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Navigating the eviction process can be challenging for Illinois landlords. There are nuances in the law and thorough procedures that must be followed. Making mistakes can delay evictions, lead to lawsuits, and cause significant financial harm. You should be aware of the biggest eviction mistakes. An Illinois lawyer can help you with the process so you do not make the wrong move.
Not Following Proper Notice Procedures
Illinois law requires landlords to formally notify tenants before filing for eviction. This includes serving the appropriate written notice form and waiting for the minimum notice period. For nonpayment of rent, a 
Continue Reading Eviction Mistakes to Avoid in Illinois

Going through a probate can be filled with pitfalls for grieving executors and beneficiaries. But an Illinois attorney can guide you through the complex process smoothly. Common mistakes can be avoided by understanding probate procedures, promptly securing assets, and maintaining meticulous records.

With legal representation, you can minimize disputes, delays, and disruptions when settling your loved one’s estate. You should be aware of key steps to sidestep probate problems and honor their legacy responsibly.
Understanding the Probate Process
Settling an estate through probate can be emotionally and legally challenging. Without guidance, even well-meaning executors and beneficiaries can stumble. A misstep
Continue Reading Sidestepping Probate Pitfalls in Illinois

As a landlord in Illinois, having tenants consistently pay late can be extremely frustrating. You may wonder what options you have to evict a tenant for chronically late rent with the help of an Illinois attorney. Here is what Illinois landlords need to know about evicting tenants for late rent payments.
Notice Requirements for Late Rent
Before a tenant in Illinois can be evicted for late rent, you must provide proper written notice. The notice must specify the amount owed and provide at least five days for the tenant to pay before you can file for eviction.

If the
Continue Reading Can I Evict a Tenant in Illinois for Late Rent Payments?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers individuals overwhelmed by debt a fresh start. However, misconceptions often surround this legal process, leading to confusion and misinformation. Today, we will be debunking some of the most common misconceptions regarding Chapter 7 bankruptcy, empowering individuals with accurate knowledge and dispelling myths associated with this debt relief option. If you are considering filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, contact an experienced bankruptcy attorney to ensure you receive the critical legal guidance you need during this trying time. 
Losing Everything
One significant misconception is that filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy means losing all assets. In reality, exceptions exist
Continue Reading Debunking Common Misconceptions Regarding Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Radon is a harmful substance that is found in the ground. Sometimes, radon can leach out of the ground and appear in the basement of residential homes. When a homeowner wants to sell, tests will usually be performed during the sale process to determine the home’s radon levels. If they come back showing high levels of radon, it can throw a wrench into the residential real estate transaction process. Deals can still go through, even with a high radon level, but they usually require some adjustment. 
Radon Is a Dangerous Gas
Radon is a gas that is created when
Continue Reading How Can Radon Complicate the Sale of a Home?

Many people who file for bankruptcy believe that they will never be able to get any kind of credit in the future. They believe that things like a new car are out of reach. It is possible to get car loans after bankruptcy, but you will need to pay more for it. A Geneva bankruptcy lawyer can advise you of the potential effects of declaring bankruptcy and what could happen in the following years. 
You Can Get Some Types of Credit
In general, bankruptcy will remain on your record for seven years after the process concludes. The bankruptcy will continue
Continue Reading Can I Buy a Car After Bankruptcy?

For most adults, the prospect of being unable to make your own decisions is not something we want to consider. While this is understandable, incapacitation planning is still a crucial part of the estate planning process. Planning for the possibility of severe illness is important regardless of your age, health, or financial circumstances.
A power of attorney is an estate planning tool that lets you choose another individual to make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. In this blog, we will answer some of the most common questions people have about powers of attorney in Illinois.
What Does
Continue Reading FAQs Regarding Powers of Attorney in Illinois

As a landlord, the last thing you want is to be forced to evict a tenant. Not only is the eviction process complicated and often expensive, landlords also must cope with the emotional toll that comes along with evicting someone from their home. At DLAW, PC we help landlords throughout the eviction process.
In Illinois, there is a specific process for eviction known as Forcible Entry and Detainer. This legal action allows landlords to regain control of their rental property when a tenant fails to comply with lease terms or pay rent.

