Recent Blog Posts
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm - The Consequences of Breaking Illinois' Firearm Laws
The United States Constitution indicates that Americans have “the right to bear arms,” but there are some situations that may hinder (or even outright eliminate) an individual's “right” to own, use, or carry a firearm. Since gun laws are made and enforced at the state level, these conditions can vary from one state to the next. Learn more about the consequences of breaking firearm laws in the state of Illinois, and discover how a seasoned criminal defense lawyer may be able to help.
What Constitutes Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in Illinois?
In the state of Illinois, gun owners must possess a Firearm Owner's Identification Card, otherwise known as an FIOD. Without it, you risk being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Moreover, if you wish to carry a concealed weapon, you must also possess a permit for doing so. If you are caught with a concealed weapon and do not have one, you could face criminal charges. Other scenarios that may lead to criminal charges for unlawful possession of a firearm include:
Parenting Time in Illinois - Protecting Your Child's Interests While Deciding on the Details of Your Divorce
While divorce can negatively impact all involved parties, children are often the most vulnerable. They also have little to no control over their situation, and that can lead to all sorts of problems later on down the line, such as social isolation, emotional or behavioral issues, and poor academic performance. Yet, when done under the right circumstances, with the child's best interests in mind, divorce can sometimes benefit children. In the following sections, you can learn more on how to effectively balance your child's best interests against your own needs to achieve the latter situation.
Is Divorce Bad for Kids?
For decades, parents were led to believe that divorce is inherently "bad" for children. Yet, as time passes, research shows it is not necessarily the divorce process that negatively impacts children, so much as it is their home environment.
Pursuing Overdue Child Support in Illinois - What Are Your Options?
Child support is intended to offset the costs of raising a child for the primary parent, which can ultimately improve the child's overall living conditions. Unfortunately, some paying parents do not seem to understand the value of their financial contribution. They dodge payments or stop making them altogether and leave the custodial parent with all the responsibility, which can cause unnecessary suffering for the child. Learn more about your options in such a situation, and discover how the assistance of a seasoned family law attorney can help to improve the outcome of your overdue child support case.
Avoid Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands
When a child is suffering unnecessarily, and the person who can help refuses to do so, parents receiving child support can become angry, frustrated, and distressed. These feelings can sometimes lead them to take matters into their own hands. Common actions involve showing up at a paying parent's home or place of employment, demanding payment, and withholding court-ordered parenting time.
The Penalties of Driving Under the Influence with a Child Passenger
Driving under the influence is considered a crime in the state of Illinois, and it carries heavy penalties for anyone who is convicted. When a minor passenger is involved, those consequences can become even greater. Learn more about the penalties of driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle, and discover how a seasoned criminal defense lawyer can help to improve the outcome in your Illinois drunk driving case.
What Classifies as a Child Passenger?
Illinois state law defines a minor as any child under the age of 16. As such, any child that is 15 or younger can lead to elevated charges in a DUI case. It is important to also note that the driver's relationship to the child is irrelevant in such cases. Instead, only the child's age is considered.
DUI Charges for Drivers with Child Passengers
Common Prenup Mistakes to Avoid
More and more couples are protecting their financial futures by signing a prenup before they get married. However, many of them are making certain mistakes that could hurt them rather than help them in the event their marriage does not work out. Here are some of the most common prenup mistakes to avoid.
No Independent Legal Representation
It is important for both parties to hire separate attorneys. This way, each attorney can help each party thoroughly understand the prenuptial agreement. It can be difficult for both parties to feel comfortable with the prenup parameters if they have the same attorney.
Allowing Emotions to Get in the Way
Sometimes, couples let their emotions get in the way and are unable to communicate and clearly think about what is right for their future. Couples should understand that a marriage is a financial partnership in addition to a romantic partnership. It is vital they view their marriage as a business transaction and try to put their emotions aside.
Most Common Types of White Collar Crimes
White collar crimes are offenses that occur when a person uses some form of deception to produce financial gain. These types of crimes are usually committed by business people who have access to large amounts of money because of their position. It can take months and even years for prosecution to construct a case against someone before charging them with a white collar crime. The five most common types of white collar crimes include:
- Tax Evasion. Tax evasion occurs when a person fails to file a tax return, fails to pay their taxes, under reports their income, makes false deductions, or claims fraudulent business expenses or losses. It can be a state or federal crime and lead to a lengthy prison sentence upon conviction. Some defenses to tax evasion are that you were given wrong advice by your tax preparer, you had no criminal intent, or you did not understand the tax forms.
