Distracted driving is responsible for on average, over 3,000 fatalities each year nationwide. These are some of the most preventable traffic deaths – all drivers must do to avoid these serious car accidents is to pay attention to the road. One of the most important duties drivers have is to remain aware of what is going on around them. Drivers who are simply not watching the road can find themselves causing a major wreck very, very quickly. Cell phones are one of the most common distractions. Countless public awareness campaigns regarding cell phone use while driving have likely had some…
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Probate is not a quick and easy legal proceeding. It can take time, money, and a lot of patience to get through. It can also take significant legal skills if there are difficulties at any point in the process. When you are grieving the loss of a loved one, probate may be the absolute last thing you want to deal with. The added stress of trying to handle a complex legal procedure alone can be overwhelming. There are parts of probate that may be frustrating or confusing. There are a lot of parties who need to be notified, and there…
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Most of the time, getting hurt in a car accident is a temporary problem. While being injured b a negligent driver can be deeply upsetting and physically painful, odds are, your life will eventually go back to normal. However, in the most severe cases, a car accident can be permanently life-altering. Not all injuries can be fully healed. Some people may find themselves needing help with tasks they used to be able to perform independently. Others will have to change career paths or miss out on achieving other goals they had. The one saving grace in this type of situation…
Continue Reading 4 Ways a Car Accident Can Change Your Life

When an injury from a car accident disrupts your life, the costs can add up quickly. It is not just the obvious out-of-pocket expenses like the medical bills from the day of the accident and the cost of your vehicle. Often, the true cost of a car crash cannot be accurately calculated until weeks or even months later. Some car accident victims ultimately have to change career paths, require ongoing medical treatment, or otherwise suffer hidden economic losses. This is one of the reasons that accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company too quickly and without consulting an attorney…
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The fact is that most people who live to a certain age are likely to experience age-related mental incapacity. Alzheimer’s, dementia, and the natural effects of aging can lead you to become confused, disoriented, and unable to make important decisions or manage your own affairs. Someone else will have to step in and start making medical and personal decisions, as well as managing your finances. If no incapacity planning has been done, the most likely solution is court-ordered guardianship. Guardianship proceedings are public and can be very upsetting to the ward, who has little or no say over who the…
Continue Reading What is Incapacity Planning and Why is it Important?

Even under the best of circumstances, probate can be a complicated legal procedure. Months or even years could pass between the day your family member’s will (if there is one) is submitted to the probate court to the day you are able to collect your inheritance. There are a lot of steps involved with probate, all of which need to be carefully followed to avoid delays or unnecessary expenses. The sheer complexity of probate means this process is generally best supervised by a qualified attorney who is familiar with the procedures and can handle any potential pitfalls. If you anticipate…
Continue Reading 4 Problems That Can Complicate Illinois Probate

Frankly, everyone who is able to make a living will should have one. No one can predict the future – even young and healthy individuals can find themselves in a situation where they are at least temporarily incapacitated and unable to make medical decisions for themselves. There are some individuals for whom having a living will is particularly important. If you are interested in creating a living will, you will want to work with a qualified attorney to make sure all your wishes are expressed accurately in the document.
When Should I Make a Living Will?
The short answer is,…
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Both wills and trusts are important estate planning documents that can be used to govern what happens to your property after your death. Each comes with distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is best to speak to a qualified estate planning attorney who can help you design a comprehensive estate plan—which may include one or both documents—based on your unique situation.
What Are the Main Differences Between Wills and Trusts?
Wills and trusts are both legal documents that allow you to dictate what will happen to your property after you have died. However, there are significant differences.
For example, wills and…
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Managing an estate takes a great deal of responsibility and good decision-making capabilities. This is true throughout the entire estate planning process; however, it becomes especially significant toward late adulthood. Unfortunately, not all individuals are capable of managing their estate effectively on their own. In these instances, it may be necessary to request and appoint guardianship over the estate owner. Through diligent research, effort, and collaboration with an experienced elder law attorney, successful guardianship is possible.
When is Estate Guardianship Necessary?
In Illinois, guardianship may be granted in instances where an individual, known as the ward, is not capable of…
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency that oversees workplace safety in the United States. The agency has designated construction sites as one of the most dangerous workplaces because of the high number of deaths and injuries of construction workers each year. The agency has even identified the top construction site hazards, referred to as the “Fatal Four,” that are responsible for the most construction site accident deaths. These four are falls, struck by an object, electrocutions, and caught-in/between, compressed or crushed.
Hazardous Materials
The Fatal Four are also responsible for a high number of violations…
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