Get free answers to your Family Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I'm dealing with a situation where I have a baby on the way. We live in two different states. The mother lives in Chicago and I live Maine. I met her online and at some point I met up with her in Chicago. I discovered she was a heroin addict. We ended up separating and I went back to Maine... View More 
answered on Oct 30, 2021
My understanding of the purpose of this service is this:
It is to ask questions so the questioner can decide 1. If a lawyer is needed for the situation the questioner presents, and 2. to help find the lawyer that questioner is most comfortable with to hire.
My understanding of the... View More
For the past couple years my mother has completely slandered my name and came up with a horrible rumors some being illegal she has destroyed my relationship with my father and other family members I am in the process of a custody battle and she is making it worse for me to the point I might not get... View More
answered on Oct 23, 2021
No one can give you an intelligent answer based on the scant facts you set forth. You need to make an appointment with a lawyer and tell him or her everything about the situation for advice as to your options.
Can a plaintiff use a video that skips and lapse in time for evidence in their case or can I motion to exclude it from being seen?
If so, under what grounds can I motion?
Video goes up to minute 2 then skips to 2:30 to 3:15 then skips to 4:05, lot of the video seem altered.
answered on Oct 1, 2021
You could do a motion in limine asking to bar the video due to lack of foundation. If it’s edited in some way, it has been altered and wouldn’t meet foundational requirements to be admissible evidence.
Probably a good issue to have a lawyer handle. Each county is different and has... View More
3 brothers have inherited a large home, one of the brothers are living there and cannot maintain the home due to alcoholism. Each has a 1/3 of real estate as stated in the will. He refused to pay the other 2 brothers rent or expenses. He needs to go to detox and rehab. He is incapable to help with... View More
answered on Oct 1, 2021
Illinois has a partition statute to handle situations concerning jointly held real property. The statute is found at 735 ILCS 5/17-101, et seq. If you read section 105 you will see that the court has the power to determine if the property can be divided among the parties without prejudice to any of... View More
I have given up going to what I’d consider high risk places long ago, never do I go anywhere without wearing a mask as additional protection for my own protection and my sons. The mother sees no issue going to bars, events etc. that I consider high risk without a face mask. Im concerned this is... View More
answered on Sep 21, 2021
It is a difficult situation.
You cannot compel another parent to use the same level of seemingly reasonable to you precautions to protect your 10 year old son.
Also, a 72 hours "quarantine" will not assure that the son will not get exposed to any Corona strain as... View More
Prosecutor is in a more serious(felony) case vs a family court case. Is there any precedent notably in illinois that a Judge can suspend the lesser case until the more serious case is completed?
Her office stated they would inform her of my issues. That was a week ago.
answered on Jul 28, 2021
I think you already know what you have to do. Terminate her representation . You have the absolute right to do so and to receive a refund of any unused retainer fee that you paid.
Divorce is tough enough, you don't deserve any problems from the one who is supposed to be trying to... View More
I recently hired an attorney for help with a missed court appearance for my name change case. I sent the attorney his check in March and he accepted and signed for it too. Since then, I have barely heard from him, and he has never talked to me without me calling. He needs to file a motion, which he... View More
answered on Jul 11, 2021
You simply send him an email or a letter stating that you are terminating his services effectively immediately, and that you demand a 100% refund. You might state the reason for the termination, but it is not necessary. You have the absolute right to fire him no matter what the reason. You can also... View More
I'm 57-yrs old. My highest wage earning years are behind me. All real estate holdings acquired were made possible by my earnings over last 30-years. Likewise all improvements, management, etc, have been and are 95% on me. Retirement is 401K along with rental properties. I would need no less... View More
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answered on Jun 3, 2021
The law does not require a 50/50 division. The court has the authority to divide marital assets and debts based on what is fair and equitable. The law lists several factors that the court may consider in making that determination, many of which you touched upon in your question.
