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My ex-husband recently passed away in Illinois and owed a substantial amount of debt. He did not leave a will, and there has been no probate process initiated. He is due to receive a settlement from an accident soon. Given that he has a daughter and son as his next of kin, will the creditors be... View More 
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answered on Apr 4, 2025
Creditors can probate his Estate. If they do not then they probably will not collect. The claimants need their lawyers to explain their IL exemption rights if any, and plan on where the settlement monies will be deposited, etc. Claimants need to think about asset protection now.
I was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm in Illinois in 2008 and sentenced to two years probation, which I completed without any incidents. I have not had any legal issues since then. However, I've been unable to obtain a FOID card because the conviction is a felony. Can I have this... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
I am not aware of any law that gives you the right to do so currently. Apparently, you were a felon on another conviction before that one. In the State of Illinois, one cannot possess a FOID card as a felon. There is a challenge to the FOID Law, however, in White County, Illinois. So check back... View More
My neighbor's Doberman came into my yard and bit my 10 lb Pomeranian on the neck, resulting in my dog's death. My dog was on a leash being held at the time. The incident cost me $800 plus additional expenses. The Sheriff came out, and I have a police report, but Animal Control did not... View More
answered on Mar 3, 2025
Unless you were on your neighbor's property, the Doberman was NOT under its owner's control when it attacked your dog, so your neighbor IS responsible. Animal control CANNOT choose not to respond to an animal attack. Go to animal control and demand that they prepare a report. Did the... View More
Hello,
My Question: If a law firm files an appearance and list two attorneys on the appearance, Can a new attorney for the same firm, present to the court without filing an additional appearance?
Ex: attorney X represents Client A, X law firm files an appearance for his firm,... View More
answered on Jul 28, 2024
Only an Illinois attorney could answer your question, as it involves state procedural rules, but you await a response for five weeks. Until you are able to consult with a local attorney who could advise precisely under Illinois civil procedure law, in many places nationwide as a general practice,... View More
If opposing counsel is pro se with a durable power of attorney instrument (which grants specific powers to the agent to explicitly handle, discuss, manage, and correspond on behalf of the principal) is the opposing attorney required to correspond with the POA the same as he would the principal?... View More
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answered on Jun 29, 2024
This is a complex legal question that touches on several areas of law and professional ethics. Let me break down the key points:
1. Generally, attorneys are not required to communicate with third parties who are not attorneys or their clients. However, there are exceptions.
2. When... View More
On May 4 2024 I was in an accident. While at a stop light a vehicle hit me from behind, causing a chain reaction resulting in a 5 car accident. Luckily my daughter and I were not injured. My car sustained front end and rear end damages. The at fault driver was cited for texting while driving and... View More
answered on May 23, 2024
An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Your post requests a local attorney to assist you on a PD claim. Attorneys here can't offer their services - there is no soliciting. You'd need to reach out to attorneys on your own. In addition to your own... View More
What statute, precedent, or lawful means allows a judge in a Conversion of Property lawsuit to limit Plaintiff’s claim to only one day, with six additional restrictions?
The Judge has ordered that only the following items are allowed in the litigation:
(1) Items that were... View More
answered on May 2, 2024
Typically, in a lawsuit, there is a process called discovery in which the parties are required to disclose information, answer written questions, produce documents, and give depositions concerning the facts and contentions in a case. A party who does not comply with her discovery obligations... View More
Me and my parents are separating ourselves, permanently. They were supporting me, and we're going through process of cutting our financial ties. Once that was mostly finished the family lawyer I was talking to dropped an order of protection on me. I sent them a bunch of angry messages, while... View More
answered on Apr 10, 2024
MAYBE. It depends how long ago this happened, were you served with the papers before or during hospital, will your Dr state that you were in such a mental state from mental illness or meds as to not be responsible for not showing up, etc.
