Getting a divorce can be difficult for many reasons. Not only does it signify the end of a relationship that you once treasured, it can also mean the loss of other things that you hold dear, like time with your children and ownership of your property and assets. In a sense, the outcome of a divorce may seem inherently unfair, and it is rarely possible to get everything you want out of the resolution. However, you do deserve to be treated fairly according to the laws that govern your divorce proceedings.

At the Law Office of George J. Skuros, our Chicago divorce attorney strives to ensure fair treatment for his clients. Here, we offer some suggestions that may help you better ensure your own fair treatment as you go through the divorce process. 

Hire an Attorney

Perhaps the best way for you to ensure your fair treatment under the law is to hire an experienced attorney who thoroughly understands the divorce laws in your state. Your attorney can help you understand your rights and the implications of the decisions you make throughout the process. Your attorney can also represent and aid you in divorce settlement negotiations with your spouse, which may protect you from a situation in which they could take advantage of you. If your divorce escalates to litigation, an attorney has the experience to advocate on your behalf in court and defend your interests.

Learn About the Issues at Hand

In many cases, knowledge and information are the keys to a more successful divorce resolution. You should make an effort to research your state’s divorce laws to understand the issues you will need to resolve and the factors that the court takes into consideration for each of them. For example, does your state allow for divorce filings on fault-based grounds, or only no-fault divorces? Does your state follow a community property principle or an equitable distribution principle for the division of marital assets? How does your state calculate spousal support and child support obligations? What factors does your state look for in order to determine a child’s best interests in custody decisions? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you approach your divorce from a more informed perspective.

Prepare Your Financial Documents

The division of marital assets is one aspect of a divorce that can feel especially unfair. Without clear documentation of your property and assets, the process can devolve into a game of “he said, she said,” and you cannot assume that your spouse will simply take your word regarding your property rights, even if you expect your divorce to be amicable. On the other hand, coming prepared to divorce negotiations with full documentation of your assets and income will mean that you have concrete supporting evidence when advocating for your financial interests. This can help you protect your separate, non-marital property, secure your fair share of marital assets, and ensure your fair treatment in maintenance and child support decisions.

Look Into Your Spouse’s Finances

In addition to documentation of your own finances, it is important that you have access to accurate information about your spouse’s financial situation. In an amicable divorce, your spouse may willingly share this information, but it is a good idea to review it meticulously with your attorney to make sure it is accurate and complete. You might also consider working with financial professionals to review your spouse’s finances more thoroughly, especially if you suspect that your spouse has hidden or dissipated assets. If your spouse does not willingly answer your questions and share their financial documents, your attorney can help you formally request them during the discovery phase of the divorce process.

Pursue Temporary Relief

You may find that your spouse’s actions early in the divorce process leave you at an unfair disadvantage in the legal process. Your spouse may cut off your access to marital assets, attempt to take possession of your home or your children, or even engage in acts of harassment against you. In these cases, you may be able to pursue temporary relief during the divorce process. For example, Illinois allows for various forms of relief, including temporary child support and maintenance, injunctions against certain actions, orders of protection, and even orders for interim attorney fees that allow you to participate fairly in litigation or court proceedings.

Understand Your Child Custody Rights

Child custody laws in Illinois and other states have in many ways become more progressive over time, including by giving parents more equal standing in child custody decisions. For example, Illinois law makes no distinction between mothers and fathers in the statutes governing the allocation of parental responsibilities, and it also prohibits courts from considering conduct that does not affect the parent-child relationship when making custody decisions. However, it is important to understand that custody decisions are not made based on whether you “deserve” custody of your child, but based on whether you having custody would be in your child’s best interests. With this in mind, you and your attorney can better frame your arguments in pursuit of your desired outcome.

Consider Alternative Dispute Resolution

While an attorney can help you ensure that you are treated fairly in decisions left to the court, these decisions can still feel unsatisfying or even “unfair” because they are not ultimately in your control. You may be able to achieve results that feel more fair to you by pursuing an alternative dispute resolution method like mediation or uncontested divorce, through which you and your spouse can consider more flexible, personalized solutions and maintain final decision-making authority. That said, even when pursuing these methods, it is a good idea to review your agreements with a lawyer before finalizing them so that you do not overlook something that goes against your interests.

