There’s a lot of information out there, including many websites that say you can get an estate plan online. The challenge is knowing how to fit all of that information into your own unique situation. So, here are five things we think you should know about estate planning if you are looking into getting documents […]
There are some attorneys in Illinois who will not sue another law firm. I think this is hypocritical. I carry legal malpractice insurance and if I screw up in a way that causes you irreparable harm, you should sue me. If I didn’t screw up, I can fight the case. It’s no different that suing […]
Workers’ compensation is paycheck replacement and other benefits for employees who are hurt on the job. Each state, including Illinois, has its own set of laws on the books that creates this system of compensation and makes it mandatory for most employers. The way it works is that employers carry workers’ compensation insurance. When an […]
When a contractor isn’t paid for work done on someone’s property, he or she has legal recourse in the form of a mechanics lien. The contractor can use a lien to basically stake a claim to the property. That property then cannot be sold or refinanced without dealing with the debt asserted by that […]
When people call us for a referral and say they want the “best” attorney in Chicago (or any other area of the state), we tell them that we agree with their high standards but we have an even better approach. In our experience, there isn’t a “best” attorney out there. There are thousands of attorneys […]
“Disorderly conduct” is a criminal charge that applies to several types of situations, a fact that can make it seem a bit vague and even confusing. Disorderly conduct is described as conduct that disturbs the public peace, offends public morals or undermines public safety. It can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending […]
In any legal case, it’s important to know the statute of limitations. In plain English, that means the time limit that you have to bring a lawsuit. The answer varies based on the type of case that you have. For example, in most injury cases it’s two years. In most contract cases it’s ten years. […]
Although it’s not something you should do on a whim, switching attorneys can be a smart move in some cases. How do you know if you should fire your attorney? Red flags include a complete lack of communication, unprofessional or rude conduct, or a gut feeling that you hired the wrong person. Here are a […]
We get this question a lot. The idea that fathers have rights that are different from those of mothers is a misunderstanding that has been created by the way some family law attorneys advertise. These lawyers try to get clients by suggesting they specialize in “father’s rights,” which makes fathers think they need to hire […]
No one wants an expensive divorce. We get a lot of calls from people looking for low-cost options. Many wonder if they even need an attorney at all. Illinois has something called a Joint Simplified Divorce. If you have a fairly simple situation and meet the financial requirement, you might qualify. You can get a […]
We don’t blame people for being upset when their case doesn’t turn out as they’d hoped. The legal system is adversarial. When you have one side against another, someone is going to lose. But how do you know if it’s your lawyer’s fault? There are so many factors that lead to the outcome in a […]
One of the best things a lawyer can do is show the ability to relate to his or her clients. When I’ve been in that situation myself it helps me relate better to callers. For example, years ago I tore my rotator cuff. When I talk to people with the same injury it helps me […]
We hear this a lot. And we get it. Many people can’t afford to pay hundreds of dollars an hour for legal help. The good news is that in a lot of cases you don’t have to. For many kinds of Illinois legal cases, your lawyer’s fee will be a percentage of what you recover […]
Can I sue my lawyer? It’s a basic question, but a good one. Some people worry that it’s not possible to sue a lawyer. It is. If your lawyer commits malpractice, you can sue for any damages it causes you. Do I need a lawyer to sue my lawyer? It’s a good idea to find […]
If you read my blog, you know that I am not a believer in “father’s rights” type marketing strategies. It’s the stuff of snake oil salesmen in my opinion. If you care about your clients then you do whatever you can for them. I do think some laws are unfair though. The biggest violator has […]
While our law firm is known for being the place to get the right attorney recommendation for your case, we also provide free legal guidance to anyone that wants to ask us a question. We don’t promise that we will always know the answer, but after 13 plus years in business and having talked to […]
We’ve written about what you should do after an accident. Here are things you should not do. Don’t forget to get a police report. If your goal is to prove that the other driver is at fault, and we assume that is your goal if you’re considering legal action, then you will need a […]
The class action lawsuits against General Motors after the faulty ignition switch issue are growing, as GM adds even more vehicles to the list. This is quickly becoming one of the largest cases ever. We are looking for plaintiffs who own any of the following GM models. These are the latest models to be added […]
One of the hardest things I have to do in my job is tell people that they don’t have a case. It’s not hard professionally because I always give honest answers. But it can be hard personally since it’s heart-breaking to hear someone’s story of pain and then let them know that that there’s nothing […]
Botched surgery cases are medical malpractice cases, which are personal injury cases against a health care provider. You are alleging that your doctor was negligent and caused you harm as a result. These cases involve more than an unfavorable outcome. They are cases where the doctor screwed up, making more than just an honest mistake. […]