Posted on April 03, 2019 in Family Law

Money is at the top of mind for most people when they are looking to hire an attorney. This is especially true in divorce cases, with many clients concerned with asset division and the like. As a result, many people tend to gravitate toward the cheapest legal option. But that can often end up costing you in the long term. In this article, we are going to discuss a few hidden issues with “cheap” divorces that can end up costing you more than you think in the long run.

Hidden Fees & Costs

If you see an advertisement for a “$99 Divorce” you need to be aware of other hidden costs and fees that are not included in that cost. For example, you may need to pay court filing fees, and costs for additional paperwork that may come up during the course of the proceedings. These fees can add up and are often not included in the advertised price.

Lack of Experience

Many attorneys or firms that advertise low cost divorce options do not have a lot of experience working on divorce cases. Sometimes a law clerk will be assigned to handle the vast majority of your paperwork, with an actual attorney only looking at the finalized documents for a few minutes before signing.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 27, 2019 in Criminal Law

Appearing in court after being charged with a crime is a nerve-wracking thing for many people. But there are proactive steps you can take to make the process smooth and simple. In this article, we are going to offer a few tips for making sure your court appearance goes as well as it possibly can.

Consult with an Attorney

The best thing you can do for yourself prior to a court appearance is to consult with an attorney. A lawyer can examine the details surrounding your case and provide you with insight and counsel. Remember – your attorney’s number one job is to protect your best interests and defend your rights. They will also be able to walk you through the logistics of a court appearance – where to show up, what paperwork needs to be filed, etc.

Be Careful of What you Post to Social Media

Anything you post to Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media platform is admissible in court. Keep that in mind when posting and sharing online. Avoid making comments about your case completely and don’t do anything stupid.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 20, 2019 in Criminal Law

Harassment is a serious crime in the state of Illinois, but there are a lot of nuances and complexities when it comes to defining harassment. The focus of this article is harassment crimes in Illinois. We’ll discuss the types of harassment and how to deal with a harassment charge.

Defining Harassment Under Illinois Law

In Illinois, Harassment is defined under 720 ILCS 135. In general, harassment is defined as “intentional acts which can cause someone to be worried, anxious, or uncomfortable.” There are a few different types of harassment under state law including: harassment by telephone, and harassment by electronic communications.

Harassment by Telephone

You can be charged with harassment by telephone if you use a phone to do any of the following:

• Place obscene calls with the intent to offend.
• Place a call with the intent to threaten, abuse, or harass someone.
• Place repeated calls to a person with the intent to harass.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 13, 2019 in Family Law

There are many elements of any given divorce case – from child custody to asset division. In this article, we will guide you through the spousal maintenance process in Illinois and highlight some of the things you need to be aware of when it comes to this topic.

Defining Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance is essential a way of distributing marital property assets in a divorce case. Oftentimes in a divorce case, one party makes more (or has the ability to make more) than the other party. During a marriage, this is not typically an issue, as both parties can share these assets. However, during a divorce this can be a huge point of contention.

Temporary vs. Permanent

There are two basic types of spousal maintenance in Illinois – temporary and permanent. Temporary spousal maintenance is typically ordered as a temporary measure during the divorce proceedings while a more permanent solution is found. Permanent spousal maintenance is a long-term agreement that governs the future finances of both parties after the divorce.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 06, 2019 in DUI

Many people think DUI indicates that a person was driving under the influence of alcohol. However, the law is broader than that and can encompass people who are under the influence of alcohol, and/or drugs. In this article, we are going to discuss a lesser known type of DUI charge in Illinois – the drugged driving charge.

What is a Drugged Driving Charge?

Drugged driving is a type of DUI that indicates the driver was under the influence of prescription or illegal drugs while driving. In Illinois (according to 625 ILCS 5/11-501), a person can be charged with a DUI by doing any of the following:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Driving under the influence of prescription drugs
• Driving under the influence of illegal drugs
• Driving under the influence of any intoxicating compound

Proving Drugged Driving Charges

When it comes to DUIs involving drugs, there is a distinction made between driving under the influence of illegal drugs, and driving under the influence of prescription drugs. In order to convict a person of an illegal drug DUI charge, the state simply needs to prove that the defendant was under the influence of illegal drugs at the time of driving.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 27, 2019 in Criminal Law

In Illinois, the appeals process allows you to ask a higher court to take a look at a legal case that has already received a verdict. So if you’ve been wrongly convicted of a crime, you have the right to appeal your case to a higher court. The appeals process is complex. In this article, we are going to take a look at the appeals process in the state of Illinois.

