Posted on June 22, 2017 in Immigration

If a person requires a visa to visit the United States, as opposed to being able to enter on the Visa Waiver program, the most common visa he or she will seek is the B1/B2 visa. The B1 category is for business travel, with certain restrictions, and the B2 category is for pleasure. However, many misunderstand the scope of these visas and find themselves in trouble. If you fall into that trap, it can cause you immigration problems at a later instance.

You Cannot Run Your Business Under a Business Visa

Because B1/B2s are referred to as ‘business/pleasure’ visas, many who come to the U.S. for work-related reasons assume that they are able to do anything work-related under the visa and still have it be legal. This is not specifically the case.

While someone in the U.S. on a business visa may conduct work-related endeavors, such as attending conferences or interviewing and hiring potential staff, there are actions not legally permitted on such a visa, most notably any kind of “gainful employment.”

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 Posted on June 20, 2017 in Personal Injury

Illinois has some of the strictest rules for elderly drivers. Car safety experts believe that these requirements keep the roads safer and reduce motor vehicle accidents.

Illinois is the only state that requires the elderly to have their driving skills tested more often than younger drivers. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the frequent evaluations weed out the elderly drivers who are unfit to be on the road.

Illinois Laws for Elderly Drivers

State law requires that those over 75 years old to renew their driver’s licenses every four years. Part of this renewal process includes a road test. Drivers over 80 years old require renewal every two years. Drivers who are at least 87 years old are to apply for a renewal every year.

Many other states simply require in-person renewal and a satisfactory eye test. Illinois is unique in that it requires a driving test.

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 Posted on June 19, 2017 in Family Law

Divorce after the age of 50 is a growing trend – so much so that it has been named the “gray divorce.” In many ways, this is a positive thing. It means that people are living longer and can focus on their happiness and self-fulfillment. It also suggests that women are better able to support themselves, even during their retirement years. Unfortunately, there are some potential drawbacks to divorcing later in life. One of the biggest is the risk of financial loss. In some cases, the loss may be so severe that it results in divorce-induced poverty. Learn how to mitigate against this risk, as well as many others, with help from the following information.

Protecting Your Financial Well-Being

Most couples nearing retirement had originally planned to raise their children together and then enjoy their retirement years together. When retirement approaches and couples realize that they would be better on their own, they often find they are unprepared for the financial implications of divorce. Their retirement funds, which was meant to support just one lifestyle, must now cover two sets of expenses. Financial loss after divorce can impact more than just the ability to cover month-to-month expenses. It could also mean losing health insurance, which may be critical to preserving an individual’s long-term health.

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 Posted on June 14, 2017 in Immigration

Since the new administration took office in January 2017, the number of immigrants detained while their cases are pending has more than doubled, from 27 percent to 61 percent of the total. However, border crossings have dropped significantly, which means that more people from the interior of the United States—that is, people who have been living here for some time—are being arrested and detained. In some cases, even those who have legal status have been mistakenly detained by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). If it has happened to your family member or loved one, regardless of his or her legal status, there may be steps you can take to have him or her released.

Location is Critical

It is becoming increasingly more common for immigrants, especially the undocumented, to be moved to locations distant from where they have been living, so as to prevent flight. However, this can frustrate attempts by family members to assist or comfort them. As such, knowing your loved one’s alien number or A-number is the first imperative. ICE maintains a locator tool that is updated reasonably frequently, and inputting the A-number will usually give you a location unless an arrest was very recent (within hours). There is no way to tell how often your loved one may be moved, but it at least gives families a place to begin.

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 Posted on June 13, 2017 in Personal Injury

Despite advances in car technology and features, almost nothing can keep up with the drivers who get behind the wheel of a car in an impaired state. Drunk drivers continue to be a menace on the roads, putting the lives of innocent people at risk.

The carelessness and recklessness associated with a drunk driver can rip families apart and deprive victims of their quality of life—or even their life if an accident is fatal. In 2014, 38,822 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence in Illinois.

If your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, then that driver should be held accountable for getting behind the wheel drunk, and should provide compensation for your loss. Seek the services of a compassionate drunk driving accident attorney to help recover for your losses.

