Posted on July 10, 2024 in Main

If you are planning to get a divorce, you may be worried that conflict with your spouse could lead to a long, drawn-out, expensive process as you work to resolve issues related to your finances, your children, and other aspects of your marriage. However, if you are looking to complete your divorce expeditiously and efficiently while minimizing conflict, mediation may be the best approach.

During mediation, you and your spouse can work together to resolve divorce-related issues amicably with the help of a neutral third party. As you prepare for mediation, it is helpful to understand what you can do to protect your interests and ensure that you will be able to resolve issues successfully. An experienced attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure that you will be able to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs.

Understanding the Issues Addressed During Mediation

As you and your spouse work to create a divorce settlement during mediation, you may need to address matters such as:

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 Posted on July 10, 2024 in Main

Employees in many different workplaces experience sexual harassment. Sexual Harassment is an especially common issue in bars and restaurants. To ensure that employees are protected, Illinois law has created specific requirements that apply to these establishments.

Employees who have experienced sexual harassment need to understand their rights and options for addressing situations where employers failed to address sexual harassment correctly. An experienced Illinois sexual harassment attorney can help restaurant or bar employees seek justice for the ways they have been negatively affected by sexual harassment.

Requirements for Bars and Restaurants Under Illinois Law

Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, bars and restaurants are required to take certain steps to prevent sexual harassment towards employees. Employers must have a written sexual harassment policy and distribute it to all employees. The policy must include:

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 Posted on June 26, 2024 in Main

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue that can have devastating effects on victims. It can create a toxic work environment that affects multiple people, and if it is not addressed properly, it can continue to affect victims and bystanders. Companies have a legal obligation to prevent sexual harassment, and they should be prepared to respond effectively if it occurs. People who have experienced sexual harassment will need to understand how to respond when employers fail to address these issues correctly. An experienced attorney can help address these issues and ensure that victims are able to address the harm they have suffered due to sexual harassment.

Implementing Effective Sexual Harassment Policies

The first step a business should take to protect employees against sexual harassment is to have a clear, comprehensive policy in place. This policy should:

• Define sexual harassment: Employees should clearly understand what constitutes sexual harassment, including examples of both quid pro quo and hostile work environment harassment.

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 Posted on June 26, 2024 in Kane

When parents choose to get a divorce, they need to address a number of legal issues related to their children. As they make decisions and resolve disputes related to the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, they will create a parenting plan that will dictate how these matters will be handled going forward

Understanding the role that a parenting plan plays in a divorce, the terms that need to be included, and the ways child-related disputes may be resolved ensures that parents are prepared to make decisions that protect their children's best interests. An experienced attorney can provide invaluable guidance during this process, working to negotiate agreements while protecting a parent's rights.

Understanding Parenting Plans

A parenting plan is a written agreement that specifies how divorced or separated parents will share parental responsibilities and how parenting time with children will be divided. A well-crafted agreement can serve as a roadmap for co-parenting, and it can help minimize conflicts by clearly defining each parent's roles and obligations. In Illinois, a parenting plan is a critical component of the divorce process when children are involved, and it must be filed with the court for approval.

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 Posted on June 26, 2024 in Main

Co-parenting can sometimes be challenging. When parents have chosen to end their relationship through divorce or separation, they still need to be able to work together going forward and cooperate with each other as they raise their children. When disagreements arise, co-parents need to determine the best ways to resolve these conflicts while prioritizing their children's needs. An experienced attorney can help address and resolve legal issues related to child parenting agreements, ensuring that children's best interests are always the top priority.

Maintaining Open Communication

Regular communication can be crucial in a co-parenting relationship. Parents should be sure to keep each other informed about important issues that may affect their children, including medical concerns, educational issues, events and activities, and anything else that may affect children's best interests. Regular, respectful dialogue can prevent misunderstandings and help address potential issues before they escalate into conflict.

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 Posted on June 10, 2024 in Main

In many families, stay-at-home parents serve crucial roles. They provide essential care for a couple's children, ensuring that their needs are attended to at all times, and they also manage a variety of other household responsibilities. Even if they do not earn income, their efforts provide essential support for their partners, ensuring that a family's primary income earner can focus on their career. Unfortunately, these contributions are not always recognized, especially when addressing financial concerns during the divorce process.

If you are a stay-at-home parent, you may be worried about how you will be able to maintain your household and continue meeting your children's needs during and after your divorce. Fortunately, the law recognizes the contributions you have made to your family, and you will likely be able to receive financial assistance from your former partner. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can ensure that alimony/spousal maintenance payments will be put in place and that other financial concerns will be addressed correctly.

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 Posted on June 10, 2024 in Kane

Multiple types of legal and financial issues need to be addressed in a divorce. For business owners, the stakes of divorce can be high, since issues that affect their business may also affect their livelihood and financial stability. An experienced divorce attorney can help business owners determine the best steps to take to protect themselves during the asset division process. At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC., we work to ensure that our clients are able to address financial concerns correctly and complete their divorces successfully.

Is a Business a Marital Asset or a Separate Asset?

The first thing that a business owner will need to address during a divorce is how their business will be categorized. A business may fall into one of two categories:

• Marital property: If the business was started during the marriage, it will likely be considered a marital asset. Also, if marital funds were invested into the business, or if the business grew primarily due to the joint efforts by both spouses, it may likely be considered a marital asset. This means it is subject to division between the spouses.

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 Posted on June 10, 2024 in Kane

Whether you are getting a divorce or working to establish a child custody agreement as an unmarried parent, you may worry about how to address the areas that are in dispute, reach agreements that will meet your family's needs, and avoid ongoing conflict as much as possible. Handling these matters through litigation can lead to increased conflict, stoking feelings of anger and resentment and making it more difficult to cooperate in the future

If you and the other parent are willing to cooperate and reach compromises, mediation can provide a constructive alternative to the adversarial courtroom process. An experienced attorney with training in mediation techniques can help you work together to create a parenting plan so that you and your family can move forward into a more positive future.

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 Posted on June 10, 2024 in Main

If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, you may have suffered significant physical, emotional, and professional harm. Addressing these issues through a legal claim can ensure that you will be compensated for the harm done to you, and can provide much-needed support for recovery. An experienced attorney can help you understand the legal remedies that may be available in your situation, and can provide the representation you need as you seek justice.

Legal Remedies for Sexual Harassment Victims

There are several ways the harm you have suffered due to sexual harassment may be addressed. Depending on the specifics of your case, legal remedies may include:

• Compensation for emotional distress: Sexual harassment can cause psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You may be able to receive compensation that addresses the ways you have been affected, including the mental anguish caused by your experience and your diminished quality of life due to your emotional trauma.

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 Posted on May 26, 2024 in Kane

Marriage is a significant milestone in a couple's relationship. While the decision to get married is usually rooted in love and commitment, it is also important to understand that marriage is a legal union that will have many financial implications for a couple. A prenuptial agreement, commonly known as a prenup, can be a valuable tool for protecting the interests of both spouses. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can provide guidance on how a prenup may be used to protect assets and minimize disputes in a potential divorce. Scenarios where prenuptial agreements can be especially beneficial include:

Significant Assets or Debts

Any assets owned by either spouse before getting married will be considered separate property that will not be divided in a divorce. Likewise, debts accrued by one party before the marriage will be that spouse's sole responsibility. However, a couple's finances can become intermingled during their marriage, making it difficult to distinguish between marital property and separate property. A prenup can identify certain assets and debts and ensure that they will remain separate from a couple's marital estate.

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