Posted on June 10, 2022 in Main

If your marriage is nearing its end and divorce is inevitable, you may be interested in alternative resolution methods like divorce mediation. Mediation is a process during which divorcing spouses discuss divorce issues like asset division, child custody, and spousal support in hopes of resolving the issues amicably. Mediation can be beneficial for couples hoping to avoid stressful litigation. However, mediation is not a practical solution in every divorce case.

Mediation May Help Couples Identify and Resolve Disagreements

Divorcing spouses who can reach an agreement on the relevant divorce issues can save themselves time, money, and aggravation. During divorce mediation, divorcing spouses work with a specially trained mediator who facilitates constructive conversation about how to divide property and debt, what to do with the marital home, how to share parental responsibilities and parenting time, and other crucial issues.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 26, 2022 in Kane

Many people who get divorced have never participated in a legal proceeding before. The divorce process can be daunting legally, financially, and personally. Television shows and movies depicting divorce as a dramatic courtroom battle only increase divorcing parties' fear and apprehension.

Fortunately, divorce is rarely as litigious as TV shows would lead one to believe. Only a small percentage of divorce cases end up at trial. The rest are resolved through a mutually agreed-upon settlement.

If you are getting divorced, you do not have to undertake this process on your own. An experienced divorce lawyer can provide trustworthy legal advice and guidance from beginning to end.

Alleviating the Emotional Burden

Divorce lawyers offer a multitude of benefits, but perhaps the greatest benefit is minimizing the burden on the divorcing spouse. Going through a divorce is ranked as the second most stressful life experience someone can endure. Ending a marriage can be exhausting and overwhelming. When you work with an attorney, you know you are not bearing this load on your own.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 24, 2022 in Main

Working Americans count on Social Security benefits to help them cover expenses after they retire. For many people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, Social Security is their main source of income.

If you are getting divorced, you may have questions and concerns about how the divorce will influence your ability to receive Social Security benefits upon retirement. Stay-at-home parents, homemakers, and those who were not the primary earner in their marriage often worry that divorce will impede their retirement. Breadwinning spouses may wonder if their soon-to-be ex-spouse will be able to take some of their Social Security benefits, leaving them with less to live on during retirement.

Understanding Social Security Benefits

Social Security was established in 1935 through the Social Security Act. The benefits provide retirement income based on an individual's work history. Most people who have worked in the private sector for ten years or longer are eligible for Social Security benefits once they turn 62 years old. The amount of money they can receive is based on their contributions to Social Security during their working lives. People can start collecting Social Security at age 62, but they do not receive the full amount unless they wait until full retirement age.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 18, 2022 in Kane

Most people assume that once their divorce is finalized, they are done with the divorce process and can relax. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some former spouses refuse to comply with the terms of their divorce judgment. They stop paying child support, fail to provide the spousal maintenance required, or ignore asset division terms. If your ex-spouse is not complying with the terms of your divorce, do not wait to take action. Contact an experienced divorce lawyer for help right away.

Property Division in Divorce

The division of assets and debts is often a crucial aspect of a divorce case. Property division may be resolved through a negotiated settlement between the parties or the result of a Judgment entered after a trial. Regardless of how the divorce was resolved, the spouses are expected to follow through with the final divorce decree.

If your spouse has not complied with property decisions, you can file a Petition for Rule to Show Cause. The court may charge the non-compliant spouse with contempt if he or she refuses to comply

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 18, 2022 in Main

Illinois employees are protected from harassment and discrimination by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Illinois Human Rights Act, and other legislation. Unfortunately, sexual harassment continues to be an issue in Illinois and throughout the United States. Harassment can come in many forms. Some workers are exposed to crude jokes and offensive remarks. Others are touched inappropriately without their consent while simply trying to do their jobs. Employees may also deal with managers, supervisors, or employers who attempt to gain sexual favors by offering work-related benefits.

