Sexual harassment in the workplace has become a hot button issue in recent years. After celebrities such as Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer were publicly scrutinized for accusations of workplace sexual harassment, more and more people started taking notice of the issue.
As an employee, it is crucial that you understand your rights under Illinois and federal law. Many workers unknowingly allow discriminatory and offensive behavior to go unchecked because they are not aware of the rights and the legal safeguards designed to protect them. This allows perpetrators to continue their unlawful behavior and avoid being held accountable for…
Continue Reading Sexual Harassment and Discrimination: What Are My Rights as an Employee?

Property division, parenting plans, child support – with so many things to contend with during a divorce case, tax considerations often get put on the back burner. If you are planning to divorce, it is very important that you understand how the divorce will influence your tax obligations and prepare appropriately. Educating yourself about tax-related matters now can help you avoid unpleasant surprises and unexpected fees later on.
Tax Filing Status
Once the divorce is finalized, you and your spouse will file taxes separately. During the divorce process, however, you may still be allowed to file jointly. If your divorce…
Continue Reading Tax Considerations to Be Aware of in Your DuPage County Divorce

When a marriage nears its end, the situation can become contentious rather quickly. Both spouses may deal with feelings of resentment, guilt, anger, and fear. Another common element in many divorces is the financial strain that comes with it. If one spouse cannot afford to move out, then the spouses may be stuck living together until a solution can be reached.
Many spouses question whether they can even get a divorce if they are still living together. They wonder if there is a mandatory separation period in Illinois before divorce is permitted and how long it must last. 
If you…
Continue Reading What If I Want to Divorce but Cannot Afford to Move Out? 

Even though the Illinois legal system has developed a sophisticated process for handling complaints of sexual harassment, many people still endure this unacceptable behavior at work and are unsure how to handle it. Worries about embarrassment in front of colleagues, a desire to avoid confrontation, and/or a fear of retaliation often keep people from speaking up about sexual harassment when it happens. Sometimes, it can be difficult to recognize that inappropriate behavior is sexual harassment until after the fact. 
However, it is essential to speak up and take action when you feel that are being sexually harassed. There are…
Continue Reading Can I Take Action Against Sexual Harassment if I Did Not Complain at the Time? 

People who work hard and take professional risks are often rewarded with commensurately high incomes. While this can be a major personal boon, when it comes to divorce, having a significant income or high net worth can create complications. One of the most complicated areas of divorce for high-net-worth individuals and families is that of alimony (known technically as “spousal maintenance” in Illinois). Cases involving alimony for separated high-net-worth couples can be complex and difficult to predict, leading to frustration for both spouses. Understanding the law in this regard is essential for setting realistic expectations and negotiating for fair…
Continue Reading How is Alimony Handled in High Net Worth Divorces? 

In 2016, Illinois updated the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) to better meet the needs of unmarried and divorced couples. The current law altered the language to represent modern parenting styles more accurately. Instead of one parent being the primary custodian and the other parent merely having visitation rights, the law now describes parenting duties as being shared between the parents. Parents who are getting divorced should be sure to understand the new law, as it differs somewhat from laws in surrounding states, both in terminology and function. 
The allocation of parental responsibilities is an important part…
Continue Reading What Are Parental Responsibilities? 

The time before a marriage is often one of great excitement and anticipation. It can also be a time of enormous stress – especially if one fiancé announces unexpectedly to the other that his or her parents want a prenuptial agreement to be signed before the marriage can take place. The partner who is given the option to either sign a prenuptial agreement or cancel the wedding may feel a wide range of emotions – surprise, confusion, and uncertainty, just to name a few.
 If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to take a deep breath and…
Continue Reading What Should I Do if My Partner’s Parents Want Me to Sign a Prenup?

Victims of sexual harassment are often torn about who to tell and where to go for help. Depending on the details of the harassment, you may not know who in your company you should go to or you may even feel uncomfortable speaking to the person you need to speak to. Furthermore, you may not want the person harassing you to get in serious criminal trouble, even if you are intent on getting the harassment to stop. If any of this sounds familiar to you, speak with an Illinois sexual harassment attorney right away. 
Do I Go to the Police…
Continue Reading Are Sexual Harassment Lawsuits Civil or Criminal Cases?

Starting a business and getting it up and running is no small endeavor. It takes an enormous amount of effort, commitment, and consistency to succeed in business ownership, and many different factors exist that constantly threaten the success of a business. Although many business owners are aware of the dangers of competitors, supply chain difficulties, and rising office rental prices, there can also be another source of danger that they do not suspect until it is too late: divorce. 
Business assets are generally considered part of the marital estate. Unless your business is specifically protected by a prenuptial or …
Continue Reading Using a Postnuptial Agreement to Protect Your Growing Business 

Modern relationships are often complicated, especially when they come to an end. In times past, people rarely got divorced or had children out of wedlock, and when they did, there was a hefty amount of social stigma attached to their actions. Thankfully, we have moved past the era where people, especially women, were severely restricted in their actions and family law systems across the country have been updated to reflect a more accurate reality. 
In Illinois, family law no longer automatically gives preference to the mother in matters like child custody (known as parental responsibilities and parenting time). However, Illinois…
Continue Reading What Can I Do if I Think My Ex is Making False Allegations of Paternity? 

 
United States employees in every field have protections that guarantee fair treatment under the law. Some of these laws, such as nondiscrimination laws and sexual harassment protection laws, are federal. Others, such as minimum wage laws, vary from state to state. Illinois has a specific statute that protects hotel room attendants. Hotel workers are not only at risk of harassment and abuse from hotel patrons, but also poor working conditions, especially when they speak limited English or do not have a thorough knowledge of their legal rights. 
Fortunately, if you work at a hotel, motel, or another licensed establishment…
Continue Reading Cook County Hotel Employees Are Guaranteed Employment Rights Under Illinois Law

Unexpectedly finding out that you are a father of a young child can be one of the greatest shocks a person ever goes through. Perhaps you heard something through the rumor mill about an ex-girlfriend; perhaps a picture appeared on social media of an ex with a young child who looks remarkably like you did when you were younger. Whatever the circumstances, if you find yourself wondering whether it is too late to establish paternity of a child, you should learn more about your options from an Illinois paternity lawyer. 
How is Paternity Established in Illinois? 
In most cases, parents…
Continue Reading Can I Try to Establish Paternity if My Child is Already Several Years Old?