When the process of divorce begins, many people will attempt to hold on to what they consider their own money. Believe it or not, some even have bank accounts and engage in financial activities that their spouse is not aware of. If you would like to ensure you receive a fair divorce settlement, it is essential to expose any hidden assets. Here are some tips on where to look for hidden assets during a divorce.

Tax Returns

Since hiding income from the IRS can lead to serious penalties such as hefty fines and even prison, most people do not hide their income. If possible, closely examine tax returns from the past five years to search for any income inconsistencies, trusts, or real estate holdings.

Checking Account Statements and Canceled Checks

If there is a canceled check for a purchase you were unaware of, there will be a significant difference in the total assets divided. If possible, obtain copies of all financial accounts and keep a close eye on checking account statements and canceled checks.

Savings Accounts

Take a close look at any savings accounts and determine whether there are any unusual deposits or withdrawals. They may mean your spouse is hiding an asset such a dividend.

The Courthouse

If your soon to be ex-spouse borrowed money from a mortgage company or bank, you can receive a copy of their loan application from the courthouse. Their loan application will reveal all of their assets and estimated values and can give you a clear idea of what they are worth.

The County Auditor

The county auditor will have information related to any money that your soon to be ex may have taken from savings accounts and used to purchase real estate. You will be able to easily find any homes or land they own as well as the address and taxable value of each.

Lifestyle Analysis

Consider the lifestyle of your soon to be ex-partner. Does their income match the type of clothing they wear, the car they drive, and activities they participate in? If you believe their lifestyle is more lavish than their reported income could support, they may be hiding assets from you.

Contact Our Plainfield Divorce Lawyers

Although our Plainfield divorce lawyers can help you search for hidden assets, you should take a proactive role in looking for them. To ensure your rights are protected during your divorce case, we encourage you to contact our highly skilled Plainfield divorce lawyers at 815-666-1285 for a consultation.

Source:

http://www.divorceandfinance.org/news/284737/Techniques-for-Discovering-Hidden-Assets-and-Unreported-Income-During-the-Divorce-Process.htm

More and more couples are protecting their financial futures by signing a prenup before they get married. However, many of them are making certain mistakes that could hurt them rather than help them in the event their marriage does not work out. Here are some of the most common prenup mistakes to avoid.

No Independent Legal Representation

It is important for both parties to hire separate attorneys. This way, each attorney can help each party thoroughly understand the prenuptial agreement. It can be difficult for both parties to feel comfortable with the prenup parameters if they have the same attorney.

Allowing Emotions to Get in the Way

Sometimes, couples let their emotions get in the way and are unable to communicate and clearly think about what is right for their future. Couples should understand that a marriage is a financial partnership in addition to a romantic partnership. It is vital they view their marriage as a business transaction and try to put their emotions aside.

Continuing to Think About the Prenup

After couples have carefully designed a prenup and discussed it, they should sign it and move on with their lives. Rather than continuing to think about the prenup, they should focus on their engagement and marriage and hope they never have to think about their prenup again.

Not Wanting to Talk About It

It is true. Talking about a prenup is not as fun as talking about a wedding or honeymoon. However, by not talking about it, someone can be hurt in the future. It is imperative that couples communicate about what to include in their prenup and work together to design one that will protect them both if things work out. Failing to do so can lead to financial hardship in the future.

Failing to Disclose All Assets and Debts

The court may consider a prenup invalid if one party does not completely disclose all of their assets and debts. Therefore, it is vital that each party is forthcoming about all of their financial information in the agreement.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

Often times, couples wait until a few weeks or days before their wedding to sign their prenup. This is risky because one party can argue that they were forced into signing the agreement if a divorce does arise. If possible, prenups should be signed three to six months before the wedding.

Contact Our Plainfield Divorce Lawyers

To ensure your prenup is constructed properly and you do not make any of these common mistakes, reach out to our experienced Plainfield divorce lawyers at 815-666-1285 for a consultation.

Source:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-centeno/10-common-prenup-pitfalls_b_4214860.html

Losing someone you love because of another person's negligence is devastating. The loss of a family member can leave you with emotional issues and financial challenges. While compensation cannot change what happened or bring your loved one back, a wrongful death claim can assist you and your family financially.

What Causes Wrongful Death?

When someone loses their life because of the negligence of another person, wrongful death occurs. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death include:

• Car accidents;
• Truck accidents;
• Defective products;
• Slip and fall accidents; and
• Medical malpractice.

What to Do After Losing a Loved One

Once you have found out that your family member has passed away because of someone else's negligence, you will likely be overwhelmed with emotions. In order to protect your rights as well as physical and mental health, follow these steps:

• Spend time with other surviving family members;
• Meet with a funeral coordinator and plan the funeral;
• Schedule an appointment with a mental health counselor or join a grief support group;
• Collect evidence; and
• Consult an experienced wrongful death lawyer.

