Even though you may be charged by the lender for it to prepare the documents for your loan and they are presented as the lender’s standard or customary documents, beware of the hidden provisions that always benefit the lender and never the borrower. Even if the lender says they are “non-negotiable”, you need to be aware of them to avoid an unintentional default or provisions that could overly restrict you or your businesses’ future credit or activities.
Some hidden loan provisions include:

  • Security Interest. This pledges the borrowers’ assets, future assets and proceeds as collateral to repay the loan before

…
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This months Business Bytes highlights digital evidence, protecting confidential informaiton and proper insurance claim reporting. 
Digital Evidence.  As more commercial deals and incidents are transacted or recorded digitally, being able to authenticate the video, text, screen shot, picture or other digital image is critical. If your evidence is on your phone, be sure to protect, preserve and be able to authenticate it. READ MORE.
 
Protecting Confidential Information.  Remote working and employing new technologies create new risks to unintended disclosure of attorney/client privileged information and materials. Heeding these safeguards is useful for anyone concerned that their proprietary information remain confidential.  READ …
Continue Reading March Business Bytes

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

An 8-year-old girl meant to inherit a $61 million diamond business in India has renounced her fortune to become a nun

Devanshi Sanghvi, an eight-year-old girl in India, made headlines earlier this year as she was initiated into monkhood under the Jain faith in a five-day ceremony. She is among the youngest to be inducted into the Jain monkhood and renounced the $61 million business she was slated to inherit from her family’s diamond business.
Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions, originating in India, and emphasizes non-violence, meditation, and rejecting worldly pleasures. Some Jain…
Continue Reading An 8-year-old girl meant to inherit a $61 million diamond business in India has renounced her fortune to become a nun

Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed the Paid Leave for Workers Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2024.  The Act requires employers to provide eligible employees with paid sick leave and is designed to promote a healthier and more productive workforce by enabling workers to take time off for their own or their family’s health needs without fear of losing pay or their job.

The Act covers employers with at least one employee  and paid leave will accrue at the rate of one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to a minimum of 40 hours of…
Continue Reading The Illinois Paid Leave for Workers Act Allows Employees Leave For Any Reason They Choose

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Falls in nursing homes can be devastating, leading to a variety of injuries that can have long-term effects on elderly or disabled patients. In some cases, fall accidents may result in sprains, dislocated joints, or other soft tissue injuries. Unfortunately, these falls often take place due to the negligence of a nursing home’s staff. It is important for those who have been affected by a fall to understand their options for addressing sprains and soft tissue injuries caused by nursing home negligence. 
Soft Tissue Injuries That May Affect Nursing Home Residents
The human body has multiple types of soft…
Continue Reading When Can Falls in Nursing Homes Lead to Soft Tissue Injuries?

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If you are getting divorced and your spouse has accused you of domestic violence or abuse, you may not know where to start. Most people getting divorced have little experience in the court system, and they are not sure what to expect or how to handle this challenging situation.
One of the first things you need to do if your spouse accused you of abusing him or her is to secure reliable legal counsel. Your lawyer will be able to provide customized advice specific to your case and ensure that you address these allegations in a way that does not…
Continue Reading Divorce Involving False Allegations of Spousal Abuse

In addition to what we generally think of as the “regular” reasons for terminating an alcoholic beverage franchise agreement without cause: bankruptcy, fraud in the dealings between a wholesaler and a manufacturer/supplier, suspension or termination of a distributor’s license or permit for more than 30 days, Ohio has a provision allowing successor manufacturers of wine and beers (Ohio is a control state, so the state of Ohio handles spirits distribution)) to terminate an existing relationship with a beer or wine wholesaler within 90 days of coming to the ownership of the brand of beer or wine (O.R.C. §1333.85):…
Continue Reading Court finds winery and distributor continued discussions sufficient to show intent to extend timing under statute allowing transfer following brand acquisition by new owner.

