Posted on July 17, 2017 in Family Law

Although the adoption laws in Illinois are geared primarily toward children, the state also allows for adult adoptions. Much like child adoption, it offers the benefit of a legally binding parent-child relationship, just as if the adult had been biologically born to the adopting person. How exactly does this process work, and why should you consider it for your family? The following explains.

Why Adopt an Adult?

Adult adoptions in Illinois rare, but they offer numerous benefits to both the adopting individual and adopted adult. Deemed the legal “child” of the adopting “parent,” the adopted adult becomes eligible for any inheritance that may be left behind once the adopting parent passes. Adoption also ensures the child has legal rights to make medical decisions for the adopting parent, should they ever become incapacitated or otherwise incapable of making such decisions themselves. In situations involving an adult child with disabilities, adoption can also give legal rights to an adopting parent, which they may need to secure benefits for the adult child.

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 Posted on July 16, 2017 in Family Law

Although there are exceptions, most married couples fall under the same insurance plan. What happens, though, if the couple then goes through a divorce? Is each party then responsible for their own insurance, or is there a way to continue coverage on a spouse’s plan? Are there other alternatives for disadvantaged spouses who may not otherwise have insurance? The following offers some advice on how to manage your insurance plans after divorce, including when and how to find new insurance if you will no longer be covered after divorce.

Health Insurance After Divorce

If you were covered under your spouse’s insurance plan during the marriage, you can attempt to maintain coverage under your spouse’s workplace plan through COBRA. Unfortunately, this is rarely a cost effective method for maintaining insurance; you may be better off paying for private health insurance. Alternatively, you can seek insurance through your own employer, the health insurance plan marketplace, or you can apply for Medicare or Medicaid (depending on your age). Note that your children may still be covered under your spouse’s plan, but you may be required to help cover a portion of it.

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 Posted on July 13, 2017 in Personal Injury

Any dog can bite a person, and when one does, owners often respond by stating that their dog "has never behaved like this before.” Just like humans, dogs can have a “bad day,” be pushed to their limit, and lash out at even those they love most.

Nearly half of reported dog bites come from a family or neighbor dog—those who have live in close relation with a canine. Sadly, a large number of dog bite victims are children. All dogs have the proclivity to bite, regardless of temperament and past experiences.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

As humans, we have our words to explain to others when we do not feel well, if we are scared, or if we simply want to be left alone. Dogs do not have this luxury. Sure they can bark, yet how much can we understand from a bark? Yes, there are different pitches and inflections that enables dog owners to differentiate between “I want a treat” and “I want to go outside.” However, we mostly depend on body language. Unfortunately, too many people misread or fail to recognize these signals, and the dog uses the only other tool they have left—their mouth.

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 Posted on July 10, 2017 in Immigration

Sometimes, as hard as we fight, we fail to prevent deportation. There are a variety of reasons why your petition or appeal might have been declined, and if you exhaust all possible remedies, you will be removed. However, that does not necessarily end the story. Some admit defeat and resign themselves to building a life in their country of origin, despite not having any experience there since childhood. Others explore the options they have to return to the United States from their position outside. Whichever choice you decide, it is important to understand the odds of being able to return before a bar runs out.

Immigration Bars & Waivers

If you are deported from the United States, an immigration bar will be assessed against you, which can be a term of three, five, 10 or 20 years. It is important to understand, possibly above all else, that the expiration of an immigration bar on your record does not mean that you may simply walk back into the U.S. without any potential problems. It only means you may apply for permission to ask for a new visa or green card. The only way to get around an immigration bar is to apply for one of two types of waivers: first, if you are the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and your being barred from the U.S. would cause them (not you) exceptional and extremely unusual hardship.

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 Posted on July 07, 2017 in Family Law

Divorce is one of the more traumatizing events that a child can go through, but it does not have to be all bad. In fact, studies have shown that it is often the contention and stress of divorce that causes problems for kids, not necessarily the divorce itself. What does that mean, though, when it comes to your child?

It means that you, the parent, may be able to mitigate against the potentially damaging effects of divorce. All you need is a little know-how, a lot of support, and a willingness to keep your child’s needs front and center throughout the divorce process. The following information provides details on the first element, and it explains where you can find assistance with the rest.

Infants and Divorce

Though babies do not typically understand what is happening to their family, or why, they are sensitive to the stress of divorce – especially if there is a lot of contention, arguing, or a significant change in their schedules. Symptoms of that stress can include everything from clinginess and emotional outbursts to regression and developmental delays. Parents can mitigate against it by maintaining a consistent schedule (or as close to normal as possible), and by ensuring that arguments are not taking place in front of or around the child. Parents are also encouraged to de-stress regularly to avoid stressing their child.