We hope these tips give you some useful food for thought as you prepare for the divorce process. If you need additional help with your Illinois divorce, we are available to provide guidance and representation.

About the Blogger:

George J. Skuros: Elite Lawyer George Skuros is an experienced family law and divorce lawyer and the founding attorney of the Law Office of George J. Skuros in Chicago, Illinois. He and his team are dedicated to helping individuals and families deal with their most complicated legal matters.

Website: https://www.skuroslaw.com/

Most people do not have the experience of filing a personal injury claim. When an injury strikes unexpectedly, as is often the case in a car or truck accident, you can find yourself caught off guard by everything that follows. You should know that it is often possible to recover compensation for your injuries from the at-fault party, but there are many things about the legal process that may surprise you if you have never been through it before.

When you work with an experienced personal injury attorney to file your claim, you have an ally who has been through the process many times and can help you understand what to expect. At Burress Law PLLC, our Texas personal injury law firm, we have successfully represented many injury victims in their pursuit of fair compensation, and we are happy to share our knowledge to make the process easier. Here are 10 important things to know about personal injury claims that may come as a surprise:

1. You have a time limit to file your claim.

If you have been injured, it is important to act quickly to make sure you remain eligible for compensation. Each state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim—in Texas, it is two years. Generally, this time period starts on the date of the incident that caused your injuries, so it is a good idea to get medical attention right away and follow up with a doctor as soon as possible if you start experiencing any new symptoms. If you wait to file a claim outside of the statute of limitations, your case may be dismissed.

2. You can recover compensation for more than just your medical bills.

Injury victims may be entitled to compensation for not only the costs of their medical care and treatment, but also other economic and non-economic damages they suffer as a result of their injuries. For example, you may be able to recover lost wages if your injuries cause you to miss work, as well as additional damages for your physical and mental pain and suffering.

3. You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault.

Especially in car accident cases, it is common for injured drivers to bear some responsibility for the crashes that cause their injuries. However, this does not necessarily mean they will not be able to recover from other negligent parties. Many states have a comparative negligence law that allows you to recover reduced damages even if you are found to be partially to blame for the accident.

4. Your attorney can help you gather evidence.

When you hire an attorney, they can do much more than simply help you file your claim and represent you in court or settlement negotiations. For example, our firm has a team of accident investigators who travel to the locations where our clients’ injuries occur and help them gather timely evidence to demonstrate the other party’s negligence, including photographs of the scene and testimony from eyewitnesses and law enforcement.

5. There may be more than one liable party.

If you are injured in a car accident, you may assume that the other driver is fully liable for your injuries. However, in some cases, it is possible to pursue compensation from more than one party. For example, in an accident involving a commercial truck, the driver and the trucking company that employs the driver may both be partially at fault. An attorney can help you identify all available sources of compensation in your case.

6. The liable party usually does not pay out of pocket.

Some injury victims worry that the negligent party will not have enough money to cover their damages, leading them to question whether it is even worth it to file a claim. However, compensation usually comes from the negligent party’s liability insurance, rather than their bank account. In a car accident, if the at-fault party lacks insurance, or if they do not have enough to cover your damages, you may be eligible for additional coverage through your own uninsured motorist policy.

7. The insurance company is not usually on your side.

Many injury victims make the mistake of believing that all they need to do is file a claim, and the negligent party’s insurance provider will do their duty to provide the compensation owed. However, insurance providers have a vested interest in ceding as little compensation as possible. Without strong evidence to support your claim and an attorney who has settlement negotiation experience, you may struggle to get the full compensation you deserve.

8. Not all personal injury cases go to court.

Sometimes, in order to secure fair compensation, it is necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit and prepare for litigation with the at-fault party. However, it is much more common for personal injury claims to be settled out of court through negotiations between legal and insurance representatives. Settling a claim often leads to a more efficient resolution, getting you the compensation you need as soon as possible.