Get all your papers together and go see a good... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2024
The answer to your question is not dependent upon a comparison of the equity to the judgment. Rather, you need to identify what part of your equity is exempt. In Illinois, a homeowner has a $15,000 exemption for the equity in their home. Double that for a married couple. If the equity exceeds the... View More
I live in Illinois. My sister bought a vehicle in her name for a friend. The friends credit wasn’t enough to be put on the loan. The car and license is in her name only. They had a verbal agreement that he would pay her 5k, as a thank you, to help him get a vehicle. He would pay the down payment... View More
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answered on Feb 25, 2024
In Illinois, if the vehicle is in your sister's name, legally she is the owner, and the verbal agreement with her friend complicates but does not override that fact. The first step is to communicate with the friend, if possible, to resolve the situation amicably. Given that the friend refuses... View More
wife and i was seperating but no agreement for custody had been filed with the courts. the address for the student was still listed as the common address on students records. they only went off what she told them but still denied me the right to pick him up
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answered on Feb 24, 2024
If there is no court custody paperwork filed, the school may not have legal grounds to withhold a parent from picking up their student during a separation. However, schools often prioritize the safety and well-being of the child, so they may request clarification or documentation from both parents... View More
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answered on Feb 23, 2024
In most cases, a tow company cannot legally tow a vehicle without the owner's consent or authorization. Typically, tow companies are required to have proper authorization from the vehicle owner or law enforcement before towing a vehicle. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as when... View More
They’re claiming the debt was sold and they’re trying to collect now, but won’t provide me with documentation.
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answered on Jan 18, 2024
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for written contracts, including debts arising from pawn transactions, is generally 10 years. If you pawned a diamond ring and made payments on it 12 years ago, it's possible that the statute of limitations has expired, and the debt may be time-barred.... View More
Our group sold a home health agency to another group. Our contract stated the price and monthly payment schedules. The other group has paid us a downpayment but has since missed monthly payments for over a year now. The other group is insisting that we lower the price from what was agreed upon.... View More
answered on Jan 8, 2024
In Illinois there is no penalty for breaching a contract. In fact, Illinois law expressly allows a party to breach a contract. However, once a party breaches, it is obligated to make the other side whole. Meaning that the benefit of the contract must still be given to the non-breaching party.... View More
I’m am looking to see who can I find to look into his case as he was falsely accused has been there for 29yrs
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answered on Jan 5, 2024
For your friend who has been imprisoned for 29 years on a murder charge he claims is false, the first step is to seek legal assistance from an attorney experienced in criminal defense and wrongful convictions. It's important to find a lawyer who has handled similar cases and is familiar with... View More
After obtaining PTSD during violent crime , I carried on without treatment with self medication. I received a 10 year sentence without legal representation or psychological evaluation.
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answered on Dec 27, 2023
In Illinois, if you were sentenced to a 10-year term without legal representation or a psychological evaluation, especially considering your mental health conditions stemming from a violent crime, there are several steps you can take. First, it's important to seek legal representation... View More
My current landlord has falsely accused my wife and me of behaviors under clause 24 CFR 982.552(c) related to our former landlord, impacting our rental agreement and reputation. Despite providing proof that I reported my income change 10 days after employment through email, my landlord did not... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It sounds like you’re facing a tough situation, and it’s important to act carefully to protect your rights. Since you’ve already provided proof that you reported your income change, the first thing you should do is gather all documentation that shows you followed the proper steps, such as... View More
Last fall, I purchased a home where the inspector was chosen by my agent, who had previously worked with him. After reviewing the inspection report, I raised concerns and wanted my own contractor to inspect the property, but this request was dismissed. I was advised to only focus on electrical and... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
You’re asking a very important and practical question, especially when it comes to protecting your health and your finances after an accident. Since the other party’s insurance has accepted liability and you have a police report supporting your case, you have the right to seek medical... View More
I was sexually abused at a party in Illinois about 10 years ago. I reported the incident to the police last year, but they aren't pursuing the case, stating they have higher priority cases and there's insufficient evidence. I know the perpetrator and have a friend who gave her statement... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
What you went through is incredibly painful, and the fact that you're still trying to seek justice shows real strength. In Illinois, there is no statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of sexual assault involving an adult if it was reported to law enforcement within three years of the... View More
I co-owned an automated litter robot valued at $700 with my ex-girlfriend. She initially paid the full amount, and I reimbursed her 50% via Venmo shortly after the purchase. While we were breaking up, she asked me to verbally agree to pay her half of the device, and I agreed to avoid further... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
That sounds like an awkward and emotionally charged situation, especially with shared property involved after a breakup. If you already reimbursed her 50% via Venmo shortly after the purchase, and she accepted that payment without objection, that transaction likely settled your half of the cost.... View More
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