Posted on May 19, 2020 in Immigration

Immigration can be a complex process that involves many legal steps. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manages the nation’s immigration system by safeguarding its integrity. USCIS fairly adjudicates requests for immigration benefits while protecting American citizens and securing our country. U.S. immigration laws include different rules governing whether non-citizens may be deported back to their native country or prohibited from entering the United States. The laws separate these grounds into two distinct categories: grounds of inadmissibility and grounds of deportability. It is important to understand what actions constitute both of these since it can significantly alter the outcome of an immigration case.

Grounds for Inadmissibility

These grounds apply to an individual who would like to be admitted to the United States, including entry and the right to remain in the country legally with a Green Card, also known as lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.

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 Posted on May 14, 2020 in Family Law

While it is true that the effects of divorce vary from person to person and family to family, psychology experts reveal that certain circumstances, such as the environment created by a contentious divorce, can be particularly detrimental. This is especially true for children, and high levels of conflict between parents can affect their development. Having a positive co-parenting strategy in place as you move throughout the divorce process can make a big difference when it comes to your child’s mental health. However, for many couples, it is not always easy to enforce such a plan when the relationship is a contentious one.

Negative Effects of Divorce on Kids and What You Can Do to Help

It can be difficult for parents to face the reality of the negative impact of divorce on their kids, but the good news is that studies show that healthy co-parenting cannot only help your kids, but it can help you too. When parents attempt to collaborate peacefully during their divorce, this will lessen their child’s distress, and it can reduce stress for parents as well. Here are some major ways that a high-conflict divorce can impact your child and what you can do to ease the burden:

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 Posted on May 08, 2020 in Family Law

Amid the coronavirus crisis and the many stay-at-home orders in effect across the country, families everywhere have been struggling with stress at home on unprecedented levels. Time magazine reports that other countries, such as China, have seen a major spike in divorce filings now that people are able to go out and about again, and in many places, domestic violence has been on the rise for those who are still stuck at home. This is all very grim news, but experts have pointed out some key observations about these troubling trends, and this may offer some insight and help for those currently struggling in their own marriages as the pandemic continues.

Factors Currently Contributing to Marriage and Family Stress at Home

The reported surge of divorce filings in China following recent stay-at-home orders suggests that couples who were already experiencing tension and potential separation likely felt an even greater strain once confined to the home together for an extended period of time. The same circumstances are undoubtedly arising right here in Illinois and across the United States. Experts highlight the fact that not only are families currently experiencing major financial stress due to job loss, they are also limited in living space and in alone time. This is especially true for those who share children and are now forced to manage and cope with the kids being home every day, around the clock. Additionally, there is anxiety circulating throughout the home about family members getting sick, when normal routines will resume, and a general sense of uncertainty about the future.

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 Posted on May 07, 2020 in Personal Injury

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 6.7 million vehicle crashes occur each year, resulting in more than 36,000 deaths and 2.7 million people injured. Studies have found that the most common cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the general population is car accidents. In fact, a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health found that nearly 40 percent of survivors of motor vehicle accidents developed PTSD. Following a collision, you may not only suffer from emotional trauma, but you likely will also experience physical injuries, in addition to extensive damage to your vehicle. If you have been a victim of a car accident, you should speak with an Illinois personal injury lawyer right away.

Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Trauma

Getting into a car accident is a major event for anyone involved. It is completely normal for you to feel a range of emotions after the accident, especially after the adrenaline wears off. You may immediately recognize some of these feelings, but it may take days or even months to notice the full effects of the crash. Common signs of emotional trauma after an automobile collision include:

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 Posted on May 05, 2020 in Immigration

Even if you are a citizen of the United States, you may have relatives who are not. Whether you were born here or immigrated to this country later in life, you can help other relatives become lawful permanent residents (LPR) by obtaining a Green Card. In order to do so legally, you need to sponsor your family member and be able to prove that you have an adequate income or assets to support him or her upon entrance to the United States. Once your relative arrives, it may take some time for him or her to acclimate to the new culture. Your community may have resources that are dedicated to refugees, immigrants, and international visitors to ease the transition.

