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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Illinois on
Q: Hello, my family member is currently held at ICE Detention Center. Should I hire a lawyer now or just for the ICE proces
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 4, 2023

It's advisable to consider hiring a lawyer as soon as possible in situations involving ICE detention. An attorney experienced in immigration law can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the entire process, not just at specific stages. They can help you understand the complex legal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Is there any way I can file for Illinois worker's compensation 3 years past the deadline?

My lower back pain first started in early Nov. 2017. I saw a doctor after it didn't go away after a few days and reported it to my boss and supervisor. I worked at a grocery store for a long time moving the big and heavy things. No one ever gave me worker's comp papers or filed a claim. I... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Dec 4, 2023

It depends. There are two components to timely filing a Worker's Compensation claim. You must provide notice to the employer within 45 days AND you must file an application for adjustment of claim within three years OR within two years of the last medical care provided under an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Hello, my landlord has kicked me out without 30 day noticed and even threatened to kill me.

She has costed me loads of money by doing that, holding everything hostage, even costing me money I could be earning right now as I'm homeless and having to make appointments to find a place to live right now. I am completely broke right now and because of all the damage she has caused me even... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 1, 2023

In Illinois, landlords are required to provide tenants with a proper notice before eviction, typically a 30-day notice for month-to-month tenancies. If your landlord evicted you without this notice and threatened you, this is a serious matter. Your landlord’s actions appear to violate tenant... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: Does a victim in a domestic violence case have to testify?

i am a victim in a domestic violence case and i got a subpoena. i understand i have to be at court and i will but i don't want to testify because i don't feel comfortable i have social anxiety. i have never been in trouble before and i don't know my rights. what happens if i refuse to testify?

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Nov 29, 2023

If you refuse to testify you can be arrested and charged with obstruction of justice or some other penalties. You have been subpoenaed. Failure to appear and testify is a violation of the law. Most state's attorneys have victim witness coordinators. You should call that person at the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Illinois on
Q: Hi,I have a case coming up Monday via zoom for back child support I've been looking for someone that can help me

Are there any pro Bono attorneys? I've been unable to work because of mental health issues is there anyone that could help

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Nov 29, 2023

I assume that you are being sued and have to defend a Rule to Show Cause. You should explain your reasons to the judge. If you have not previously filed a petition to modify child support, you should and explain why you cannot earn the same living as you did previously. Your reasons should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Illinois on
Q: I was charged with DUI in Illinois with a Texas DL, LTC, and residency. How is my case affected by TX law?

First time DUI, gun was out of view in center console, not locked.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 29, 2023

Texas Driver's License Compact: Texas is a member of the Driver's License Compact, an agreement between states to share DUI information and enforce each other's DUI laws. This means that a DUI conviction in Illinois can be reported to Texas and may lead to penalties or restrictions on your Texas DL.

Q: My wife got an explicate emails which turned out to be a guy at her place of employment. HR lady is married to owner....

My wife got a strange email few months ago from a guy. It was very strange so I responded by saying hi, who are you? He said he was someone who was very interested in my wife and went on to say a bunch of sexually explicit things in the conversation. He stated he was a "neighbor" and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 28, 2023

This situation, where your wife received explicit emails from a colleague, is concerning and should be addressed seriously. First, ensure that you have preserved all the emails, including those from the Gmail and company accounts. This evidence is crucial for any future actions.

Given the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law and Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: I'm on F1 visa and going to my country for a break can I work on my college project and get paid while Im ?

I'm a F1 visa holder and i am currently outide US for winter break. I came a week ago to my home country and will go back next month to US. Can I work on my college's web development project. I will get paid based on hours for this project, but this project is a part of my college's... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 22, 2023

Regarding your F1 visa status, the key aspect is whether the work qualifies as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Since the project is part of your graduation requirements, it might be considered as CPT. However, you must have authorization from your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Illinois on
Q: I received a "severance" offer after being terminated can I accept this severence and still collect unemployment?

Severence contains legalese so hard to see if they mention collecting unemployment as well. Can they legally say that I won't file if I sign this document? If they don't respond to IDES phone calls, will I not be able to get it? I know from past experience with other terminated employees... View More

Cynthia Pietrucha
Cynthia Pietrucha
answered on Nov 21, 2023

Severance Pay and Illinois Unemployment Benefits

In most states, an employee can collect unemployment benefits only if it’s the employer’s fault you lost your job. For example, if your company can’t afford to pay you anymore or doesn’t like how you perform your job, the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Illinois on
Q: What to do if a seller refuses to sign off on a $10,000 holdback that they breached?

