Belleville Legal Issues Blog

A modification can help you assume parental responsibilities

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Friday, May 31, 2019.

There are many reasons why you could feel displeased with the terms of the parenting plan in your Illinois divorce. Maybe you were going through some legal issues or professional ones, like military deployment, at the time of the divorce that prevented you from fully asserting your parental rights. Perhaps you had to deal with depression after your divorce and stick up for yourself when it came to custody proceedings. You might have struggled to find permanent housing.

Now, you have come to realize that you don't have nearly enough time with your children, and you are quite unhappy with the current situation. The good news is that you may be able to pursue a modification of the original court order that allocates more parental responsibilities to you. The original court order is changeable if you follow procedure and request a special modification hearing.

Beware of Illinois parking laws to avoid facing tickets

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Anyone who drives in Illinois must ensure that they are familiar with the parking laws in the state. These are sometimes denoted by signs, but there are also many laws that are universal everywhere in Illinois. Familiarity with these can help to prevent a violation.

Most drivers are familiar with common laws, such as being forbidden from parking in a spot that is marked for individuals with a disabled placard. These common laws are only the tip of the iceberg. Other laws that aren't as well-known could mean that you are facing serious fines.

Deployment and child custody: Your options

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Friday, March 29, 2019.

When you're in the military, there may be a question as to your ability to care for your child. Clearly, if you are deployed, it won't be possible to have custody of your child. This issue, combined with other requirements of military service, is why many people in the military worry that they'll lose custody permanently.

The thing to remember is that, while your service may impact your immediate custody arrangements, your service should not be the sole determining factor in your custody arrangements. Before you deploy or relocate, you will need to create a family care plan that discusses how your children will be cared for financially, logistically and medically while you're deployed.

Tips to make child custody situations a bit easier for everyone

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Life with children after a divorce isn't always easy. Not only do you have to deal with the usual issues that come with raising children, you also have to deal with potential conflicts with your ex. One way that you might be able to minimize the latter is by having a parenting plan that outlines what is going to happen with the children.

Many child custody cases involve parents who are going to work together for the children. Following some simple guidelines can help to make the situation a bit less stressful and easier to handle.

Reasons why a Breathalyzer test could render inaccurate results

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

Most drivers aren't aware of just how inaccurate a Breathalyzer test result can be. But defense attorneys tend to know that they can challenge a Breathalyzer test in court if necessary. If they're successful with the challenge, the court will remove the results from the evidentiary record and the results can't be used against the defendant to convict him or her of a drunk driving crime.

Here are the most common reasons why a court might agree that a Breathalyzer test was inaccurate:

Understanding voluntarily assumed paternity

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Saturday, December 29, 2018.

In the best of circumstances, both parents will agree on the question of who the father of the child happens to be. In fact, this is what happens in the vast majority of childbirths: The question of paternity doesn't create any issues at all.

When the parents agree about paternity, it's called "voluntarily assumed paternity." Even in circumstances when the question of paternity is a point of disagreement, the truth may come out when the parties realize that DNA evidence will provide a definitive answer.

Will a DUI checkpoint lead to an arrest?

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Friday, December 7, 2018.

It doesn't matter where you're driving or the time of the day (although nighttime is more common), you could find yourself heading straight into a DUI checkpoint. As stressful as it may be, there are steps you can take to avoid trouble.

Adjust your attitude toward divorce to minimize its impact

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

In the early days of the process, getting a divorce can feel like the end of your life as you know it. After all, you have likely spent many years devoted to the same relationship.

Now, you must consider your life moving forward without the other party. Especially if you are not the one to file for divorce, it can feel like your life is over when divorce becomes inevitable.

Do you know what assets are marital and which ones are separate?

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Monday, October 1, 2018.

An Illinois divorce often comes with a generous serving of financial uncertainty. Many people will put off ending their marriage out of fear of how it will affect their finances. Educating yourself more about how the courts handle financial matters in the divorce can empower you to move forward with ending your marriage and getting on with your life.

For many couples, the biggest concern regarding the financial impact of divorce is how the courts will split up their assets. While it is impossible to predict the exact outcome of the asset division process in an Illinois divorce, understanding the standard that the court uses and how they define different classes of property can help you better understand what will likely occur in your divorce.

Should you go to court to fight a speeding ticket?

On behalf of Wilson, Dabler & Associates, L.L.C. on Monday, September 3, 2018.

Speeding, or intentionally driving faster than the posted speed limit, is likely one of the most ubiquitous crimes. Almost everyone speeds at some time or another. Whether you are a habitual offender or were just late to work one day, getting caught while speeding can turn a mildly unsafe practice into a major headache.

Many people who wind up with a speeding ticket just bite the proverbial bullet and pay the ticket. They may not understand that they do have the right to defend against a traffic citation in court. Even if they know that, they may not think that fighting against a simple ticket is worth their time or effort. For many people, however, pushing back against a speeding ticket is a smart decision.