U.S. Immigration Law

The law gives special consideration to immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen, which means there is no waiting list to immigrate these relatives. Immediate family members include:

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 Posted on April 28, 2020 in Immigration

In response to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the United States federal government has passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This stimulus package will allocate trillions of dollars to struggling citizens and businesses due to the economic downturn that the virus has caused. Many people all over the world may have questions regarding government services during this uncertain time, such as the immigration process. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that the Public Charge Rule will not restrict access to testing, screening, or treatment of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

The Public Charge Rule and Stimulus Payments

According to U.S. immigration law, the Public Charge Rule outlines that immigrants to the United States who are classified as “likely” to become a Public Charge may be denied visas or lawful entrance to the country based on their disabilities or inadequate economic resources.

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 Posted on April 20, 2020 in Family Law

Divorce is often viewed as a tumultuous process, but this is not always the case. In fact, some couples still value their bond and prefer to end things peacefully. Others recognize that fighting increases the financial and emotional costs for everyone involved. In these situations, parties may opt to pursue alternative dispute resolution over a litigated divorce. However, this path may not be right for every couple, and litigation may be the only way to successfully finalize a divorce.

Mediation or Litigation?

If you are considering using mediation during your divorce, it is important to know that victims of any form of abuse (mental, physical, or financial) are generally encouraged to lean towards litigation instead, as it tends to offer greater protection throughout the divorce process. Litigation is also preferred when there is suspicion of hidden assets. However, contention or disputes between the parties do not mean that a couple cannot pursue alternative dispute resolution; if anything, this particular divorce path may offer some benefits for couples, as long as both parties are at willing to bring their concerns and disagreements to the table in a civil manner. Both parties are encouraged to work together and reach a compromise on sensitive matters, like the division of assets and the creation of a parenting plan. The goal is to make sure that each party walks away with at least some of what they want and a fair portion of what they deserve.

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 Posted on April 16, 2020 in Personal Injury

Each year, millions of traffic crashes occur in the United States. While most of these collisions end up only causing property damage, there are millions of car accidents that end up causing extensive injuries, or they may even result in death. According to the latest information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 35,000 traffic fatalities in 2018, with more than 2.7 million people injured from crashes in the same year. Some of the most common injuries stemming from traffic accidents are traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which can be severe. If you have suffered a brain injury in a traffic accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your options for seeking compensation.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a person suffers a violent blow or jolt to the brain. TBIs can also be caused by an object penetrating the brain tissue, such as a bullet. The Mayo Clinic states that traumatic brain injuries are often a result of car accidents, although the severity of the injury varies depending on the circumstances of the crash. For example, the use of a seat belt, objects that struck a person's head in a collision, and the speed of the vehicle can all affect the degree of injury.

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 Posted on April 13, 2020 in Family Law

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) reports that one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. Married couples hear these kinds of statistics often, but the challenges for divorcing parents do not truly become a reality until their marriage becomes a part of this statistic. For parents experiencing a high-conflict divorce, these challenges can be detrimental to the whole family, especially to the children.

How to Help Your Children During Divorce

The very nature of divorce makes the process difficult for everyone involved. Even the most amicable, peaceful separations can dig up many mixed emotions for the family. Much like other losses in life, divorce grief usually unravels in layers over time. Just when you think you may be out of the woods and on the road to healing, a simple memory or argument can trigger an emotional setback. Children who witness episodes of high conflict between their parents during their separation tend to suffer the most, but there are steps parents can take to lessen these negative effects, including:

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 Posted on April 08, 2020 in Personal Injury

Everyone has their own preferred method of transportation, but we are all pedestrians at some point throughout our lifetime. Unfortunately, pedestrians were one of the groups that saw an increase in traffic fatalities in 2018. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 6,000 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2018. This is the highest number of pedestrian deaths that have been recorded since 1990, prompting much concern about the safety of our nation’s pedestrians. In many cases, pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent drivers. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a pedestrian traffic accident, an Illinois personal injury attorney can help you take the legal necessary steps to recover compensation.

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