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According to many studies, one in every four American women will face intimate partner violence throughout the course of their lives. In instances of domestic violence, it is critically important to act quickly to remove yourself, and any potentially endangered family members, from the harmful situation. It is not uncommon for the violence to escalate to life-threatening harm, in cases of domestic violence. Below we will examine the various types of orders of protection that a qualified attorney can assist you in securing.
Once you have decided to take the steps to remove yourself from the harmful situation you were living in, your attorney will assist you throughout the entirety of the process. The first step will be to apply for an order of protection through a judge, that directs the offender to stay away. Once you have applied for the order of protection, you must prove that you are endangered by your spouse. In instances of domestic violence, a sworn statement from the victim will suffice as necessary evidence for the judge to issue an emergency order. After the temporary order has been placed, the defendant will be notified of the order, and a hearing will be held to determine whether or not the defendant will have a more permanent order (a plenary order) placed against them.
As a couple navigates the divorce process, it is entirely common for both parties to be concerned about a number of issues. How will marital assets be divided between the spouses? How will parental responsibilities be allocated? Will I be able to secure a healthy financial future for my family? If you have been named the primary parent, after your divorce, the financial toll of raising your children on your own can be incredibly challenging. Because of this, it is critically important to establish a child support payment plan with your former spouse. When it comes to issues of child support, it is crucial to hire an attorney you can believe in.
Here in the state of Illinois, child support payment amounts are calculated through a number of factors. The first component that will be considered, is the gross income of both parents. The gross income calculation will include any court-ordered spousal maintenance from either a current or former spouse. The court will then combine the net income of both parents, and estimate the amount of money usually spent on a child, on a monthly basis. This calculation includes the cost of groceries, school tuition, and medical expenses, and is known as the basic support obligation. If the child lives with a primary parent, the other parent will likely be asked to pay half of all basic support obligations.
When a person is pulled over by a police officer or highway patrolmen, it is entirely common to feel helpless. If you are driving home after a night spent with friends and are fearful that you may be driving over the legal limit for blood alcohol content (the nationwide legal BAC limit is 0.08), it is important to know how to react. If convicted of a DUI, you could face significant fines, loss of driving privileges, and even potential jail time. Due to the severity of the criminal punishment that an offender can face for driving under the influence, it can be wise to refuse chemical testing. Below we will examine the potential ramifications of a test refusal.
According to Illinois state law, a driver must adhere to an officer’s request for a chemical test. This is written in Illinois’ implied consent law, which states that a driver has authorized consent for testing of breath, urine, or blood if an officer deems probable cause of intoxication. It should be noted that refusal of chemical testing is not a criminal offense, but can come with significant ramifications.
Here in the state of Illinois, thousands of drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, each year. According to statistics compiled by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, a staggering 27,046 DUI arrests were made statewide, throughout 2017. After being charged with driving under the influence, it is important to act quickly. A DUI conviction can not only come with harsh criminal punishment, but also significantly impact other aspects of your life. From difficulty securing employment to challenges finding housing opportunities, a DUI charge should not be taken lightly. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is important to speak with a legal professional.
Due to the dangers of drinking and driving, the legal implications of a DUI conviction are incredibly harsh, in Illinois. If convicted, a first-time DUI offender will likely face a Class A misdemeanor, up to a year in prison, and as much as $2,500 in fines. A first-time DUI conviction will also result in a driver’s license suspension. While a second DUI conviction still constitutes a Class A misdemeanor, the driver will face license revocation for a minimum of five years. In the event of a third conviction, the legal punishments become much more severe.
Here in the United States, it is well documented that approximately half of all marriages end in divorce. A divorce can be a challenging time for all parties involved, especially the spouses separating. When children are involved in the divorce process, a resolution can be hard to come by. In cases of domestic violence or narcotic abuse, it is necessary for a spouse to secure sole custody rights of their children. Yet in the vast majority of cases, a joint custody parenting plan can be the right choice. As you plan for a divorce, it is important to seek out the guidance of an understanding legal team, that can help you navigate the process of separation.
As you begin your life independently from your spouse, every parent’s top concern is the wellbeing of their children. While a joint custody parenting agreement can present some challenges, the benefits in terms of child development can far outweigh any adversity.
On an annual basis, thousands of Americans make the difficult decision to pursue a divorce. A divorce can be an emotionally turbulent process. Without proper planning and competent legal guidance, one can come out of a divorce in less than ideal financial standing. As you prepare for the divorce process, it is critically important to speak with your legal team regarding the aspects of your separation, that are most important to you.
Throughout your divorce, you need to understand the way in which certain aspects of your divorce can seriously impact your future. Fortunately, a quality legal team can help you smoothly navigate these issues.
Your Financial Future: A divorce can monumentally change the outlook of your finances. Speaking with your attorney about tax consequences of your divorce, the stability of your retirement plan, and the implications of marital debt can save you potential heartache down the road. As you prepare for divorce litigation, providing your attorney with a complete understanding of your financial situation can help them develop a plan that will ensure financial comfortability moving forward.
Here in the state of Illinois, a reckless driving charge can come with serious legal ramifications. According to Illinois state law, a reckless driving conviction constitutes a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, a Class A misdemeanor can come with up to $2,500 in fines, a maximum prison sentence of one year, and marks against our license. If a driver accumulates 3 traffic violations within a 12 month period, they will likely face a license suspension. It is important to note that reckless driving resulting in injuries to another party, come with more severe legal ramifications. If you have been charged with reckless driving, it is important to take the offense seriously. In the event of a traffic violation, contact a legal team that you can believe in.
After being convicted of a crime, many people believe that they will be permanently marred by one mistake. A criminal record can impact you at important times in your life, such as when searching for employment or exploring housing options. Fortunately, in the state of Illinois, there are avenues one can pursue to remove convictions from their permanent record, the most common form being expungement.
An expungement is defined as a court-ordered process in which any legal record of a prior arrest or conviction is sealed or removed from a criminal record. If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, speak with an experienced attorney regarding your options, moving forward.
In a large number of criminal convictions, expungement is possible. In some cases, expungement can be granted immediately. If your case was stricken on leave (SOL), carried a lack of probable cause, or was acquitted in court, you may be eligible for immediate expungement.
Every single year, thousands of Americans are abused by an intimate partner. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), one American is abused every 20 minutes, throughout the United States. Domestic abuse does not always come in the form of physical violence but can manifest through intimidation tactics, verbal abuse, and psychological belittling. If you have a loved one or friend that is facing any form of domestic abuse, it is important to contact law enforcement officials immediately.
For those harmed by an intimate partner, the abuse can have life-long impacts on the mental and emotional well-being of the victim. Outside of the initial violence, victims of domestic violence are more likely to cause themselves self-harm, struggle with maintaining employment, and battle substance abuse issues. The psychological implications of domestic violence are well-documented, and every case of intimate partner abuse should be taken incredibly seriously.
Every year, thousands of Americans make the difficult decision to file for divorce. For many couples, divorce represents a new lease on life, full of exciting possibilities. Yet, for parents fighting for sole custody of their children, the divorce process can be incredibly nerve-wracking. Many fathers believe that winning sole-custody of their children is a near impossibility. In all reality, fathers win custody routinely, throughout the United States, but it is important to work with your attorneys on how to approach your custody battle. If you believe that you should possess custody of your children, contact an experienced legal team, as soon as possible.
Every parent wants to have a relationship with their children, tragically for many fathers, they are robbed of any semblance of a parental relationship. Throughout the United States, a staggering 27% of fathers have no contact with their children at all. In many cases, this is due to the difficulty that fathers face winning custody battles.
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