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Deciding to end a marriage is one of the most difficult decisions anyone can make. However, if you have reached the point where a divorce is the only option, it is essential to understand the legal process of divorce. In Illinois, the divorce process can be complicated and overwhelming. 
Determine Your Eligibility for Divorce
In Illinois, to file for a divorce, you must meet the residency requirement. One of the spouses must have lived in the state of Illinois for at least 90 days before filing for a divorce. If you meet this requirement, you can move on to the…
Continue Reading Starting the Divorce Process in Will County, Illinois

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After the tumultuous process of divorce, there are many crucial matters to address, including modifications to your divorce decree. In Chicago, Illinois, couples seeking a modification to their divorce judgment must navigate the complexities of the legal system, which can be challenging. Divorced individuals wishing to make a change to their divorce decree are encouraged to reach out to a family law attorney for help. 
Post-Divorce Child Support and Custody Modifications
Chicago bases child custody decisions on what’s in the child’s best interests, but things can alter after a divorce. A parent’s relocation may require a modification to the…
Continue Reading Modification of Your Divorce Decree 

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How do I get a license for a cannabis business?
If you’re looking to start a cannabis business, the first step is obtaining the necessary licenses and permits. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
1. Determine the legal requirements in your state: Each state has its own set of laws and regulations regarding cannabis businesses. Visit your state’s regulatory agency website to find out what licenses are required, and what the application process entails.
2. Choose your business structure: Decide whether you want to form a corporation, LLC, or sole proprietorship. Each has its own benefits and…
Continue Reading How to Start a Cannabis Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

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 Divorce mediation is a very popular alternative to traditional divorce litigation, as it can help couples reach a harmonious resolution in a more cost-effective and timely manner. However, regardless of the popularity of the method and its reputation as a great option for many couples, there are certain situations where divorce mediation may not be the best option for couples going through a divorce. Today, we will discuss situations when divorce mediation is not recommended. If you are interested in learning more about divorce mediation or want to pursue a divorce, contact an attorney to ensure you understand your…
Continue Reading Understanding How Certain Relationship Dynamics Make Mediation an Untenable Solution During Divorce

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Custody issues can be very complicated and emotionally charged. One of the factors that makes it even more complicated is that the language used to describe child custody can be complex and subject to change. Technically, there is no longer sole custody in Illinois. Instead, parents receive an allocation of the parenting time (time spent with the child) and parental responsibilities (legal custody and decision-making authority).
Parenting arrangements that allow both parents to spend time with the child and be involved in child-related decision-making are preferred by Illinois courts. However, there are situations in which the court will award all…
Continue Reading When Does an Illinois Court Give a Parent Sole Custody?

The Public Access Counselor of the Attorney General’s Office (PAC) recently found a public body in violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act for holding an improper meeting. PAC Op. 23-003.

A member of a library board of trustees filed a request for review with the PAC office alleging that the board president and two other trustees met to discuss various staffing, salary, and other issues of the public body without posting notice or complying with other OMA requirements. The board submitted a response to the PAC, arguing that the “Meet and Greet” that was attended by 3 members…
Continue Reading PAC Finds Public Body in Violation of OMA for its "Meet and Greet"

One night you went to a birthday party.  The friend who drove you started a drinking game. While you only had two or three drinks yourself, your friend had many more and became too drunk to drive.  So you offered to take the wheel.  Is that a defense to a DUI?
The answer is no.  Under Illinois law, the fact that your friend was more impaired than you were simply does not matter.  DUI is against the law even though you may have been the lesser of two evils.  While you may have truly believed you were doing your friend…
Continue Reading WHAT IF MY FRIEND WAS TOO DRUNK TO DRIVE?

A new, disturbing trend is emerging today.  In 2022, the FBI reported that $10 Billion was lost to online fraud, according to CNN. It’s not just the usual types of fraud you think of, such as ransomware (where a fraudster takes over your computer and says you need to pay money to get control back) or fishing (where someone clicks on an email or text link and enters their user name and password), or where someone asks the user to get gift cards to help them out of trouble.  Or, the ever-popular tech support fraud, where the caller pretends to…
Continue Reading Sophisticated Fraud Ensnares More Unsuspecting People