Posted on October 17, 2019 in Family Law

For many spouses, the thought of a peaceful divorce is a definite oxymoron. With so many factors contributing to the conflicts that often plague the divorce process, it may seem almost impossible to imagine a marriage ending on friendly terms. Sensitive issues such as the division of debts, spousal support, and parenting time have the power to amplify emotions and create overwhelming tension in the midst of a separation. Working through these issues can be extremely challenging and painful, especially when interactions between parties are hostile. However, psychology experts tell us that a peaceful divorce is not a myth. Despite the fact that every divorce involves some level of loss, sadness, and hurt, it is possible to make it through the experience tranquilly and civilly.

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 Posted on October 17, 2019 in Personal Injury

Millions of car accidents occur each year in the United States, resulting in millions of people being injured and thousands of people being killed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 6.4 million police-reported traffic collisions in 2017. Of those crashes, more than 37,000 people died, and of the people who survived those traffic accidents, more than 2.7 million people suffered from injuries. There are a variety of injuries that could occur from a car crash, many of them being readily apparent, like bruising or lacerations. In some cases, injuries sustained from a car accident are not so apparent, and symptoms can appear days, weeks, or even months after the incident.

Pay Attention to Symptoms

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if certain symptoms are a result of a car accident, which is why anyone involved in a crash should keep a close eye on their symptoms and overall health in the days and weeks following the incident. Here are a few common delayed symptoms that can appear after the fact:

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 Posted on October 11, 2019 in Family Law

The emotional upheaval brought on by divorce in the family can be exhausting and intense. It can take a significant amount of time for everyone to process the event, regardless of how amicable the decision to separate may have been. The end of a marriage is particularly difficult for any children involved, as they are suddenly confronted with not only the reality that their family is changing, but also the realization that they must accept and adjust to new routines and essentially a different way of life. The result of such a big transition is a lot for children of any age, and emotional distress is both natural and inevitable. Just as adults process loss in their own way and in their own time, so too do children of divorce.

Providing Emotional Support for Your Children

It is common for parents in the midst of divorce proceedings to struggle to find the energy to extend to their child, who also needs comfort and support during such a trying time. Practicing basic self-care during the transition is critical, so you are able to recharge and be emotionally available for them. However, even under strained circumstances, there are many strategies and attitudes you can adopt that can help lighten your child’s burden, make them feel safe and loved, and maybe even lift their spirits. Here are four ways every parent can reduce the stress of divorce for their child:

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 Posted on October 11, 2019 in Personal Injury

Being in a car accident can be a very stressful and traumatic experience, especially if you are injured. If you are involved in a car accident, Illinois law states that you must stop to see if others who are involved are okay and to exchange insurance information. People who do not do so face fines, jail time, and even a driver’s license revocation. If you are in a vehicle collision, and the other person does not stop to stay at the scene or does not exchange information with you, that is called a hit-and-run crash. Being in a hit-and-run accident can cause serious stress and anxiety on your part, because you are probably worried about the financial ramifications of the accident. If you are in a hit-and-run collision, you should take certain steps to increase your chances of recovering compensation.

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 Posted on October 11, 2019 in Immigration

Migrating to the United States for occupational-related purposes can attract the interest of working professionals from all around the world. Athletes, artists, individuals on business, and laborers in search of a new skill can all seek employment in our country. With that being said, there is a requirement of a visa in order to maintain employment in the United States. Depending on the needs of the future employee, he or she can apply for either a temporary or employment-based (EB) visa. Applying for these visas can be difficult, often leaving applicants confused and missing out on future opportunities. Retaining the help of a knowledgeable immigration lawyer could protect your chance at potential residency and employment.

Temporary Work Visa

When a person wants to enter the United States for employment on a fixed timeframe that is not considered indefinite, he or she would apply for a temporary work visa. A requirement of this category is reliant on the future employer to file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Information regarding your personal accomplishments as well as a background on the job you are seeking would help decipher which temporary visa category you would fit into:

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 Posted on October 04, 2019 in Immigration

Deceitful promises of a new career and a better life in the United States is a very common fabrication that human traffickers will tell immigrants. Ranging from kidnapping to the purchase and resale of human beings, thousands of individuals are trafficked into sex slaves or labor services every day; human trafficking is one of the most prevalent crimes in the world. Nonimmigrant victims that are in the U.S. are often too afraid to come forward due to his or her legal status to remain in our country. The Victims of Trafficking in Persons (T) nonimmigrant visa can provide support to undocumented immigrants that fear deportation.

How to Qualify for a T Visa

According to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), the only federal agency allowed to designate immigrants as human trafficking victims and make them eligible for benefits and services is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In order to be considered for a T visa, the individual must:

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 Posted on October 03, 2019 in Personal Injury

Getting into a traffic accident can be a frightening experience. For people who are in enclosed vehicles, such as cars or trucks, accidents can still be alarming, but for those who are involved in accidents when they are on a motorcycle, the injuries can be much more serious and even deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2017. In Illinois alone, approximately 160 motorcyclists were killed and more than 2,500 were injured in crashes in 2017. Motorcycles pose an inherent danger to riders because of the lack of protection the vehicle provides compared to other vehicles. If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, here are a few steps you should take immediately following the crash:

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 Posted on October 03, 2019 in Family Law

Even in the midst of a divorce, when big changes are already in motion in a household, other circumstances can arise that create an even greater divide between a parent and a child. Sometimes new developments at work or with extended family surface, placing a parent in a position where he or she must decide whether or not to relocate in the wake of a divorce. In other situations, one parent simply wishes to retaliate or distance him or herself--and the child the couple shares--from the other, with hopes of starting over after the separation. Whatever the reason for a potential relocation, there are certain laws in place to govern each parent’s rights when it comes to moving after a divorce. Parents cannot simply take off and uproot their child in the process without proper court authorization and approval from the other parent. These restrictions exist for a number of reasons, one of the most important being the protection of the child’s best interests.

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 Posted on September 30, 2019 in Family Law

Under Illinois law, a person other than a child's legal parent may be appointed to act as their legal guardian. While guardianship is considered a separate type of legal proceeding from the dissolution of marriage, the issue may arise when a minor child's legal parent is going through a divorce. Guardianship can be sought by grandparents, even when the legal parents are not divorcing or planning to end their marriage.

Why a Grandparent May Need Guardianship

There are many reasons why a grandparent may need guardianship. The grandparent may be taking care of the minor child after the divorce of the child's parents, and they may need the legal authority to make decisions that affect the child’s life. For example, legal guardianship may be required to include the child in the grandparent’s insurance coverage or to register the child in school.

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 Posted on September 26, 2019 in Personal Injury

There are very few things in this world that are strictly black and white. When it comes to personal injury claims, specifically for auto accident injuries, it can be difficult to place all of the blame on one person. Many car accidents involve actions by more than one driver that led to the crash. In some cases, the person making the injury claim may have even played a role in causing the collision. However, that does not necessarily mean that he or she is unable to claim compensation for injuries suffered in the accident.

Determining Fault for an Accident

After a car accident, the primary task is determining who is at fault for the crash. Figuring out who is liable can be difficult, because the events of the accident must be pieced together. To prove fault, you will have to show that the other driver was responsible for causing you harm, resulting in damages. Typically, this means you are providing evidence that another person acted negligently. In some cases, there may be more than one party responsible for causing the accident, or you may even have played a part in causing the accident. This is when the concept of comparative negligence comes into play.

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