Posted on March 16, 2022 in Immigration

One of the most common avenues for immigration to the United States is through sponsorship by a family member. A person who is a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident with a valid Green Card may be able to sponsor people in other countries for family-based visas. However, it is important for families to understand the different types of visas that may be available, the procedures they will need to follow when applying for these visas, and the legal issues that may potentially affect their ability to live together in the United States.

Visa Eligibility Depends on Family Relationships

A person’s ability to provide sponsorship for family-based visas will depend on their own legal status and their relationship to the family member(s) who are looking to immigrate to the U.S. Generally, U.S. citizens will have an easier time sponsoring family members, and they will often be able to bring immediate family members to the country without a significant waiting period. In cases where Green Card holders wish to sponsor immediate family members for immigration or when citizens wish to sponsor more distant relatives, waiting periods may apply, and a limited number of visas are available.

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 Posted on March 14, 2022 in Personal Injury

City buses and trains provide much-needed affordable public transit options to many people, especially in congested city areas. While these methods of transportation certainly have their benefits, bus drivers and train conductors are prone to making the same kinds of driving errors as anyone else. Because buses and trains are so large, the consequences of a driver error can be serious and even fatal. If you have been injured as a driver or pedestrian by a city bus or train, or by any other government vehicle, you may want to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries.

Keep Detailed Records of Medical Treatment

The first thing any victim of a motor vehicle accident should do is seek medical help. If, following an accident, you can safely take pictures and document what happened, you may want to do so, but do not put off seeking urgent medical treatment because you want to preserve evidence. Call the police and allow them to document facts about the accident.

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 Posted on March 11, 2022 in Immigration

Following an invasion by Russian forces that began on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been in a state of war, and millions of people throughout the country have been affected. Since then, more than one million refugees have fled the country, and more are likely to seek protections and escape a dangerous situation. While some Ukrainian immigrants have sought asylum in the United States, there are thousands more who were already in the country who may be concerned about their safety if they face deportation. Fortunately, these immigrants may be able to receive protection from removal by qualifying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Biden Administration Grants TPS to Ukrainian Immigrants

Temporary Protected Status is a designation that may be put in place by the Department of Homeland Security, preventing immigrants from certain countries from being returned to locations where they may be at risk of harm. This status may be granted based on armed conflicts in a country, natural disasters, or other conditions that affect people’s safety. People from a country with TPS designation may receive protection from deportation for a certain amount of time.

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 Posted on March 09, 2022 in Family Law

While Illinois state and federal laws have made significant progress in legal equality for same-sex couples, there are still unique challenges that same-sex couples may face when getting divorced. Although many same-sex couples who separate are officially married, not all couples decided to get married once it was an option and separating can prove difficult when children are involved. If you are in a same-sex relationship and you are considering divorce or separation, you may want the help of an experienced Illinois family law attorney who can help you consider the various legal aspects of splitting up with your partner.

Have You Established Parentage?

If a same-sex couple is legally married, the question of parentage is simpler. But, if you have not married your partner, you may want to take steps to establish parenthood before seeking separation. Here are five ways parenthood is legally recognized in Illinois:

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 Posted on March 02, 2022 in Family Law

If every marriage fell apart at the first sign of trouble, the divorce average divorce rate would be closer to 100 percent than to 50 percent. Staying married is notoriously difficult, even under the best circumstances, and committed couples often experience frustrations that are common in marriage. However, there comes a point in many marriages where one or both spouses need to ask themselves whether they are staying in a marriage for the wrong reasons. If you are married and are unsure about the future, here are three signs you may want to consider divorce.

You Are No Longer Trying to Improve the Marriage

Marriage takes constant work, communication, and reaffirmation of the commitments spouses made to each other on their wedding day. When a marriage has stagnated to the point where neither spouse is interested in trying to figure out how to make it better, but are instead both simply going along to get along, the marriage may have broken down beyond repair.

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 Posted on February 20, 2022 in Immigration

Each year, thousands of asylum seekers come to the United States to seek refuge due to danger in their native country. The U.S. has traditionally been seen as a haven for those fleeing victimization. However, the process of seeking asylum is complicated. Applications are often denied by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), forcing them to go through what is known as defensive asylum processing with the Executive Office of Immigration Review.