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 Posted on July 04, 2017 in Personal Injury

The number of trucks involved in deadly accidents has risen 8 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to the latest data available. In 2015, according to the the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 415,000 accidents involving 18-wheelers reported to police.

Of these, 1 percent involved at least one fatality, and in 20 percent of the accidents, injuries were sustained. That means there were about 83,000 accidents last year involving tractor-trailers that caused injury.

As for the number of fatal crashes reported in 2015, the FMCSA reports that there were 3,598 deadly accidents involving 4,050 tractor-trailers. The 18-wheeler involvement rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by tractor-trailer trucks also rose by 8 percent from 1.34 to 1.45.

Why Are Truck Accidents Rising?

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 Posted on July 04, 2017 in Immigration

Given the current state of military technology, fewer people are signing up to join the service than was once perhaps the case. This, along with a general, growing distaste for constant conflict, has led the United States military to consider other options. If you fit certain characteristics, you may be eligible to claim U.S. citizenship after your military service has been completed; still, this is not the case for every enlisted person. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the program.

Origins of the Program

Many, many people have joined the U.S. military in order to seek citizenship, but only since 2002 has the process been expedited specifically for military personnel. In the days following the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush authorized a quicker citizenship processing time for military recruits via executive order, knowing that the military would need to grow in size rapidly as it was pledged to attack terrorist cells around the globe. Recruits with potential to become translators or cultural experts were prioritized; however, anyone who met the requirements was permitted to go through the process. In 2009 it was expanded, with recruits getting the opportunity to naturalize at the end of basic training.

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 Posted on June 29, 2017 in Immigration

When a person applies for a nonimmigrant visa to visit the United States, there are strict requirements he or she must fulfill before the visa will be granted. (This applies even to countries that are a part of the Visa Waiver program, if they have a specific purpose in coming into the country.) While these requirements have been reviewed and slated for modification in recent months, there are certain factors that remain unchanged. One of these is the issue of immigrant intent. If you do not understand the rule, immigration issues may result.

Presumption of Intent – By Law

Section 214(b) of the Immigration & Nationality Act states explicitly that U.S. consular officers must presume that everyone who applies for a nonimmigrant visa has immigrant intent—that is, the intent to remain in the United States despite the fact that nonimmigrant visa applicants pledge to return home after their business is concluded. This means that it is not personal—no matter how you appear or how you speak, the consular officer is required to suspect that you have lied on your application.

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 Posted on June 28, 2017 in Family Law

Hollywood often portrays divorce as simple and clear-cut, but real-life divorce is rarely straightforward. The reasons, though irrelevant in the courtroom, are often complex and multi-faceted, and couples often experience intense emotions. Also, contrary to the myth, some couples divorce but still love one another. How do you navigate such a painful process when you still have feelings for your spouse? The following explains, and it provides you with some valuable information on the Illinois divorce process.

Love and Divorce

Loving a spouse does not mean divorce is off the table. In fact, many marriages end, despite a shared love between the parties. Some begin to recognize that the relationship is toxic. Others may feel as though they are being held back by their spouse’s lack of ambition or adventure. Some have started to realize they would be happier on their own.

The reasons that couples want to divorce are not incorrect or invalid, but neither is the love that they still share. To move forward, couples typically need to separate the legal aspects of divorce from the emotional ones. Knowing you can walk away as friends or, at the very least, amicable, can be a motivating factor for learning how to do this.

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 Posted on June 27, 2017 in Personal Injury

While most traffic accidents can be attributed to driver error, there are thousands of car crashes that take place each year due to improper vehicle maintenance. These accidents are likely preventable if the driver had taken care of his or her car in a responsible way.

If you believe that improper vehicle maintenance caused a car accident that left you injured, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. You should not be forced to pay for your medical bills and may be eligible for other types of compensation.

Top Maintenance-Related Causes of Accidents

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, there are several reasons why a vehicle in poor repair could cause an accident:

1. Tires or wheels. This accounts for 35 percent of accidents where it was noted that the vehicle (as opposed to the driver) had critically contributed to an accident. Tire blowouts can cause a car to spin out of control and hit other motor vehicles on the road. Blowouts can be caused by under- or over-inflated tires as well as tires that should have been replaced due to mileage limits. Worn tires do not always lead to blowouts. They can, however, affect a car’s ability to stop or navigate in rain or snow.

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