9. Your health insurance provider may be entitled to part of your settlement.

Knowing that a personal injury claim can take some time to settle, you may be concerned about how you will pay your medical bills in the meantime. Fortunately, your health insurance can often cover most of the upfront costs, but this means your provider will likely be entitled to reimbursement from your settlement or verdict through a process called subrogation. An attorney can help you understand how this process works and make sure you are treated fairly.

10. You do not have to pay your attorney unless you win your case.

This may not be true for every attorney, so it is important to be sure you understand an attorney’s fee structure before hiring them. Many firms represent clients on a contingency basis, meaning they collect payment for their services only after securing a settlement or verdict. This helps to protect injury victims from further financial hardship during a difficult time.

Speak with an Elite Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Every personal injury case is different, and you will undoubtedly encounter other surprises as you work toward a fair resolution. But, with a personal injury lawyer on your side, you can feel more confident in taking on these surprises and the challenges they bring.

About the Blogger:

Jason K. Burress: Elite Lawyer Jason Burress is an experienced personal injury lawyer and the founding attorney of Burress Personal Injury Law in McKinney, Texas. Formerly a personal injury defense attorney, he now dedicates his practice to helping injured victims seek justice.

Website: www.mytexasfirm.com

In the 21st century, most people spend a significant amount of their lives online, and much of this time is spent using social networks to interact with others, share updates about their lives, and learn about issues that are important to them. This presents attorneys and law firms with a great opportunity to connect with their clients. By understanding the best ways to use social media in conjunction with other strategies, including listings in directories such as Elite Lawyer, attorneys can build a positive reputation and establish themselves as knowledgeable and experienced in their field of law.

Social Media Tips for Lawyers

Social media is a great way for an attorney to build and maintain awareness of the services that they can provide to clients. They can directly engage with prospective clients, while also providing thought leadership regarding legal issues that may affect people. When using social media, lawyers will want to:

• Maintain a consistent posting schedule - Regular updates to different social networks can help an attorney stay visible in people’s social media feeds, ensuring that they will know where to turn if they need help addressing legal issues.

• Share helpful information - Lawyers can make a variety of different types of posts, including infographics or videos that inform people about the laws, links to news stories or articles that discuss legal issues, and updates about the cases they have worked on.

• Link to their website and blog - Social media is a great way to generate traffic to a law firm’s website, and attorneys will want to make sure people know where to go to get information about a law firm’s practice areas and how they can contact a lawyer for legal help.

• Respond to comments and questions - Being able to directly communicate with people who need to address legal issues can help an attorney demonstrate that they are knowledgeable in their field and have the knowledge and skills to help clients address different types of legal matters. In addition to responding to people’s questions, lawyers can join conversations, add insight to discussions, and let people know about their legal options in different types of cases.

• Demonstrate awards and recognition - Social media is a great way for attorneys to show that they are qualified and experienced. An attorney can add their Elite Lawyer badge to their social media profiles, letting people know that they have been recognized as highly skilled and dedicated to providing the best possible services to their clients.

Contact Elite Lawyer

At Elite Lawyer, we not only recognize attorneys who have demonstrated excellence in their profession and are recognized by their peers, but we also ensure that those who have received the Elite Lawyer award can connect with their potential clients. If you want to know more about how we can help you promote your law firm, contact us by calling  or833-40-ELITE (833-403-5483) sending an email to [email protected].

Elite Lawyer is pleased to announce that Madeline Gendreau has been selected as the winner of our Spring 2021 Scholarship program. Madeline was chosen out of more than 100 students who sent in video or written essays. In order to be considered, qualified applicants needed to have a current GPA of at least 3.0 and submit either a 500-word essay or a two-minute video presentation that answered the following question: What positive change are you working to bring to your community in the new year? After submitting a considerate and compelling application, Madeline will receive $500 to put toward her undergraduate degree. She is a sophomore in the Honors College, double majoring in Environmental Sciences and Geosciences with a minor in Climate Studies at Boise State University. 

