Recent Blog Posts
Most Common Types of White Collar Crimes
White collar crimes are offenses that occur when a person uses some form of deception to produce financial gain. These types of crimes are usually committed by business people who have access to large amounts of money because of their position. It can take months and even years for prosecution to construct a case against someone before charging them with a white collar crime. The five most common types of white collar crimes include:
- Tax Evasion. Tax evasion occurs when a person fails to file a tax return, fails to pay their taxes, under reports their income, makes false deductions, or claims fraudulent business expenses or losses. It can be a state or federal crime and lead to a lengthy prison sentence upon conviction. Some defenses to tax evasion are that you were given wrong advice by your tax preparer, you had no criminal intent, or you did not understand the tax forms.
6 Common Misconceptions about Alimony
Spousal support, or alimony, occurs when one spouse pays another in a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to reduce any unfair economic advantages one spouse has over the other.
Courts will evaluate the financial situation of each spouse before and after the divorce in order to determine alimony eligibility and amount. We have compiled this list of six of the most common misconceptions about alimony so that you can gain a greater understanding of what it is and how it works.
Men are always the ones paying alimony. In the past, it was common for men to pay alimony. However, since more and more women are the primary breadwinners in today's society, it is becoming more common for women to pay alimony to their husbands.
- Alimony is permanent. Contrary to popular belief, alimony is based on the length of a marriage and does not last forever. In many cases, it is only awarded for a short period of time. It may stop once a spouse reenters the job market and is able to support themselves without any assistance.
6 Ways to Prepare for Your Divorce Trial
When you are going through a divorce in Illinois, your goal should be to achieve the best possible outcome for yourself, ensuring that you will have the resources you need as you embark on the next phase of your life. One of the ways to make this happen is to be well-prepared for your divorce trial. Here is a list of six tips to help you prepare for trial and increase your chances of securing a favorable outcome:
1. Dress Appropriately. When you show up for your trial, you should be dressed professionally. Rather than dressing casually or wearing a provocative outfit, you should wear a suit or clothing that gives you a clean and neat appearance. If you have any tattoos or piercings, be sure to cover them up.
2. Stay on Point While Testifying. You may be tempted to tell the judge everything when it is time for you testify. However, doing so may aggravate the judge and make your case less compelling. Try to keep your answers short and avoid volunteering unnecessary information.
3. Control Yourself When Your Spouse or Their Lawyer Speaks. Although it is easier said than done, you should control your emotions when your spouse or his or her lawyer speaks in court. Avoid rolling your eyes, interrupting, sighing, or doing anything else that will make you appear rude or disrespectful, since these actions could be used against you. If you believe your spouse is saying something false, quietly inform your lawyer.
4. Listen Carefully to Questions. Prior to answering, you should be sure you fully understand the question being asked. By doing so, you can ensure that you answer it correctly and avoid stating something that does not make sense to the judge or volunteering inappropriate information. If you get asked a complicated question that you do not understand, ask the judge or attorney to repeat it. Never answer a question you are unclear about.
5. Be Yourself. During a trial, act as you normally would. Do not try to be someone that you are simply not. A lack of sincerity will likely hurt rather than help you.
6. Consult With Your Lawyer. Your lawyer has been to many trials, meaning they can help you prepare for what to expect and answer any questions you may have. Talk to them and use their knowledge and experience to your advantage.
Contact Our Joliet Divorce Lawyers
Although you cannot change the facts of your case or the laws governing divorce in Illinois, following these tips can raise your chances of getting the outcome you want. If you are planning on filing for divorce and need experienced legal representation to guide you through the process and trial, do not hesitate to reach out to our Joliet divorce lawyers. Call us today at 815-666-1285 for a personalized consultation.
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5 Common Signs of Domestic Violence
Sadly, people are sometimes unaware that they are a victim of domestic violence, because the signs of abuse are often overlooked, excused, or denied. In addition, many people believe that domestic violence is limited to physical abuse, when in reality, it can include emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. You should contact a family law attorney to learn about your rights and options if you notice any of these five signs of domestic violence in your relationship:
- Your partner controls your finances. If your partner has to approve your spending or tell you how much you are allowed to spend on groceries, bills, and miscellaneous expenses, you may be a victim of domestic abuse. This is especially true if you are also contributing to your joint income and have no say in how your money is being spent.
- Your partner tries to cover up acts of violence. If your partner abuses you in any way, they may try to “make up” for the abuse by buying you items such as flowers or jewelry. You should know that materialistic items can never forgive abuse and cannot cover up an abuser's actions.
Financial Planning in Your Divorce Can Mitigate Against Extreme Financial Loss
No one can dispute the emotional nature of a divorce but it is crucial that parties do not allow their emotions to overshadow the financial aspects of their case. Otherwise, they may run the risk of extreme financial loss. Learn more about how you can mitigate this issue with careful financial planning and the assistance of an attorney.