Blood Alcohol Levels

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 Posted on June 12, 2017 in Family Law

After a slew of changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) in 2016, families had to adjust to the new divorce laws. Now there are some new changes on the horizon – this time to the way child support is calculated in the state of Illinois. What will this mean for your case, and how can you effectively prepare? The following information explains further.

Old Child Support Calculations

Under the old child support calculation model, supporting parents paid a percentage of their net income to the receiving parent. That percentage was based on the number of shared children. For example, the paying parent would be obligated to pay 20 percent of their net income for one child, 28 percent of their net income for two children, 32 percent for three children, 45 percent for four children, and 50 percent for five or more children. Other factors, such as special needs, extra expenses, and healthcare costs might be added into the equation, but the formula was generally adhered to by the courts, except, perhaps, in high net worth divorces.

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 Posted on June 08, 2017 in Immigration

On April 21, 2017, a Nicaraguan man applying for asylum in Florida was deported back to his native country, despite a history of threats made against him, and the fact that his application was in process. There has been considerable outrage over this matter, but also some confusion.

Immigration laws are not being enforced in the manner to which most people are accustomed, and this can lead to paralysis. Understanding your rights can help protect you.

Refugees vs. Asylees

Many people who are uninformed are prone to confuse refugees and asylees, while arguing that the former should be permitted to enter the United States and the latter should not. In reality, the only real difference between the two classes is that refugees must apply for status while still outside the country, and asylees must do so after entry, regardless of whether that entry was with or without inspection. Either way, the person applying is doing so out of a well-founded, credible fear of persecution if he or she is returned to his or her home country.

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 Posted on June 06, 2017 in Personal Injury

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on another’s property, there are steps you can take to help your case in the direct aftermath of the accident and in the months that follow.

Slip and falls are created by dangerous conditions that businesses and landlords should avoid creating. These accidents can cause serious injury or aggravate existing injuries.

Follow these steps after your accident to help your recovery:

1. Take pictures at the accident scene. One of the hardest factors to prove in a slip in fall is the cause of the slip. Taking pictures at the scene—i.e. the liquid on the ground or the unevenness of the floor—will be crucial to your claim.

2. Seek all medical attention needed. It is understandable if you believe at first that you were not injured badly, yet later discover that the injury is painful and affects your life and job. Do not let such a circumstance convince you that you do not have a valid claim. It is also important to follow the doctor’s advice with regard to treatment and medication.

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 Posted on June 05, 2017 in Family Law

While alimony awards during divorce are less frequent than they once were, there are times that it is still warranted. The following information explains how you can determine if you might be entitled to support (or required to pay it). You shall also learn how support is calculated during an Illinois divorce, and why legal assistance is recommended for those dealing with alimony issues.

When Alimony May Be Owed

Many situations may lead to a ruling for alimony, but most share a common thread: one spouse is financially disadvantaged. This disadvantage could be caused by a lack of education, job experience, training, health issues, or an extended period outside of the workforce. It can also mean more than an inability to support one’s self; it might also apply if one party has become accustomed to a particular lifestyle during the marriage but is unable to maintain it on their own. The latter is typically seen in high net worth divorces, but the former may occur during any divorce case.

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 Posted on May 26, 2017 in Family Law

An annually released report from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) indicates that there are nearly 6,000 children in the custody of the state’s foster care system. Estimates suggest that there are as many as 100,000 throughout the country, waiting for a forever family. Unfortunately, there are several misconceptions about these children that ultimately decrease their rate of adoption. This misinformation is not only inaccurate, but it is also damaging to the children in urgent need of a safe and loving home. The following information combats these inaccuracies, and it provides details on where families can find assistance with the foster care adoption process.

You Will Be Pushed into Adopting Extra Children

A lot of people seem to worry that getting involved with the foster care system means taking on more children than they can handle. Quite the opposite is usually true. Although the system is certainly overloaded, DCFS tends to err on the side of caution when placing children with a family. Many of these children have already witnessed abuse or neglect; the last thing they need is a home where they do not receive the love and attention they deserve. So, if you can only adopt one child, speak up and say so. You have control over the size of your family.

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