6 Common Misconceptions about Alimony
Spousal support, or alimony, occurs when one spouse pays another in a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to reduce any unfair economic advantages one spouse has over the other.
Courts will evaluate the financial situation of each spouse before and after the divorce in order to determine alimony eligibility and amount. We have compiled this list of six of the most common misconceptions about alimony so that you can gain a greater understanding of what it is and how it works.
Men are always the ones paying alimony. In the past, it was common for men to pay alimony. However, since more and more women are the primary breadwinners in today's society, it is becoming more common for women to pay alimony to their husbands.
- Alimony is permanent. Contrary to popular belief, alimony is based on the length of a marriage and does not last forever. In many cases, it is only awarded for a short period of time. It may stop once a spouse reenters the job market and is able to support themselves without any assistance.
6 Ways to Prepare for Your Divorce Trial
When you are going through a divorce in Illinois, your goal should be to achieve the best possible outcome for yourself, ensuring that you will have the resources you need as you embark on the next phase of your life. One of the ways to make this happen is to be well-prepared for your divorce trial. Here is a list of six tips to help you prepare for trial and increase your chances of securing a favorable outcome:
1. Dress Appropriately. When you show up for your trial, you should be dressed professionally. Rather than dressing casually or wearing a provocative outfit, you should wear a suit or clothing that gives you a clean and neat appearance. If you have any tattoos or piercings, be sure to cover them up.
2. Stay on Point While Testifying. You may be tempted to tell the judge everything when it is time for you testify. However, doing so may aggravate the judge and make your case less compelling. Try to keep your answers short and avoid volunteering unnecessary information.
3. Control Yourself When Your Spouse or Their Lawyer Speaks. Although it is easier said than done, you should control your emotions when your spouse or his or her lawyer speaks in court. Avoid rolling your eyes, interrupting, sighing, or doing anything else that will make you appear rude or disrespectful, since these actions could be used against you. If you believe your spouse is saying something false, quietly inform your lawyer.
4. Listen Carefully to Questions. Prior to answering, you should be sure you fully understand the question being asked. By doing so, you can ensure that you answer it correctly and avoid stating something that does not make sense to the judge or volunteering inappropriate information. If you get asked a complicated question that you do not understand, ask the judge or attorney to repeat it. Never answer a question you are unclear about.
5. Be Yourself. During a trial, act as you normally would. Do not try to be someone that you are simply not. A lack of sincerity will likely hurt rather than help you.
6. Consult With Your Lawyer. Your lawyer has been to many trials, meaning they can help you prepare for what to expect and answer any questions you may have. Talk to them and use their knowledge and experience to your advantage.
Contact Our Joliet Divorce Lawyers
Although you cannot change the facts of your case or the laws governing divorce in Illinois, following these tips can raise your chances of getting the outcome you want. If you are planning on filing for divorce and need experienced legal representation to guide you through the process and trial, do not hesitate to reach out to our Joliet divorce lawyers. Call us today at 815-666-1285 for a personalized consultation.
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5 Common Signs of Domestic Violence
Sadly, people are sometimes unaware that they are a victim of domestic violence, because the signs of abuse are often overlooked, excused, or denied. In addition, many people believe that domestic violence is limited to physical abuse, when in reality, it can include emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. You should contact a family law attorney to learn about your rights and options if you notice any of these five signs of domestic violence in your relationship:
- Your partner controls your finances. If your partner has to approve your spending or tell you how much you are allowed to spend on groceries, bills, and miscellaneous expenses, you may be a victim of domestic abuse. This is especially true if you are also contributing to your joint income and have no say in how your money is being spent.
Financial Planning in Your Divorce Can Mitigate Against Extreme Financial Loss
No one can dispute the emotional nature of a divorce but it is crucial that parties do not allow their emotions to overshadow the financial aspects of their case. Otherwise, they may run the risk of extreme financial loss. Learn more about how you can mitigate this issue with careful financial planning and the assistance of an attorney.
Star Planning Sooner, Rather Than Later
While it is possible to handle divorce matters over a short time-period, those who plan early tend to have better outcomes because they are more prepared for the process. Some manage to save money. Others seek help from a financial advisor to obtain advice on where and how to spend or invest their settlement or to gain a better understanding of their own finances and how to manage them. Regardless of how you prepare, do it sooner, rather than later.
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