When you live in Illinois but have property in multiple states, estate planning can become quite difficult. You will need to account for the laws in each state where you own real estate or other assets. Proper planning is essential to ensure your wishes are carried out and your loved ones avoid unnecessary hassles and expenses when left with the properties. An Illinois lawyer can help figure out the best way to handle your out-of-state properties to minimize challenges.
Ancillary Probate is Ideal for Out-of-State Properties
When you pass away, your estate will likely need to go through the probate
Continue Reading Out-of-State Properties in Your Estate Plan in Illinois

Getting a divorce is inherently challenging. When your marriage has broken down, you are likely to experience a variety of difficult emotions, such as anger, sadness, betrayal, and anxiety about the future. At the same time, you may be overwhelmed by the many legal, financial, and practical issues that you will need to address as you separate from your spouse, establish new living arrangements, determine how to share custody of your children, and divide your marital property. Conflict with your spouse about the causes of your divorce, issues involving your property and children, and other divorce-related concerns can make this
Continue Reading 7 Steps You Can Take to Defuse Conflict During Your Divorce

Once you have a finalized parenting plan, you have every right to expect your co-parent to follow it. These plans, once ordered or approved by a court, essentially have the force of law. Your co-parent could face serious repercussions if they choose not to follow the parenting plan or honor your parenting time. Co-parents can violate parenting plans in a number of ways, from failing to show up for custody hand-offs to making decisions they did not have the right to make on their own. If your co-parent is refusing to abide by your parenting plan, an experienced Will
Continue Reading Child Custody Enforcement Issues in Illinois

The prescription drug Elmiron, used to treat interstitial cystitis, has recently been the subject of intense legal scrutiny. Numerous plaintiffs have filed lawsuits alleging that long-term use of Elmiron led to vision-related injuries, including a rare and potentially irreversible eye disorder. An Illinois lawyer can help you through your case to ensure you are taking the proper steps.
What the Elmiron Litigation is All About
In the ongoing litigation surrounding the prescription medication Elmiron, it has been revealed that the drug has led to pigmentary maculopathy, a rare and potentially irreversible eye disorder. Manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary
Continue Reading Expert Testimony in Elmiron Cases in Illinois

Divorce can be a very difficult and emotional time for couples, especially when it comes to deciding who keeps the beloved family pet. In Illinois, pets are considered marital property under the law, which means they are subject to the same property division rules as any other asset. Understanding how pets are classified as marital property in Illinois is crucial to navigating the process of determining pet ownership post-divorce.
At The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., we understand that divorce is often among the most challenging processes anyone will ever go through. As a result, we tailor our client-focused legal representation
Continue Reading Who Keeps the Pet After a Divorce in Illinois?

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Larry Rogers, Jr. convincingly won his sixth term as Cook County Board of Review Commissioner.  Rogers represents the city’s south side and the southern suburbs of Cook County. Rogers beat his challenger Larecia Tucker 62% to 38%.  Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi contributed $680,000 of his own money to fund […]
Continue Reading Cook County Commissioner Larry Rogers wins a 6th term as Commissioner at the Cook County Board of Review

Chicago, IL (March 26, 2024) – At least one person was injured following a two-vehicle crash at a heavily trafficked intersection in the city’s River North neighborhood on Tuesday morning, per area authorities.
According to the Chicago Police Department, the crash occurred at approximately 3:40 a.m. in the 600 block of North LaSalle Street. A Chevy SUV collided with a Mazda sedan while traveling eastbound in the region, police said. The Chevy driver was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition, while the Mazda driver’s condition was unknown. Officials said citations are pending, but an investigation is still ongoing.
Continue Reading Chicago, IL – Victim Injured in Two-Car Collision on LaSalle St

Family Law Attorneys in Barrington, IL Going through a divorce is often a tough experience that can affect your personal life and finances, both now and in the future. At Manassa Law P.C., our Barrington divorce and separation attorneys understand what you’re going through and are here to give you the dedicated legal help you…
The post Barrington Divorce and Separation Attorney appeared first on Manassa Law P.C..
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A federal lawsuit against L’Oreal, Revlon, Dark & Lovely and other companies alleges that the businesses that sell hair straightener products, knew, or should have known, that the use of the dangerous chemicals in the products would increase the risk of cancer. They marketed and sold them anyway without so much as a warning label.  
As of March 2024, there were 8,334 hair straightener lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago. With its background in class action lawsuits and product liability, Smith LaCien LLP was asked to serve as co-counsel on some of these
Continue Reading Users of Hair Straighteners Who Got Cancer Seek Compensation

