, one of the most significant areas that need to be determined is how the marital estate will be divided between them. Illinois follows the equitable distribution principle. This means that while the estate will be divided fairly, it will not necessarily be divided 50/50.

The marital estate is made up of all the assets and debts a couple acquires during a marriage. While the makeup of assets may vary widely from one couple to another, there are four common types of assets that many marital estates contain. If you are considering divorce, it is important to make sure you speak with an Illinois divorce lawyer to ensure your financial rights are protected.

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