Neighbors can be a blessing, but they can also be a major hassle to deal with. Even in some of the more rural areas of Illinois, most people have neighbors who live close enough to impact them with their behavior, and this is certainly true in densely populated areas. One subject on which people regularly disagree with the behavior of their neighbors is that of pets and other animals, especially dogs. A well-trained dog may be a man’s best friend, but a neighbor’s dog that is allowed to wander and harass neighboring people and property can present a major challenge.
Continue Reading What Can I Do if a Neighbor Lets Their Dog Wander in My Yard?

Although Millennials and Gen Z are getting married at lower rates than previous generations, when they do get married, a significant percentage of them create and sign a prenuptial agreement. This is partly because they tend to get married at older ages and have more value in their personal belongings than previous generations. It is also in part because they have a heightened consciousness of the likelihood of divorce and its financial risks. 
Whatever the reason for creating a prenup, spouses may find that, faced with the prospect of divorce, their prenup no longer serves their interests or perhaps…
Continue Reading Can I Dispute a Prenup During Our Divorce? 

Estate planning is one of those responsibilities that people tend to postpone as long as possible. Understandably, thinking about the possibility of incapacitation or death is not something most people are eager to consider. However, building a detailed estate plan is essential to ensuring that your wishes are followed if you fall extremely ill or pass away.
The term “power of attorney” may refer to a legal document or the individual that acts as power of attorney. There are two main types of powers of attorney in Illinois. One handles financial concerns on another person’s behalf and the…
Continue Reading How to Choose a Power of Attorney for Finances or Healthcare

At their core, most entrepreneurs are dreamers. They dream of starting a business that will provide not only financial security but also personal fulfillment. Starting your own company and expanding it into a thriving business is a feat that few achieve. Many businesses fail within a few years. However, some entrepreneurs rise above the fray and achieve their business dreams. If you are thinking about developing a startup, it is important to explore your options carefully.
Will This Business Be Profitable?
Starting your own company is about much more than making money. A startup allows an entrepreneur to create…
Continue Reading 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Creating a Startup

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are employment contracts between employer and employee that serve as a necessary safeguard to protect business trade secrets. Such trade secrets include proprietary information of the disclosing party and any research or knowledge that is not yet patented or copyrighted. There are two types of non-disclosure agreements: unilateral and mutual. The one-party unilateral NDA is the most common. Unilateral NDAs specify employee confidentiality during and after employment and usually includes an expiration date.
Every NDA is distinctive to the business’ needs. Astutely drafted NDAs are more likely to be upheld by the courts. NDAs with overreaching provisions…
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When family law cases involve children, including situations where parents get divorced or child custody cases where parents are unmarried, child support will often be a factor. This form of support will ensure that children’s ongoing needs will be met. While parents may expect that child support will be paid by one parent to the other, they may not be fully aware of what child support is meant to address and what types of expenses will be included. By working with a family law attorney, a parent can make sure they understand how the law applies in their situation, and…
Continue Reading What Does Child Support Cover in an Illinois Family Law Case?

Business owners will need to address a variety of legal issues when establishing and operating a business. One of the most important decisions that will need to be made involves how a business will be structured. During the business formation process, owners or partners will need to select the correct type of business entity, meet all legal requirements for registering the business, and ensure that the proper organizational structure, management practices, and reporting procedures are in place. In many cases, structuring a business as a limited liability company (LLC) can provide a number of benefits. By working with a business …
Continue Reading What Are the Benefits of Structuring a Business as an LLC?

There are many reasons why a couple may choose to enter into a prenuptial agreement before they get married. These agreements, which are commonly known as “prenups,” will detail how certain issues will be handled if a couple chooses to get divorced in the future. A person who owns significant assets may use a prenup to ensure that they can maintain ownership of these assets in the case of divorce. A couple may also make decisions about whether either party will receive spousal support or how different types of marital property will be divided. While these agreements can be…
Continue Reading How Can I Make Sure My Prenuptial Agreement Is Enforceable?

Businesses often rely on contracts to protect their rights and interests, and these legal agreements can protect them from financial losses if they meet all of their contractual obligations. However, there are many cases where a business may be placed in a difficult position because another party failed to fulfill a contract’s terms. In these cases, a business may pursue a breach of contract lawsuit, and it may seek to recover damages from the other party to address the losses that it experienced because of the breach.
Types of Breach of Contract Damages
When pursuing civil litigation to address…
Continue Reading What Damages Can a Plaintiff Receive in a Breach of Contract Lawsuit?

During the estate planning process, most people will focus primarily on what will happen after their death, addressing how their property should be distributed among their heirs and how they want to handle the disposal of their remains. However, an estate plan can also address how certain matters will be handled while a person is still alive, including the types of medical care they will receive. Addressing these issues in your estate plan can be important, since it will help your family members avoid uncertainty, and it will ensure that you will receive the medical care and treatment you want,…
Continue Reading Should I Include Advance Medical Directives in My Estate Plan?