Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Business Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Illinois Business Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Business Formation and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Conflict between Italian citizen's will and Illinois partnership agreement.

I have a question regarding a conflict between testamentary dispositions and partnership rules. An Italian citizen, who was a resident and deceased in Italy, left a will with provisions contradicting a partnership agreement made years ago in the USA (specifically Illinois). The partnership... View More

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 17, 2025

You are going to need an IL attorney in addition to the Italian probate attorney. But whatever the decedent actually owned in the partnership will then go through his Estate, regardless what the will claims it is. Decedent does not get to change his partnership contract through a testamentary... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Banking, Business Law and Small Claims for Illinois on
Q: I disputed a transaction involving 2 charges with my credit card co. A credit was given for 1 charge but not the other.

This dispute involved the same set of facts and documents. Since it involved 2 charges, 2 separate reviewers were assigned to my dispute. One reviewer granted a permanent credit for 1 charge. The other reviewer closed the dispute for the 2nd charge without a credit and said I was responsible for... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Jun 13, 2024

I would contact a consumer protection attorney that is familiar with the Truth in Lending Act. Depending on the circumstances, you may have a case and a consumer protection attorney will likely offer you a free consultation and may not charge you anything up front if there is a case to bring.

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Workers' Compensation, Business Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: I am being terminated from my job based on performance issues that have been affected by my mental health.

Do I have grounds to seek legal action regarding my termination based on mental health and substance abuse without being offered treatment or even severance?

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jun 2, 2024

Worker's Compensation is a specialized area of law that only concerns job-related injuries. Your question is more related to employment law. Most people are at-will employees. You may have an employee handbook or union contract that provides additional rights. That said, any physical or... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Workers' Compensation, Business Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: I am being terminated from my job based on performance issues that have been affected by my mental health.

Do I have grounds to seek legal action regarding my termination based on mental health and substance abuse without being offered treatment or even severance?

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 3, 2024

You may have grounds to seek legal action if your termination was influenced by your mental health or substance abuse issues. It's important to determine if your employer was aware of your condition and whether they failed to provide reasonable accommodations or treatment options as required... View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Business Law and International Law for Illinois on
Q: Can a US citizen get into trouble for selling pesticides to Canadian customers online if pesticide imports are illegal?

If Canadian laws ban importation and the sell of certain pesticides can a US citizen get in trouble for selling them to Canadian customers?

Michael I. Leonard
PREMIUM
Michael I. Leonard pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 4, 2024

Obviously, Canadian authorities could attempt to criminally charge someone for engaging in that type of conduct - assuming of course that it is illegal under its laws. In addition, depending on the facts and circumstances, that same conduct could possibly subject someone to prosecution in the... View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Business Law and International Law for Illinois on
Q: Can a US citizen get into trouble for selling pesticides to Canadian customers online if pesticide imports are illegal?

If Canadian laws ban importation and the sell of certain pesticides can a US citizen get in trouble for selling them to Canadian customers?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 25, 2024

You should check with attorneys in Canada, since your question involves that nation's laws. But your post mentions the fact that importing pesticides is illegal, and without knowing more about those laws, it would seem likely that they include any sales, regardless of what medium they... View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Business Law and International Law for Illinois on
Q: Can a US citizen get into trouble for selling pesticides to Canadian customers online if pesticide imports are illegal?

If Canadian laws ban importation and the sell of certain pesticides can a US citizen get in trouble for selling them to Canadian customers?

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 8, 2024

Yes, a U.S. citizen could potentially face legal consequences for knowingly selling and shipping pesticides to Canada that are banned or restricted there, even if the sale originated in the U.S.

A few key points:

- Canada has its own regulations on allowable pesticides that may...
View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Business Law and International Law for Illinois on
Q: Can a US citizen get into trouble for selling pesticides to Canadian customers online if pesticide imports are illegal?

If Canadian laws ban importation and the sell of certain pesticides can a US citizen get in trouble for selling them to Canadian customers?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 25, 2024

Addendum - There is also the issue of U.S. laws. Although not raised in your post, it's possible there could be U.S. laws (from the export perspective, not only import into the nation) that might be applicable. Good luck

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Hello,I received bundle of paper from Lifevac Company .

I received bundle of paper from lifevac company and they suit me and claiming i sold their product without their permission, I never sold even single product from Lifevac. my product light bulb spa tube on amazon FBA got their product labels mistakenly and suddenly customers returned it to me and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 27, 2024

If you've received a claim from Lifevac regarding the unauthorized sale of their products, it's essential to address this matter promptly and correctly. First, you should gather all relevant documentation, including sales records, inventory lists, and communications with Amazon FBA and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I offer a tax write-off form for my book drive customers when specific purchases go directly to charity?