We had a $10,000 holdback agreement if the seller was not moved out of the property by October 31at 11:59pm. The seller was still in the property with movers late in the afternoon on November 1. It’s clear that she breached the agreement but her reasoning for not signing off is it was not her... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 20, 2023

In situations where a seller breaches a holdback agreement, it's important to first review the specific terms of your agreement. These terms typically dictate the conditions under which the holdback is to be released. If the agreement clearly states that the seller must vacate by a certain... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Illinois on
Q: I got an email stating my LLC has been sued for patent infringement from an Illinois lawyer.

Two questions:

- How do I determine legitimacy ? I have since discovered that there is a patent in place that I didn’t know of.

- what do I do to settle? I don’t want to continue to sell a patented product. I wouldn’t have sold it if I would have known .

Adam W. Bell
Adam W. Bell
answered on Nov 20, 2023

This sounds like a typical predatory patent troll activity. It's disgusting and you should not assume it's legitimate. There people have no scruples. As a patent attorney it makes my stomach turn to hear these sort of stories.

Let's get a PATENT lawyer involved here.... one...
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2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Illinois on
Q: I got an email stating my LLC has been sued for patent infringement from an Illinois lawyer.

Two questions:

- How do I determine legitimacy ? I have since discovered that there is a patent in place that I didn’t know of.

- what do I do to settle? I don’t want to continue to sell a patented product. I wouldn’t have sold it if I would have known .

Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Nov 20, 2023

You need to have a patent attorney look at your product and the claims of the patent. For your product to infringe, there needs to be at least one independent claim where every limitation in at least one independent claim (every noun, verb, relationship, etc.) is present in your product.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I was diagnosed as overdosing on feytonal patch when blood test shoeed no evidence of such.showed low blood pressure.

Is there grounds to sew.it has caused problems with my family causing them to think I'm on drugs.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 23, 2023

It does not sound like it would be a strong case. Because of the costs involved in litigating med mal cases, law firms are generally reluctant to contemplate something where the potential for recovery is not strong. I'm sorry for your ordeal. It's possible other attorneys could see things... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I was diagnosed as overdosing on feytonal patch when blood test shoeed no evidence of such.showed low blood pressure.

Is there grounds to sew.it has caused problems with my family causing them to think I'm on drugs.

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Nov 19, 2023

It would probably not be a viable case.

The first issue is did the doctor commit malpractice. Medical malpractice means that a doctor violated the standard of care. A bad outcome is not enough. Another doctor would be needed to evaluate what the doctors did.

The second issue...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: On a 1099 C of around $ 27,000, how much tax I will have to paid or there is anything that I can avoid paying,

I have this letter from an attorney that I contract on this cort case because I took a loan (signature) and it seems that was some illigalities or not outhorize on my state. The company agree not to persue any collections but they will issue a 1099 C

I’m one of the primary attorneys... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 19, 2023

When you receive a 1099-C form for canceled debt, such as the $27,000 in your case, the amount is generally treated as taxable income by the IRS. The exact amount of tax you'll owe depends on your overall income, tax bracket, and other factors in your tax situation for that year.... 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
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: I was asked by a police officer to remove a camper that was not mine that was stolen out of an area so a tow truck drive

Driver could remove it from the area after I was walking off and after I said no the cop said wait till I see her out what can I do about this

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 17, 2023

If a police officer asked you to remove a stolen camper that wasn't yours, and you were uncomfortable or unable to comply, you were within your rights to refuse. Your refusal should not result in any form of intimidation or threat from the officer.

If you felt threatened or intimidated...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Immigration Law for Illinois on
Q: I have a company that operate in IT consulting . When hiring h4 ead shuld I submit any forms with Labor or USCIS???

Planning to hire H4Ead candidate

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 18, 2023

When hiring an individual on an H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document), your company generally does not need to submit any forms to the Department of Labor or USCIS specifically for their employment. The H-4 EAD allows the holder to work for any employer in the United States without the need... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Family Law and Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: My Daughters step father sexually abused her she’s 15, Dcfs said she could no longer be around him so her mom sent her

To live with me, the father. She’s been here one week transferred schools and is settling in well, now her mom found out her husband is going to jail and will not be there an she needs a sitter for the other children so she wants to take my daughter back. My daughter wants to go back because she... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Nov 16, 2023

Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that you would prevail in this case unless you could prove that the mother knew it was happening and chose not to intervene. There are over 15 relevant factors but this is the biggest one in this situation. The law errs on the side of stability. If the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I was forced on unpaid medical in October. As of today the leave was not approved and the case has not been worked. Help

I have been trying to return to work but I'm getting the run around. What can I do?

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Nov 16, 2023

You need to provide some facts before anyone can help you. For example, how were you forced to take an unpaid medical leave? Does your employer qualify for FMLA? If you "took a leave" without the leave being approved, how is that different from abandoning your job? You have been... View More

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