How Can a Wrongful Death Lawyer Help

If you would like to hold the party that caused the death of your loved one accountable and recover compensation for your financial hardships, hiring a wrongful death lawyer is essential. They can help you determine whether you are eligible to file a wrongful death claim and guide you through the process of filing one if you are. Through a wrongful death claim, you can recover compensation for the following:

• Funeral and burial costs;
• Loss of companionship;
• Emotional distress; and
• Loss of anticipated future earnings and other benefits provided by your lost family member.

Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in Illinois

Statute of limitations is the time period you have to file a legal claim. In Illinois, you have two years from the date your loved one passes away to file a wrongful death claim. If you do not file a claim within this two year time period, you will not be able to recover compensation. It is important to note that wrongful death claims can only be filed by a surviving spouse or next of kin.

Reach Out to Our Experienced Joliet Wrongful Death Attorneys

For more information on the process of filing a wrongful death claim and the type of compensation you can recover, we encourage you to contact our Joliet wrongful death attorneys. For a free consultation, call us today at 815-666-1285.

Source: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2059&ChapterID=57

When a family member is seriously injured or killed in an accident, your life will change forever. The ongoing love and support you and other loved ones will miss because of the life-altering injury or death of your loved one is known as loss of consortium. Let us take a closer look at how loss of consortium was viewed in the past and which loss of consortium damages are recoverable.

The History of Loss of Consortium

In previous years, women were considered the property of men. If a woman was unable to perform her domestic duties for a man or satisfy him in the bedroom, the man would be able to recover compensation for these services. Over time, this was viewed as unfair and women were allowed to recover loss of consortium damages, just like men.

How to Prove Loss of Consortium

If you would like to prove loss of consortium, it is in your best interest to consult a highly skilled personal injury lawyer. They can determine whether you are eligible to collect compensation for this damage and communicate with the court on your behalf.

Since you may have to share personal aspects of your relationship in order to prove loss of consortium, it is important to work with a lawyer that makes you feel comfortable. The court will consider the following factors to determine whether to award loss of consortium:

• Whether the relationship was loving and stable;
• The living arrangements;
• The amount of care and companionship the individual claiming loss of consortium received; and
• The life expectancy of the individual filing the claim.

Types of Loss of Consortium Damages

Loss of consortium entails a variety of damages. Some of these damages include:

• Loss of income if the loved one was the main breadwinner;
• Loss of guidance if a son or daughter lost a parent;
• Loss of a sexual relationship and affection;
• Loss of services such as cleaning, meal preparation, and childcare; and
• Mental and emotional distress.

The court will take the severity and types of losses suffered into consideration when calculating loss of consortium. However, this can be challenging as it is not easy to calculate loss of companionship and other intangible suffering.

Contact Our Will County Personal Injury Lawyers

If someone you love has been seriously injured or killed, contact our experienced Will County personal injury lawyers. We can inform you of what types of damages you may be eligible to recover and ensure your rights are protected. For a free consultation, call us at 815-666-1285 today.

Source:

https://scholarship.law.stjohns.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5477&context=lawreview

Defective truck parts can lead to serious truck accidents, life-threatening injuries, and even death. Even though manufacturers have a duty to create safe parts and trucking companies are responsible for inspecting and maintaining their trucks, trucks with defective parts are still seen on today's roads. Five of the most common defective truck parts include:

1.      Faulty Brakes

Often, brakes fail and lead to truck accidents. Therefore, brake inspections which can ensure brake systems are in good working order are essential. Brake inspections should always consist of an evaluation of brake lines and brake hoses to ensure they fit properly.

The brakes on trucks must also adhere to certain requirements by the U.S. Department of Transportation. An example of one of these requirements is that a truck is legally required to have a braking power that is specific to its weight.

2.      Tire Issues

Tires that are not properly inflated can trigger difficulties with handling and stability. They can also lead to tire blowouts. By carefully inspecting the pressure, tread depth, and tread separation of tires, accidents caused by tire issues can be prevented. Tires should also be free of cuts and cracks and match one another.

3.      Headlight and Taillight Problems

Truck drivers often drive long distance at night. If their headlights and taillights are not functioning correctly, they may lose sight of the road and cause serious accidents. For this reason, the headlights and taillights of a truck should be monitored on a regular basis.

4.      Malfunctioning Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are imperative for safe truck driving, especially during rainy or snowy weather conditions. Truck drivers should always keep an eye on their windshield wipers and change them if they are malfunctioning and cannot effectively clear debris from the windshield.

5.      Broken Steering Components

Broken steering components may be the result of damaged or worn ball joints that inhibit a truck driver's ability to turn the wheels. In order to prevent broken steering components and the serious issues they cause, they should be reviewed often.

Contact Our Experienced Joliet Truck Accident Lawyers

If you sustain an injury that was caused by a defective truck part or the negligence of a truck driver, you should reach out to our Joliet truck accident lawyers immediately. Call us at

815-666-1285 for a free consultation. We can determine who is liable and may be able to help you collect compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Source:

https://www.thebalance.com/dot-inspections-1361608