Posted on August 31, 2020 in Immigration

The health crisis of COVID-19 has affected millions of people across the globe. Governments issued executive orders to close certain businesses and keep citizens home by limiting gatherings in an effort to stop the spread of the highly contagious virus. Many employees in all types of industries have been temporarily laid off or furloughed due to the economic hardship the coronavirus has inflicted on the world. Some business owners have even been forced to sell or dissolve their companies altogether. The economic hardship that the world is experiencing has impacted the immigration process as well. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manages the processing of applications for work permits, U.S. citizenship, Green Cards, and other immigration benefits. USCIS recently announced it would not furlough more than 13,000 employees as the agency had originally planned.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 27, 2020 in Family Law

More and more couples are getting divorced later in life. Some attribute this shift to an increase in female independence in modern relationships. Since women are no longer solely dependent on their husbands, they often feel more free to divorce their spouse if they are unhappy in their marriage. Others believe that our longer lifespans are contributing to these late-life decisions. With people living 90+ years, being married to the same person for that amount of time may not be in the cards for every couple. Known as gray divorce, getting divorced after the age of 50 brings on its own unique challenges, making it critical to hire a divorce attorney who can help you avoid making the following mistakes.

Mistake #1: Not Taking Note of Your Assets

Rarely do both spouses have an equal hand in managing the household finances. Over time, particular chores get assigned to each spouse and paying bills or managing accounts is often one of these. If you are the spouse who took on other responsibilities throughout your marriage, it is important to do your own inventory of your assets and debts. In some cases, divorcing spouses may attempt to conceal assets during the divorce to keep them for themselves. This is especially true for couples who have been married longer and have more savings and debts collected.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 25, 2020 in Personal Injury

Alcohol is a factor in over 25 percent of fatal car crashes in Illinois each year, and when the responsible party is the driver of a semi-truck, the resulting accidents can be especially devastating. Because of the vehicles’ large size and weight, truck accidents can cause severe injuries and fatalities, and they often impact several other drivers and passengers. If you are injured by an intoxicated truck driver, you will likely need compensation to cover your costly medical expenses, and it is important to know who all was at fault for the accident so that you can hold all parties accountable.

Who Is Negligent in a Truck Accident Involving Alcohol?

It may seem straightforward to determine who was at fault for a drunk driving accident, but in the case of a semi-truck accident, there could be more than one negligent party. If you are able to identify all of them, you often stand a better chance of receiving greater compensation. Potentially responsible parties include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 24, 2020 in Immigration

The U.S. immigration process can be complex, with different visas that allow immigrants to enter and remain in the country. The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is for victims of specific crimes who have sustained physical or mental abuse and who are able to assist police or government personnel in the investigation or prosecution of certain criminal offenses. Congress drafted the U nonimmigrant visa by passing the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (and the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) in the fall of 2000. The Act was signed by President Clinton and later reauthorized by Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump. The goal of this legislation was to bolster the authority of police agencies in prosecuting domestic abuse, sexual assault, undocumented immigrant trafficking, and other criminal offenses.

Eligibility for Obtaining U Visa Status

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 20, 2020 in Family Law

College is undoubtedly one of the most expensive investments that you will ever make. As college and university tuition prices continue to rise, it may seem impossible to help pay for your child’s tuition. When couples decide to have kids, oftentimes they will create a separate savings account that will be used towards their children’s tuition. However, the steady increase of tuition costs and the day-to-day costs of raising a child can leave these accounts inadequate to cover the child’s costs as they settle on which college or university to attend.

For divorcing parents, things become even more complicated. In Illinois, divorced parents are required to create a parenting plan that outlines the details of parental responsibilities, parenting schedules, and child support obligations. Unlike some other states, Illinois law addresses the topic of costs associated with college, requiring many parents to help fund their child’s education.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 18, 2020 in Personal Injury

Slip and fall accidents on business premises can happen to employees and the general public alike. Although they may seem minor at first, they can result in serious injuries and long-term disabilities depending on different factors. Businesses have a general duty of care to mitigate hazardous conditions that can lead to accidents and injuries, and if they have failed to do so, injured parties may have a case for compensation through a personal injury claim. In the unfortunate event that you are the victim of a slip, trip, and fall accident, you should be aware of some of the common causes that may point to a business’s liability.

Contributing Factors in Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen at any time of year and for a number of reasons. Some of the most common include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 17, 2020 in Immigration

There are many reasons why someone from another country may want to immigrate to the United States from his or her native land. In some cases, he or she may wish to flee religious persecution or obtain better employment or even join relatives who are already in the country. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the immigration and naturalization process.

In 2000, the LIFE Act was passed and signed into law. The Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act was established so certain non-U.S. citizens in the United States can obtain a Green Card. In many cases, they would not otherwise qualify for an adjustment of status. The LIFE Act was based on legislative changes in response to immigration enforcement. Its purpose was to find a compromise between stopping illegal immigration while recognizing that U.S. citizens’ and lawful permanent residents’ (LPR) wishes to be together with their families. It is important to note that only certain immigrants are eligible for relief under the LIFE Act. If you believe you or your family member may qualify for this opportunity, a knowledgeable immigration attorney can explain your options.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 13, 2020 in Family Law

As an outside observer, abusive relationships can be difficult to understand. For someone who has never been a victim of domestic violence, you may be wondering why the abused spouse does not leave the relationship and seek out a happier and healthier future. The people in these relationships will likely tell you that once you are in an abusive relationship, the answers that you thought were so simple no longer seem that way.

Did you know that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner? In Illinois, there were 45,319 adult survivors of domestic violence in 2019 alone. Eventually, some married couples in these abusive relationships will decide that divorce is best for their safety and happiness. However, they may need to file an order of protection to protect themselves throughout the legal proceedings.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 11, 2020 in Personal Injury

Any behavior that removes a driver’s eyes or attention away from the road can pose a danger to others and cause a serious accident, but texting while driving gets much of the attention in distracted driving discussions. Many motorists have access to a smartphone at their fingertips at all times, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that cell phone use was a factor in 14 percent of distracted driving accident fatalities in 2018. If you have been injured in an accident involving texting and driving, you should be aware of the effects that it may have on your ability to seek compensation. In some cases, a negligent driver may be found liable for your pain and suffering.

Legal Implications of Texting and Driving in Illinois

Under Illinois law, texting and driving can be a factor in both civil and criminal litigation. Cell phone use behind the wheel may affect your case in the following ways:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 10, 2020 in Immigration

There are many reasons why a person from another country may want to move to the United States, including to care for relatives, obtain a graduate degree, or to find a better occupation. In some cases, though, an individual may be fleeing religious or government persecution. In many cases, life in America can offer them many benefits.

What Is an H-1B Visa?

The U.S. government offers different types of visas for which immigrants can apply if they want to enter the country legally. These include H-1B visas, family-based visas, student visas, employment-based visas, and temporary visas. H-1B visas allow foreign nationals to work in the United States within specialized industries for a temporary period of time. However, applicants must meet specific criteria in order to be eligible for these visas, including a certain level of education.

Upon receiving the H-1B visa, the immigrant can report to work for his or her sponsoring company. After moving to the United States, the employee is allowed to seek employment with a different employer, or transfer to a different company. H-1B visas may be complicated due to certain issues, such as initial approvals and employment transfers. That is why the legal guidance of a skilled immigration lawyer can help ensure a smooth process.

Continue Reading ››