An immigration bond hearing is a court proceeding in which an immigrant in removal proceedings can seek relief from detention. The outcome of an immigration bond hearing will determine whether or not the individual will be released from custody while they await the final decision on their case. If a judge determines that the respondent should be released, they will also decide on the amount of bond and the conditions that must be met for the release to take place. If you or a family member have been detained by immigration officials, it is important to understand what will be…
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Owning a business can be very rewarding, as it can allow you to use your knowledge and skills to fill a need in your community while also ensuring that you can earn profits and provide for your family. As a business owner, you may have built your company from the ground up, and you probably want to be able to continue to reap the rewards of your efforts for years to come. Because of this, you will want to make sure issues related to your business will be addressed correctly in the event of a divorce.
A family business…
Continue Reading Do I Need to Perform a Business Valuation During My Divorce?

The choice to end a marriage is often a difficult one. In some cases, a married couple may feel that their relationship is no longer working, and they may be looking at their options and considering whether to go ahead with a divorce. However, legally terminating a marriage will involve multiple types of complex legal, financial, and personal issues, and one or both spouses may be worried about how the lives of themselves, their children, or others may be affected by this drastic change. In Illinois, legal separation may be an avenue available to couples who are not ready…
Continue Reading When Is Legal Separation a Good Option for Married Couples?

Every day, patients trust their doctors to provide them with accurate diagnoses and quality healthcare. Unfortunately, in some cases, misdiagnoses occur, and patients may suffer serious harm as a result. If a misdiagnosis by a doctor or medical professional has resulted in injuries or other damages, then you may be able to seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim.

When Is a Misdiagnosis Considered to Be Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice involves negligence or carelessness by a healthcare professional that results in a patient’s injury or wrongful death. It occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the generally accepted…
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Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel up and down roads and highways across the United States. With so many of these vehicles on the road, truck accidents have become more likely to occur—particularly accidents caused by driver fatigue. Truck drivers are often expected to drive for long periods of time without taking breaks, making them more prone to falling asleep at the wheel or making dangerous mistakes because they are drowsy or tired. In fact, it is estimated that around 13 percent of all truck accidents involve truck drivers who are fatigued. By understanding the risks and dangers…
Continue Reading Why Driver Fatigue Can Lead to Dangerous or Deadly Truck Accidents

For those who are looking to immigrate to the United States or for those who are living in the U.S. and seeking to help their loved ones come to the country, it can seem like immigration laws and policies are constantly in flux. With tens of thousands of people looking to enter the U.S. each month and many more attempting to cross the border without authorization or being detained and deported by immigration officials, it can be difficult to determine the rules that must be followed and the issues that could prevent a person from entering or remaining in the…
Continue Reading New Policies May Allow Some Immigrants to the U.S. to Receive Parole

Abusive marriages are more common than most people realize. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) estimates that 10 million people in the U.S. are victims of physical abuse each year, with women making up the majority of this group. Unfortunately, many victims remain in or return to abusive relationships because they feel trapped by their economic and immigration statuses.
Fortunately, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a way for victims of abusive marriages to self-petition for permanent resident status. VAWA enables eligible individuals to file without their spouse’s involvement, meaning they don’t have to rely on the…
Continue Reading Abuse Victims May Self-Petition for Immigration Relief Without Their Spouse's Involvement

Losing a loved one in an accident brings not only deep sadness and grief but also a sense of injustice – especially if the death of a family member occurred as the result of another’s negligence. When an Illinois resident dies due to someone else’s carelessness, legal options may be available for the surviving family members.
The two primary types of legal claims that can be brought by a decedent’s family are wrongful death claims and survival actions. Both are means of pursuing monetary damages after an avoidable death.
Taking Legal Action Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act
Under the…
Continue Reading What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action in Illinois?

Immigrants who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents face numerous challenges and anxieties. For many people, the possibility of deportation is a constant threat. Cancellation of removal is a form of relief from removal (deportation) and can be granted to immigrants who demonstrate that they have been in the United States for a certain period of time and meet other criteria.
One key factor when applying for cancellation of removal as a non-permanent lawful resident is demonstrating hardship. To demonstrate this, applicants must provide evidence to the immigration judge of the negative effects their removal would have on…
Continue Reading How Can I Prove Hardship When Pursuing Cancellation of Removal?

Getting divorced requires a couple to address several multifaceted issues. Divorcing spouses will need to divide shared assets and debts, address the ownership of the marital home, and handle other complicated financial matters. If the spouses share children, they must also decide on a parenting plan.
Most couples prefer to avoid the time and expense of a court trial by using an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process during divorce. The most common forms of ADR for divorce in Illinois are negotiation, mediation, and collaborative divorce. If you are planning to divorce soon, it may be a good idea to familiarize…
Continue Reading Evaluating Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods for Divorce