Star Planning Sooner, Rather Than Later
While it is possible to handle divorce matters over a short time-period, those who plan early tend to have better outcomes because they are more prepared for the process. Some manage to save money. Others seek help from a financial advisor to obtain advice on where and how to spend or invest their settlement or to gain a better understanding of their own finances and how to manage them. Regardless of how you prepare, do it sooner, rather than later.
Avoid Making Hasty Decisions
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – Understanding the Charges and Potential Consequences
Although the United States Constitution does protect the gun ownership rights of Americans, certain situations in the state of Illinois could lead to criminal charges – even in an otherwise legal scenario. For example, one cannot carry a weapon into specific buildings, even with a conceal and carry license. If you are caught doing so, you could be charged and subsequently convicted of a crime. Learn more about the types of situations that may lead to criminal charges related to unlawful possession of a firearm in Illinois, and discover how an experienced attorney can help you fight back against the potential consequences of a conviction.
Possession of a Firearm in Protected Locations
Individuals who possess a conceal and carry license are usually permitted to carry their weapons on them in public, but there are specific areas in which possession of a firearm is prohibited. Schools and other federal buildings, such as post offices and courthouses are some of the more obvious restricted locations, but establishments that sell alcohol are also restricted. If found to be in violation of this law, you could be looking at a Class 4 felony.
Delaying Divorce for the Kids Could Do More Harm Than Good
When parents are faced with the decision of divorce, they often consider the well-being of their children. While, in many ways, this is a positive thing, it can convince parents to put off an inevitable divorce for the sake of their children. Sadly, this could end up doing more harm than good. Learn more about the risks associated with delayed divorce when you have kids and discover how an experienced attorney can assist you in taking the next step.
Study Shows Conflict is the True Cause of Maladjustment
Research has long shown that kids can be negatively affected by divorce. However, as science learns more about how the brain develops, they learn that it may not be divorce itself causing the negative effects in children. Instead, it could be contention (and the stress that may result from it).
In a recent study, scientists examined data on more than 19,000 children and their families. What they found was that about 50 percent of the non-cognitive “child skill gaps” was caused by a conflict between the parents – not divorce. In fact, divorce seemed to have only a “marginal impact” in the development of these skill gaps, which included behaviors and maladjustments such as dropping out of school, difficulties in the workplace, emotional problems, and poor or tumultuous intimate relationships. This information not only challenges the common belief that divorce negatively affects children; it nearly blows it out of the water entirely.
What It Means to Be Registered as a Sex Offender in Illinois
Conviction of a sex offense can lead to serious consequences. It may also require you to register as a sex offender. Learn what it means to be registered as a sex offender in the state of Illinois, including how it may impact your career and personal life, with help from the following information. You shall also learn how an experienced criminal defense lawyer can mitigate against the potential consequences of a criminal sex offense charge.
Who Must Register as a Sex Offender?
Individuals who are convicted of a sex offense are referred to by the justice system as criminal sex offenders. Anyone who falls under this classification is required to register as an offender. Duration of registration typically lasts for 10 years, but there are situations that could warrant a longer registration period. Adjudicated juvenile offenders may not be required to register on the public website, but their information may still be distributed to local schools and daycares.
Examining the True Cost of Late-Life Divorce
Although the rate of divorce in America has declined across most age groups, later-life divorces have more than doubled over the last two decades. Relationship experts, financial advisors, religious leaders, and family law professionals all have their theories as to why this trend is occurring, but there seems to be one universal concern: the financial, emotional, physiological, and mental health of each party is at risk. Learn why, and discover how you may be able to mitigate against the potential risks during your divorce with help from the following information.
Money and the Late-Life Divorce
Being married to someone for a decade or two leads to the inevitable procurement of stuff – homes, vehicles, antiques, artwork, etc. – but it is often on a much larger scale than most divorces. Parties may have been married so long that they may not even agree on when certain assets were acquired (and they might not have receipts). All this means more legal fees for later-life divorcees. However, it is not just the cost of the divorce that is problematic.
Fighting a Marijuana DUI Charge in Illinois
While most drivers know that it is both illegal and potentially dangerous to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they also tend to assume that only the guilty are convicted of such crimes. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In fact, countless individuals – many of them registered medical marijuana patients – have been wrongly convicted of driving while under the influence of marijuana. Some of them remain imprisoned, still today. The following explains why and how and why this is happening, and it explains how an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help with your case.
Illinois' Marijuana Legal Limit
THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, stores itself in the fat cells of the body, which is why it can be detected in a person's blood and saliva far longer than other drugs. Prior to last year, this well-known fact was not considered in marijuana-related DUI cases. Instead, patients could be charged with a DUI, even if they only had a trace amount of THC in their system. Then the state finally implemented legal limits for THC (5ng in the blood and 10ng in saliva). Sadly, this change – although capable of reducing the number of wrongfully convicted medical marijuana patients – may still fall short of protecting every at-risk patient.
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