Posted on September 15,2024 in Divorce

In some cases, a parent is looking for any reason to have the court give him or her primary custody (parenting time and decision-making authority) while the other parent receives visitation (known as parenting time in Illinois). Custody decisions can get contentious and messy, and it can take months for a judge to make a final decision. Parents have even been known to use underhanded tricks, so they will be considered the better parent by the court. One parent bad-mouthing the other to the children is so common it even has a name - parental alienation.

One parent may magnify the smallest issue to gain an advantage in the custody decision. This can include a parent’s illness, among other reasons. On the flip side, a parent who has recently been diagnosed with cancer or another serious medical issue may recognize they are not able right now to be an effective parent. This could result in the other parent being given primary custody, at least for the time being. For parents whose spouse is using an illness to gain primary custody, experienced legal assistance is vital. A Wheaton, IL child custody attorney from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC is ready to fight for you, your child, and your rights.

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 Posted on September 15,2024 in Family Law

If you had to deal with domestic abuse during your marriage or during your divorce, you may be anxious about whether your ex can get parenting time with your children. Domestic violence impacts thousands of Illinois families each year, and no one would dispute that domestic violence is not healthy for childhood development. Illinois courts do pay special attention to claims of domestic violence when deciding child related issues, but unless the abused spouse filed police reports and shared the abuse with friends or family members, it can be difficult to prove.

Since the courts always work toward an allocation of parental responsibilities that reflect the best interests of the child, they will not choose to put a child with a domestic abuser. However, it can be a complex issue. If you are facing a spouse who abused you during your marriage and perhaps even abused your children, you must speak to a knowledgeable St. Charles, IL child custody lawyer from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC.

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 Posted on September 15,2024 in Sexual Harassment

Thirty-eight percent of all women and 14 percent of all men have reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace. However, more than three-quarters (78.2 percent) of all sexual harassment workplace claims are filed by women. Although most of us are aware of the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace, we may not think about such behaviors occurring during a job interview.

Unfortunately, sexual harassment during a job interview is more common than you might think. Interviewing for your dream job can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing. While you may have stressed over what to wear and fussed over your resume, you probably did not expect to be faced with sexual harassment during your interview.

There are two types of sexual harassment - quid pro quo and a hostile work environment. Quid pro quo occurs when you are offered something (a job, promotion, raise) in return for sexual favors and is the type most likely to occur at a job interview. If you experience sexual harassment during your interview, the way you handle the situation can determine whether you will be able to sue for damages. Perhaps the most difficult part of building a case will be offering proof of the sexual harassment.

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 Posted on August 31,2024 in Divorce

Divorce issues, including spousal support, are usually complex and emotional. When you add a non-citizen spouse into the mix, the complexities can grow exponentially. Green card holders are immigrants to America who have permanent residence status rather than full American citizenship. This status is usually obtained through marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Few U.S. citizens who marry a non-citizen fully understand the long-term implications of signing a USCIS Form I-864, also known as an Affidavit of Support. Once signed, the I-864 form creates a sponsor obligation that requires the U.S. citizen to annually support the immigrant at an amount equal to 125 percent of the U.S. Poverty Guidelines.

The sponsor/spouse must continue to support the non-citizen spouse until he or she becomes a U.S. citizen, permanently leaves the United States, earns 40 work quarters (10 years) credited to Social Security, or dies. You may have noticed that divorce is not on the list. So, does this mean that when a U.S. Citizen divorces a spouse who has permanent residence status, the immigrant spouse will have to be supported…forever?

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 Posted on August 31,2024 in Divorce

There are plenty of things parents disagree about during a divorce, and child custody is certainly at the top of the list. In the state of Illinois, child custody is now referred to as the allocation of parental responsibilities. Judges make custody and pargeting time decisions based on the best interests of the child. Regardless of what the parents want or need, the best interests of the child always take precedence.

What happens when the best interests of the child and the rights of the parent collide? Perhaps the parents have different religions with vastly different beliefs, or one is very religious while the other is an atheist. If each parent is adamant that the child be raised according to his or her own beliefs, how will a judge make this determination? While the parents' religious beliefs will not determine custody, they could have some influence over custody decisions. 

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 Posted on August 31,2024 in Sexual Harassment

Every human being, no matter how enlightened, accepting, or empathetic, has biases. Biases lead to stereotypes, which build up prejudices, which lead us to discriminate (positively or negatively) against others. Cognitive bias allows human beings to analyze a new situation quickly. This helps our brains sift through the millions of pieces of information we receive, but it can also lead to errors in reasoning.

While stereotyping others can be relatively innocuous, it can also cause serious consequences for those who are stereotyped. A prime example is the fact that sexual harassment claims by "non-typical" women are often perceived as less credible. In short, less "feminine" women, as well as overweight women, may not be believed when they report sexual harassment.

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 Posted on August 15,2024 in Family Law

Division of assets, spousal support, allocation of parental responsibility, and determination of child support are all potential areas of contention in a divorce. Despite the fact that child support is determined based on a specific formula, the parent paying child support often feels like the amount is unfair, while the parent receiving child support may feel as though it is insufficient for the actual needs of the child. When a divorce is reaching the child support determination phase, both parents will need to provide accurate financial records so a proper amount can be determined.

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 Posted on August 15,2024 in Family Law

Only five states allow civil unions: Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Vermont, and New Jersey. Because civil unions are relatively rare, few people understand what they are and why someone would choose one over a more traditional marriage. While both marriage and a civil union provide legal protections and can signify commitment between two adults, there are some important distinctions between the two.

Read about the differences below, then speak to an experienced family law attorney from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC. (MKFM Law), to delve further into the issue. Whether you decide to enter into a traditional marriage or a civil union with your partner, having a knowledgeable St. Charles, IL family law attorney helping you with such an important decision is essential.

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 Posted on August 15,2024

About 40 percent of employees admit to experiencing or witnessing workplace discrimination and sexual harassment at work. Since these issues threaten employee safety, they simply cannot be ignored. While some employers may think the behaviors will go away if they ignore them, workplace harassment must be dealt with quickly and decisively.

If you have experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, or bullying at work and your workplace has turned into a hostile work environment as a result, you need a strong legal advocate who will fight for your rights.

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 Posted on July 29,2024 in Main

 While awareness about the need to address sexual harassment in the workplace has increased over the past few decades, sexual harassment continues to affect people in many industries. People who experience sexual harassment may suffer from emotional trauma and other issues affecting their job performance, and they may also experience retaliation after reporting harassment to their employers.

If you are experiencing sexual harassment at work, documenting the harassment, its effects, and the company’s response is crucial, since it can help you build a strong case for compensation for the harm you have suffered. An experienced employment litigation attorney can help you understand your rights and options and can work with you to take action against the person who committed the harassment and/or your employer.

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