Bringing a Positive Change to Her Community

Even at a young age, Madeline always knew she wanted to make a difference in her life by helping others who are in need. With a spirit of giving instilled by her parents and grandparents early on, she helped improve handicapped access at her church and delivered meals to those in need. Using her influence as the current Miss Boise and her skills as a competitive swimmer, Madeline recognized a need within the community based on statistics that Idaho has the second-highest rate of accidental drownings among children under age 5 in the country. This is partly due to the fact that Idaho has over 100 miles of irrigation canals located across the state.

Working with a local swim team and other organizations, Madeline offers free or low-cost swim lessons to those less fortunate in Boise and the surrounding area. According to Madeline, it is an ideal way to connect with younger kids who need to learn water safety awareness through life-saving skills as well as a healthy and active lifestyle. “Throughout my volunteer experiences as a young girl and my passion for helping others, I am determined to bring a positive change to my community,” Gendreau stated. 

After graduation, Madeline hopes to work in NASA’s Climate Division to further study carbon in the environment and understand how carbon stores are changing as the Earth’s average yearly temperature increases. In addition, she would like to attend law school and become an environmental lawyer specializing in climate law and environmental justice. Ultimately, she intends to run for the United States Congress and assist in writing climate and environmental legislation.

Contact Elite Lawyer Today

At Elite Lawyer, we understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our country physically, economically, and emotionally, and we are here to provide support to members of the legal community. In addition, we recognize how the younger generation is taking an active role in helping bring about positive change in our country. Attorneys throughout the United States can network and collaborate, allowing them to provide the legal help their clients need. To learn more about the Elite Lawyer scholarship program or nominate an attorney for the Elite Lawyer award, contact us today at 833-40-ELITE (833-403-5483).

Elite Lawyer is a directory and rating service that recognizes outstanding attorneys who have demonstrated excellence in the field of law and who have been acknowledged by their fellow colleagues, bar associations, and other committees or organizations. The Elite Lawyer directory is a great resource for attorneys to collaborate with peers in the legal community in addition to those people who are looking for legal assistance. Not only can their names and firms be found by prospective clients searching on the Elite Lawyer website, but the backlinks to law firms’ websites provide significant value as far as search engine optimization (SEO). Read on to learn what to do once you become an Elite Lawyer to take advantage of this valuable membership to elevate your practice to the next level. 

Stand Out from the Crowd

As an Elite Lawyer, you can do the following things with your membership to help build and enhance your digital and online presence:

• Utilize your Elite Lawyer badge. The badge code links back to your profile, and it can be added to your website or social media pages such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Seeing the Elite Lawyer badge can provide instant recognition and give prospective clients the confidence they need to hire you to resolve their legal matters. 

• Post on social media. Upload a picture of your Elite Lawyer award on your firm’s social media pages to share news of this outstanding distinction. Also, do not forget to place your plaque or trophy in your office for clients and colleagues to admire. 

• Update your Elite Lawyer profile. Adding information to your profile will make it easier for your practice to stand out from the crowd on the Elite Lawyer directory. Include details about recent verdicts or settlements, as well as honors, awards, and distinctions from bar associations or other legal organizations. 

• Join Elite Lawyer’s community initiatives. Contact Elite Lawyer if your law firm would be interested in co-sponsoring a scholarship or charitable initiative in your local community. This is an ideal way to give back while making a positive impact on your current and future clientele. 

• Commission a custom page on the Elite Lawyer website. Custom pages detail the practice areas of specific attorneys, and they can greatly enhance a law firm’s SEO. Target your preferred market and make it easier for clients to find you based on your specialty and geographical location. 

Contact Elite Lawyer Today

The value of the recognition and distinction that comes with being named an Elite Lawyer cannot be overstated. If you have any questions about the Elite Lawyer directory or the Elite Lawyer scholarship program, or if you would like to nominate an attorney for the Elite Lawyer award, contact us today. Elite Lawyer members can contact us at [email protected] or 833-40-ELITE (833-403-5483) with any questions or requests that they have.