Providing Notice of the Pending Eviction to
Continue Reading The Forcible Entry and Detainer Process for Illinois Landlords

Finding out that you are being sued by a creditor for unpaid debt can be extremely upsetting. Many people with debt try their best to repay it, but life circumstances and unexpected financial obligations get in the way. If you are being sued by a creditor, you may understandably worry about the consequences. Lawsuits like these can lead to wage garnishment, property liens, the seizure of assets, or other measures to collect the debt. Many people in this situation wonder whether they should file for bankruptcy.

Will Bankruptcy Stop the Lawsuit?
When someone files for bankruptcy, an “automatic stay”
Continue Reading Should I File for Bankruptcy if I Am Sued by a Creditor? 

Many people assume that estate planning only deals with the distribution of assets after an individual’s death. However, testamentary planning is only part of the estate planning process. It is also essential to plan for the possibility of becoming incapacitated by illness or injury. If you became terminally ill and could not express your wishes regarding medical care, what types of care would you want? Do you want doctors to try everything to keep you alive as long as possible or would you prefer not to be placed on mechanical ventilation or to receive CPR?
These are extremely personal decisions,
Continue Reading Living Wills and Incapacitation Planning

Anyone can find themselves facing bankruptcy. Whether caused by job loss, medical bills, an unmanageable mortgage, or other reasons, bankruptcy can be a difficult and stressful experience. For those facing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the prospect of liquidation of assets can be foreboding. However, some assets are exempt from liquidation during this process. Certain items cannot be touched by creditors or the court-appointed trustee who will oversee the liquidation process.
Exemptions During Liquidation Bankruptcy
Many people hesitate to even consider bankruptcy because they assume that they will lose all of their possessions. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is often called “liquidation
Continue Reading What Assets Are Exempt from Liquidation During Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Illinois?

The experience of buying a home can be exciting, but it can also be a daunting task. One of the most important steps in the home-buying process is completing a title search. This process is designed to ensure that you are buying a home with clear legal ownership, free from liens or any other encumbrances. By performing a thorough title search, you can rest assured that you are the rightful owner of your new home.
What Is a Title Search?
When someone puts their home for sale on the market, it is only reasonable to assume that the seller has
Continue Reading What Is a Title Search and Why Is It So Important?

If you are evaluating your estate planning options, you may have several questions about the advantages and disadvantages of various estate planning instruments. Trusts are popular options for passing assets to heirs in an estate plan. However, there are many different types of trusts, and the type of trust you choose will depend on your individual circumstances and goals. The two main categories of trusts are revocable and irrevocable trusts.
Benefits of a Revocable Trust
Revocable trusts, sometimes referred to as “living trusts” can be modified or revoked by the trust creator during his or her lifetime. This type of
Continue Reading Comparing Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts

Bankruptcy can be a wonderful tool for escaping insurmountable debt, slowly righting your credit score, and stopping a barrage of collections efforts. However, it is important to enter the process of filing for bankruptcy with a clear and complete understanding of the effects these proceedings will have on your life, both in the short and long term. An inventory of assets should be taken, and a careful analysis to determine which form of bankruptcy would best serve your current interests conducted. These analyses are best conducted by a knowledgeable attorney who is aware of all relevant factors and can provide
Continue Reading Questions to Ask Before Filing for Bankruptcy

More and more people are choosing trusts in place of or in addition to traditional wills. There are quite a few advantages to using trusts. Your beneficiaries will probably not need to go through probate before they can receive their gifts. You can gradually distribute money over time instead of handing your beneficiaries a lump sum, providing long-term financial benefits. Trusts can also help you keep everything private, as no one but your beneficiaries and trustee should be able to even see your trust document. Trust administration is usually less costly than probate as well.

However, there is still
Continue Reading How Do Trusts Work?

The decision to buy a home is a big one. Purchasing, rather than renting, is a long-term investment. There are quite a few advantages to buying a home, but there is also some risk involved. The residential real estate market is fast-paced and competitive at the moment. It can be difficult to do a thorough investigation and “jump on” a place quickly enough. Before you pull the trigger on a place and sign a potentially decades-long mortgage agreement, there are a few questions you should find the answers to. It is best to have an attorney helping you to
Continue Reading Questions You Need Answered Before Buying a Home