I'm an author and have set up a book drive to benefit two specific, well-known charities. People can purchase the books at a discount from me, and then I will either ship or drive the books to the donation drop-off point. The buyers do not receive any physical items: they are purchasing for... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 11, 2024

Regarding your questions about offering tax write-offs for your book drive:

1. Offering a tax write-off form to customers:

- As an individual author, you cannot directly offer tax write-off forms to your customers. Only qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations can provide donors...
View More

3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Business Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for Illinois on
Q: Good morning. What is the penalty for breach of contract?

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

Bryan R. Bagdady
Bryan R. Bagdady
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

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Is it legal for store credit to be issued to a customer for free without a purchase or return being made?
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 20, 2023

In Illinois, it is generally legal for a store to issue store credit to a customer without requiring a purchase or return. Stores may offer store credit as part of promotions, loyalty programs, or goodwill gestures. However, the specific terms and conditions regarding the issuance of store credit... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Illinois on
Q: My current wife and I started a business 13 years ago and it grew real well. Now I have no control over anything

About 1 year ago couple things happened and I made a bad panic decision. I own up to it and this year I kick but trying to reverse the damages. In doing so we or should insaybi was told that if I sign 51% of the business over to her we would get a big tax break cause she would be a minority... View More

Demitrus Thomas Evans
Demitrus Thomas Evans
answered on Dec 5, 2023

This is really concerning. Normally, the business accounts should be separate from your personal accounts. So it would be great to clarify with you how many accounts they are and why there are so many for the business.

If your name is associated with the accounts for the business then you...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Business Law and International Law for Illinois on
Q: What's the best way to hire a non resident independent contractor working from Costa Rica, Ecuador or Colombia

My husband and I are independent contractors ourselves working in Chicago app b week developers (we both have green cards) and started hiring independent contractors to help with some projects(a little over $2k/year). There are a couple of projects that are coming and will make us have a lot of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 19, 2023

Hiring a non-resident independent contractor from countries like Costa Rica, Ecuador, or Colombia involves understanding both U.S. tax implications and the legalities of international contract work. When hiring international contractors, one key form is the W-8BEN, which is used by foreign... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Internet Law, Business Law and Intellectual Property for Illinois on
Q: Is permission required to read and record books for a preschool reading app?

For a web app in development showcasing reading circles for preschoolers and parents, where parents pay to join a live 30-minute storytime with up to eight participants, would permission be needed from publishers to have their books read if the sessions are recorded and stored for later access? The... View More

Jeremy Malcolm
Jeremy Malcolm
answered on Mar 24, 2025

Yes, you would need to obtain a license from the publisher in order to legally do this.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Contracts and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Meaning of mediation/arbitration clause in business partnership contract might skip arbitration.

In a business partnership contract, there's a clause stating that "mediation and arbitration may only occur if both members are paid in full from out of pocket expenses." I would like a clearer explanation of what this means in the context of resolving disputes. Specifically, I want... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 18, 2025

An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I don't blame you for seeking clarity here. The provision does not appear to be drafted in a clear and unambiguous manner. It is open to interpretation in the manner you describe. That's probably why your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Separated, buying car, worst-case scenario in divorce, Illinois?

I am currently separated from my wife, and we live in different towns. We have separate bank accounts and assets. We do have a joint debt of $5,000 for Florida, which is only in my name, and I have been solely paying it. We haven't discussed any formal division of assets, but she has... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Mar 11, 2025

All property acquired during the marriage is

Marital property. Wait until you get divorced to buy the car.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Real Estate Law for Illinois on
Q: Is a landlord liable for harm from tenant's intoxicated patrons?

As a landlord with a commercial tenant who serves alcohol, I am concerned about potential liability. The lease agreement does not contain specific clauses related to liability for selling alcohol, there haven't been any incidents involving harm caused by an intoxicated patron, and I am not... View More

Bryan R. Bagdady
Bryan R. Bagdady
answered on Mar 4, 2025

The short answer is yes. Look at the Illinois Dram Shop Act for more details, but a landlord of an establishment that serves alcohol may be jointly and severally liable for losses arising from the serving of alcohol.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I file a lawsuit if I bought a restaurant and the previous owner started moving items like silverware out?

It wasn’t clearly stated on the contact as to what belongs to who, but the contract stated that the restaurant is under our custody on the day they started moving items out. Thanks, please get back.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 10, 2025

An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. The first thing an attorney would ask is, "What does the contract say about those items?" And since you mention that the items are not addressed in the contract, it sounds like it could make for a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Illinois on
Q: I'm a recent foreign law graduate looking to study LLM in US. What is eligibility criteria of Bar Exam in Illinois?

I'm a graduate from Uni of London and have applied in LLM Global Business and Financial Law Program in Chicago Kent College of Law. Would I be eligible to take the bar exam in Illinois after LLM?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 6, 2024

An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. But most attorneys don't deal too much with such issues once they're done with school. A starting point could be to look at the resources of your state's bar examiner offices. There are programs out... View More

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.