I have a custody case were the sister works for the Circuit Clerks office. Her and the girlfriend came up with a well calculated plan to make my character out to be a low life junkie so my ex could gain custody. They have gone as far as emailing where I live stating I deal drugs out of my... View More
answered on Jun 1, 2021
your efforts are better spent working on your custody issues. Arrange a visitiation eval with a social worker, etc. but you need an attorney. d.i.y. is getting you nowhere. Trying to tell a judge the system is biased doesn't get an unrepresented person anywhere. You need an attorney to build a... View More
My soon to be ex husband and I made an agreement that once he does anger management he can do visitation with the kids ever other weekend spoken through the court. However, I want a provision added in that states our oldest can choose when/where/how he wants to communicate with his father. The... View More
answered on May 28, 2021
Only your attorney knows all of the facts of your case and only he is in a position to advise you properly. However, it sounds like your oldest son and your ex could use some reunification therapy. This would involve a separate Motion , but you are in a bad situation. Perhaps, you could talk to... View More
We will still be in macon county only about 10 minutes further but a different school district. I do not get child support. I pay for everything. My ex gets every other weekend and 2 nights a week 4 hours each time. Do I need her approval to move?
answered on May 10, 2021
Unless your Judgment specifically provides otherwise, you may definitely move as you described.
My gaurdian ad litem put me on supervised visits until she spoke with my psychiatrist/psychologist who I see for moderate depression and anxiety to make sure I was okay to be alone w my daughter. I had given her everything about everything from their records she said she still had to speak with... View More
answered on Apr 8, 2021
Based on the info you have provided, the GAL's failure to speak with your doctors does not mean she is not doing her job properly. Aside from the rigmarole of HIPPA restrictions, there isn't much the doctors can say that is not already known from their reports. If you are an alcoholic, 30... View More
He will seek for full custody of my son. And will make things hard for him to sign divorce papers. I really need guidance. And and idea of how much will this cost me.
answered on Feb 20, 2021
The best guidance I can suggest is for you to contact a local divorce lawyer, and explain ALL of the facts to him/her. You really have not provided us with enough info to assist you properly. It is not uncommon for a bully-type husband to make the threat about custody. Divorce lawyers hear this... View More
of Attorney forms that he didn't remember signing. They completely took over...changed locks on husband's house, closed all of our joint accounts leaving me with no phone, no car insurance and no house insurance. They took over finances and I haven't seen a cent of his money since... View More
answered on Feb 4, 2021
I'm so sorry to hear about these circumstances. I think you may need to consider hiring an attorney to have better communications with your husband's children to reach a resolution.
answered on Feb 2, 2021
You can reach out to any of the immigration attorneys who respond to questions in the JUSTIA Ask a Lawyer platform and ask if they can accommodate your request.
Good luck to you.
Should I be concerned about them taking my children and how do I prepare for this transition?
answered on Jan 23, 2021
Yes. You should be concerned.
DCFS and the local State's Attorney's Office in the County where you live could conclude that you placed your children at risk of harm and screen the case into juvenile court for a judge to make that determination.
There, you'll need a... View More
He was convicted on 3 different occasions in a span of 4 years. Each offense was against his older child (not mine). His rights to his other child were terminated while he was incarcerated. Is he able to get custody/visitation of my daughter? Or is it possible to have his rights to my daughter... View More
answered on Dec 21, 2020
Look to Illinois statute 750 ILCS 5/603.10 for guidance. Illinois allows court's to put restrictions on parental responsibilities, including parenting time and decision-making responsibilities.
Unfortunately, if you do not have a case filed with your local circuit court, then you... View More
Side question, if I am unable to fully move out of the home, would I be able to just walk out and sleep at a friend's house occasionally?
The real question would be....
What are my limitations as an 18-year-old with a job that only pays 50 per day?
Would moving out be... View More
answered on Nov 18, 2020
You are not considered an adult until you either reach 18 years of age or are emancipated (declared to have the rights of an adult) through a court proceeding. The main requirements of emancipation are that your parents must agree to it and you must be immediately able to support yourself living... View More
I have proof! I've been shut down no one will help there is plenty of paperwork and documentation. My child has been stolen. And these people falsified information and documented that these allegations were true, without investigating! Please help us!!!!
answered on Nov 12, 2020
It seems that you need to hire a Family Law Attorney right away.
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