The Definition of an Appeal

Put simply, an appeal is the act of asking a higher court to reconsider a previous conviction or judge’s ruling. Generally, appeals must be based on some legal error that occurred in the original case in order to hold any water. The appellant (the defendant from the previous case being appealed), must prove that legal mistakes caused them to receive an unfair or biased trial that ultimately resulted in an unfair conviction or sentence.

The Process

When am appeal is submitted, the court examines the records from the initial court proceedings from the case being appealed. They will also consider briefs written by both sides that explain the specific issues at question and why there is an alleged violation of the appellant’s rights. The appeals court may also hear oral arguments from both sides during the process.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 20, 2019 in Personal Injury

Winters in Illinois can be pretty harsh, as anyone who lives here can tell you. The simple act of driving to and from work each day can be dangerous due to the harsh road conditions we often experience. Being involved in a car accident can lead to physical injuries, as well as personal injury claims. It’s important to take precautions and be proactive about avoiding accidents on the road during the winter months. In this article, we will offer some tips to avoid a car accident in Illinois this winter.

Take Things Slow

When in doubt, slow down. This may seem obvious, but speeding is one of the primary causes of auto accidents in the winter. Icy road conditions make it more difficult for your car to stop and turn effectively. Be sure to take that into account when on the road and take things slower than you would in the summer months.

Focus on Car Safety

Making sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving conditions is also essential to protect yourself from auto accidents. Check your fluid levels regularly so you don’t run, get an oil change if you’re due for one, and swap out your normal tires for winter tires. It’s also a good idea to keep some winter essentials with you at all times – including a blanket, boots, jumper cables, flashlight, and ice scraper.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 13, 2019 in Criminal Law

When faced with a legal issue, many people ask themselves whether or not they need to hire an attorney. This can be a tough decision for many. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when you’re considering whether or not to hire an attorney.

Can You Afford Not to Hire an Attorney?

The first thing on everyone’s mind when considering whether or not to work with an attorney is money. How much does it cost to hire a lawyer? Is it affordable? The answers to these questions will vary based on the legal situation you’re dealing with and the lawyer in question. However, if you decide to go with a DIY approach and not hire an attorney, you may end up spending more over the long-term. If you mess up a form filing, you’ll have to pay to file it again. If you need to appear in court and you don’t have an attorney to do it on your behalf, you may need to miss work and forgo earned income. Can you afford that?

Who is Going to Defend Your Rights?

When facing a criminal charge or a civil suit, everyone in the process has their own agenda. Many people get duped into thinking the police are on their side. In reality, the police are doing everything they can to build their case. But when you hire an attorney, they are legally bound to protect your rights at every turn.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 06, 2019 in Civil law

One of the most common points of dispute among tenants and landlords is the security deposit. However, many of these disputes can be prevented with better communication. In this article, we are going to offer up a few tips for landlords to avoid security deposit disputes in Illinois, and what to do if your tenant takes legal action against you for a security deposit dispute.

Create a Detailed Move-Out Letter

Providing your tenant with a detailed move-out letter will help ensure that you and your tenant are on the same page as far as move-out expectations. This can also be shown in a potential small claims suit to demonstrate that you listed potential areas of deduction.

Use a Landlord-Tenant Checklist

A landlord-tenant checklist is a useful itemized list of all the things in the unit that need to be fixed (along with associated costs). You can send a carbon copy to your tenant for their records after the inspection.

Record the Inspection

Another tip is to videotape and/or photograph your move-out inspection. This will offer objective evidence of any items that need to be fixed that you can bring up in court if need be.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 30, 2019 in Civil law

Each of us enters into several contracts every day – whether we realize it or not. Contracts can be verbal or written. Contracts can also be breached, which can lead to a host of additional legal issues. In this article, we are going to talk about what you need to know about Illinois breach of contract law.

Common Types of Contracts

There are many different types of contracts that one could enter into in the state of Illinois. Here are a few of the most common types of contracts:

• Business-Employee Contracts
• Non-Compete/Non-Disclosure
• Business-to-Business Contracts
• Utilities Contracts
• Purchase of Goods or Services
• Real Estate Transactions
• Rental & Lease Agreements

Forming a Contract

Under Illinois law, a contract is entered into when three criteria are met. Here are those three criteria that need to be met in order to form a contract:

• An offer by one party

Continue Reading ››