Research shows that workers in the manufacturing industry are exposed to sexual harassment at an especially high rate. Both women and men who work in manufacturing may be victims of sexual harassment. If you or a loved one were the victim of sexual harassment while working in the manufacturing industry, read on to learn about how to address the situation.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 04, 2022 in Main

Grandparents and grandchildren share a very special bond. If you are a grandparent, you know just how precious the relationship between grandkids and their grandparents can be. However, unexpected life circumstances can threaten the grandparent-grandchild relationship. Family arguments, divorce, or other issues can lead to grandparents being cut out of their grandchildren's lives. This can be devastating for all the parties involved. As a grandparent, it is important to understand your rights in a situation like this.

Grandparents' Right to Spend Time with Grandchildren

The law only allows children to have two parents or guardians. Typically, only parents are granted visitation rights. However, there are situations in which grandparents may be awarded visitation with a grandchild. If a grandparent gets visitation rights, they are guaranteed visitation per court order.

Grandparents may be able to get court-ordered visitation with grandchildren if one or more of the following statements are true:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 03, 2022 in Main

Sexual harassment has impacted the entertainment industry profoundly, and professional sports are no exception. Many different professional sports stars have been accused of sexual harassment or sexual assault throughout the past few years. In 2018, former Chicago Bears player Richard Dent was accused of sexual harassment by two women who allegedly interacted with him during business functions. Dent wanted to find out the identities of his accusers but was recently denied that opportunity by the Supreme Court.

Football Star Accused of Harassment and “Drunk and Disorderly Behavior”

Richard Dent first learned of the allegations against him when two attorneys for Constellation NewEnergy met with him and explained the situation in September of 2018. The attorneys explained that a woman claimed he harassed her on two different occasions. The first incident was during a golfing event in 2016. The second incident occurred in 2018 at another work-related event. Furthermore, Dent was allegedly seen acting “drunk and disorderly” at a hotel in downtown Chicago.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 02, 2022 in Main

Collecting stamps, coins, fine wines, or other collectibles is not just a fun hobby, it can also be extremely lucrative. If you are a collector, you know just how valuable collections can be. Collections are treated the same as any other assets during a divorce. This means that both spouses may have a right to an equitable share of the collection's value. Valuing and dividing collections and other high-value assets during a divorce can be quite involved. For help, reach out to a divorce lawyer experienced in complex property division issues.

Who Has Ownership Rights of a Collection?

Many collectors spend years or even decades accumulating items. Often, the value of a collection is greater than the value of the objects individually. Not only do collections have monetary value, they also have significant sentimental value to the individual who worked hard to amass them.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 22, 2022 in Main

If you do a quick Google search for “sexual harassment,” you may notice that the results often assume that the perpetrator of the harassment is a man and the victim is a woman. While it is true that sexual harassment victims are more likely to be women, men can also be sexually harassed. Sexual harassment can happen to anyone of any gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, or profession. Likewise, sexual harassment perpetrators may be men or women of any demographic.

Unfortunately, the stereotype of a male authority figure harassing a female subordinate has limited our view of sexual harassment in the workplace. Sometimes, this can make it harder for atypical harassment and discrimination victims to come forward and report the harassment. This is especially true of same-sex sexual harassment victims.

Sexual Harassment When The Victim and Perpetrator Are the Same Genders

When a woman is sexually harassed by another woman or a man is sexually harassed by another man, the victim is often hesitant to make a report. They may second guess themselves or wonder if they are overreacting to the situation. Some same-sex harassment victims may also be LGBT individuals who are still “in the closet” or simply want to keep their sexuality private. They worry that reporting the harassment will “out” them to co-workers.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 22, 2022 in Kane

The legal relationship between a father and his child is called "paternity." In Illinois, paternity can influence everything from child support to adoption. Whether you are a mother, father, grandparent, or another important individual in a child's life, it is important to understand how paternity affects family law issues in Illinois. Read on to learn answers to some of the most common legal questions about paternity.

How is Paternity Established?

Per Illinois law, paternity is assumed in certain cases. If a married woman gives birth, her husband is presumed to be the child's father. The father does not need to do anything else to establish paternity. However, the same is not true for unmarried parents. Unmarried parents may establish paternity through one of three legal avenues:

• Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP) – The VAP is a document that parents can sign at the hospital where the child is born to voluntarily establish paternity. The document is also available online and at the County Clerks's office.

Continue Reading ››