Regardless of what immigration method is chosen when attempting to immigrate to the United States, you want to enlist the services of a dedicated immigration lawyer you can trust. Skilled legal guidance is essential in navigating the difficult and time-consuming processes and overcoming the barriers that can serve as a deterrent.

What Is the Defensive Asylum Process?

Defensive asylum processing is the last opportunity afforded to asylum seekers after USCIS has denied an initial attempt at seeking asylum. Only those who are in the midst of the removal process can seek assistance through this route.

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 Posted on February 18, 2022 in Family Law

A divorce in and of itself does not have the power to impact your credit score, but many behaviors that are commonly associated with divorce can easily change your financial situation for the worse. Changes to household income, disrupted bill payments, asset division, and debt refinancing can all impact your credit in ways that can affect you for many years to come. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your chances of financial success and protect your credit during and after your Illinois divorce.

Be Aware of Debt Payments

Divorce may legally dissolve your relationship, but it does not legally dissolve your obligation to pay your debts. Even if your divorce decree requires your ex to pay certain debts, if he or she fails to do so on time and the debt is under your name, your credit will take a hit, too. If your ex tends to be financially irresponsible, it may be a good idea to try to ensure the debt is refinanced in one partner’s name. Otherwise, you may want to make the payments yourself and try to recover your ex’s portion later.

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 Posted on February 10, 2022 in Personal Injury

Over 30,000 people are killed in car accidents in the U.S. every year. Although the overall trend of car accident fatalities seems to be trending downward, car accidents are still tragically common in Illinois. Even for those who survive serious car accidents, the impact can be devastating. Traumatic head injuries are a common result of car accidents and these injuries can have a major long-term impact on a victim’s health, life enjoyment, employment prospects, and medical needs. If you have been injured in an Illinois car accident, you may need the help of an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney.

Common Brain Injuries from Illinois Car Accidents

Brain injuries can be extremely serious, and victims of car accidents should seek medical attention as soon as they realize their head may have been hurt. Some of the most common brain injuries from car accidents include, but are not limited to:

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 Posted on February 08, 2022 in Family Law

The home a couple shares throughout their marriage has both sentimental and financial value attached to it. Deciding what to do with the home during a divorce is often a source of great confusion, contention, or heartbreak. Spouses may both want to keep the home but wonder whether they can afford it. At the same time, they may be worried that relocating the children during divorce will be traumatic and cause more problems.

Whether you ultimately end up negotiating to keep the home or selling it and splitting the value, the issue of the home must be dealt with as part of the marital property division. Even transferring the mortgage or title to one spouse’s name can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it is best to begin early. Here are some tips to help you think about the process.

Determine Whether Keeping the Home is Feasible

Before you start assertively negotiating to keep your home, you need to decide whether managing the expenses and upkeep of the house by yourself is plausible or even worth it. Homes are expensive and require extensive maintenance. Unexpected repairs, major upgrades, and even unpredictable natural disasters may be twice as difficult to deal with on one income. Creating a budget to determine the mortgage payments, homeowners’ insurance, and repair costs can help you decide whether you want to keep the home or focus on other priorities.

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 Posted on February 07, 2022 in Immigration

Immigrants who are living in the United States are likely to have a variety of concerns about their legal status and their ability to remain in the country. Because of this, some immigrants are hesitant to come forward and report crimes, since they may worry that they could face deportation. However, the U.S. provides some protections for crime victims, including the ability to apply for U visas that will allow a person to stay in the country and receive authorization to work. Immigrants will need to understand the eligibility requirements for these types of visas and the laws and policies that may apply as they seek protection from deportation.

Qualifying for a U Visa

Immigrants who have been the victims of certain types of crimes may be able to receive a U visa if they have information about criminal activity and are willing to assist law enforcement officials as they investigate a crime or prosecute an alleged offender. An immigrant will need to demonstrate that they have experienced physical or emotional abuse because of the crimes that were committed. They must also meet the qualifications to be admissible to the United States, although those who do not meet these requirements may apply for waivers of inadmissibility.

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