Synopsis: Successful Appellate Outcome for Defense Attorney Lindsay Vanderford and KCB&A! Court Rejects Petitioner’s Challenge to Appointment of Arbitrator and Ruling on His WC Claim. Editor’s Comment: Please note this ruling isn’t “final” and might be subject to rehearing or a Petition for Certiorari to the Illinois Supreme Court. That said, we do feel the litigation will end. In Osman v. IWCC, No. 2-23-0180WC, issued 03/18/2024, the Illinois Appellate Court, WC Division rejected the worker’s challenges to the appointment of the Arbitrator in his case and upheld a determination the worker failed to prove causation between a subsequent condition and a
Continue Reading 3-25-2024; Successful Appellate Outcome for Atty Vanderford and KCBA!; Birth Defect Litigation Against Employers is Not Blocked by WC Exclusive Remedy and more

In 2018, a requester submitted a FOIA request to the Illinois
State Police (ISP) seeking records regarding his FOID card, including his
application, any application denials, and other documents containing
information that would have made the requestor ineligible for a FOID card. ISP
denied the request in its entirety, citing section 7.5(v) of FOIA, which
exempts from disclosure the names and information of people who have applied
for FOID cards. After the requestor sued claiming that ISP violated FOIA by denying
his request, the circuit court ruled in favor of the requester and ordered ISP
to disclose the responsive FOID card
Continue Reading Person’s Own FOID Card Records Are Exempt from FOIA

Baker Sterchi attorneys Briana Cowell (Kansas City) and Michelle Meloche (St. Louis) have been accepted into the 2024 Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) National Ladder Down Program. They were selected for their unique talents, strengths and dedication to personal and professional growth.
With only 24 spots available, the Ladder Down program offers a year-long opportunity for career advancement. This comprehensive program utilizes a blend of coaching, sponsors and collaboration among participants to empower women lawyers in three key areas: leadership, business development and mentoring. The FDCC is a prestigious organization comprised of leading defense and corporate counsel worldwide,
Continue Reading Two Baker Sterchi Attorneys Accepted into Prestigious FDCC Ladder Down Program

There are some situations in life where personal relationships and the law will intersect. This is true with marriage, which is not just a romantic relationship, but also a legal partnership. Married spouses’ lives will be linked together, and, as a result, the 2 parties will have certain rights and obligations. A prenuptial agreement can serve as a pragmatic foundation for a marriage, ensuring clarity and fairness for both parties right from the beginning. 
While a prenuptial agreement (commonly known as a “prenup”) can provide a legal framework for a couple’s partnership, it may not necessarily affect a couple unless
Continue Reading How to Create a Valid and Enforceable Prenuptial Agreement

One of the most potentially contentious issues in a divorce is child custody. In Illinois, child custody is legally referred to as the allocation of parental responsibilities. When parents cannot reach an amicable parenting agreement, the court may require a custody evaluator to be assigned to the case. A custody evaluator’s role is to assess the situation and provide recommendations that prioritize the best interests of the child. Having an Illinois family lawyer advocate for you in this process is critical.
What Does a Custody Evaluator Do?
Custody evaluators play a crucial role in helping the court make informed
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Suffering injuries in a car accident can often lead to overwhelming medical costs, adding to the stress of recovery. In Illinois, knowing how to control these expenses is crucial for injured individuals seeking to manage their finances effectively during such a challenging time. If you are searching for practical ways to maintain your medical costs after suffering injuries in a car accident, there are strategies you can pursue. Discuss your options with a trained and experienced attorney.
 
At Schwartz Injury Law, our trusted team of personal injury attorneys knows how devastating, both emotionally and financially, the aftermath
Continue Reading Different Ways I Can Control Medical Costs After Suffering Injuries in a Car Accident in Illinois