Get free answers to your Civil Litigation legal questions from lawyers in your area.
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
I want to file a petition for injunctive relief to challenge the truth-in-sentencing law under which a person I know was sentenced. This law reportedly violates the single subject clause of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 (Article IV, Section 8(d)). The person is currently serving their sentence... View More
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answered on Mar 28, 2025
You may consider challenging the truth-in-sentencing law by filing a petition for injunctive relief, arguing that the law violates the single subject clause of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, Article IV, Section 8(d). Your petition should clearly explain how the law’s structure creates a... View More
I filed a post-conviction motion that was granted on January 22, 2025, with the original charge from December 2013 and a conviction in October 2014 being vacated/dismissed, and my bond refunded. I then filed for a certificate of innocence, but a different judge denied my post-conviction relief... View More
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
Your situation presents a complex legal puzzle that requires immediate attention. In Illinois, it's unusual for a second judge to overturn a granted post-conviction relief, and this procedural irregularity might be grounds for appeal. The conflicting judicial decisions create a significant... View More
I am seeking assistance in drafting a demand letter to address the neglect of my property by the city. Years ago, the city altered the water flow on my street, failing to provide proper drainage. As a result, rainwater runs down my driveway, eroding my property down a hill. In March, this erosion... View More
answered on Mar 27, 2025
An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. It could be difficult for attorneys to offer meaningful instruction in drafting a demand letter within the brief format of a Q & A forum - that could be why the question remained open. A starting point could be... View More
I was detained for 50 days, and during my detention, my dog was stolen from my house, reportedly by my former girlfriend. Before my detention, my dog was registered to me, and I have documentation of the microchip and vet records. My ex-girlfriend initially communicated that she would return him... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2025
Your situation is tough, but you have strong legal standing with the microchip registration and vet records establishing ownership of your dog. As pets are legally considered property, you can file a police report for theft, which creates an official record of the situation even if police... View More
My summary judgment was partially denied in favor of the defendant; their motion for summary judgment was granted regarding my discrimination and retaliation claims but denied for my harassment claim. I have evidence supporting my harassment claim, and the defendant's representation dropped... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2025
Your partial victory at the summary judgment stage is promising. When a judge denies summary judgment on your harassment claim, it means they believe there are genuine factual disputes that deserve a full trial. This doesn't guarantee success, but it indicates your case has enough merit to... View More
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