There are two legal methods for ending a marriage, an annulment which can declare the marriage void or a divorce which can just dissolve the marital contract.  Most people know that an annulment is because some religions frown upon divorce.  Although they seem to accomplish the same result,  what are the other differences between the two?The issues that can be used as grounds for an annulment are different from the grounds for divorce.  To receive an annulment, problems must exist before the marriage including being underage and unable to consent, being coerced into the marriage or by …

A feature article in the Chicago Tribune takes a look at the psychological toll you can cause on relationships by being angry and bitter. Especially in today’s world of social media, it’s easy to observe and analyze what your partner is doing—and it’s also easy to break up without ever needing to see your significant other face-to-face.With so much personal information available to peruse freely, many times the person doesn't believe themselves to be bitter. They may have experienced a cheating ex, or professional disappointments, and the pain from these events causes their future …

In early February, Frank Caruso had been involved in a car accident, so he called his girlfriend, Cynthia Avalos, to ask her to come pick him up. Caruso, 42, was able to wait in the rear of a squad car that was one of two cars blocking two lanes of Interstate 290, when minutes later, the car was struck by another vehicle. According to officials, the driver admitted to drinking that night.When Avalos arrived on the scene, she was told to go to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital where she soon found out that her boyfriend of two years had been pronounced dead. The next day, DuPage County Judge Brian …

As a parent, it is always important to put your children first.  That is also the mindset of the divorce court when it decides who will receive child custody.  Child custody is one of the most important matters of a divorce, and as such it is important to know what it is and how it is decided.There are multiple forms of custody which can be awarded.  Physical custody means that the child lives with a parent.  This can be awarded as joint physical custody or just physical with visitation for the other parent.Legal custody gives a parent the right to parent the child.  This can include …

During the course of a marriage and afterwards, you may be expected to support your spouse both emotionally and financially.  Whereas that might be debatable, there is a clear legal obligation to care for any children from that marriage.Part of that care is to contribute money for the well-being of the children through child support.  These funds are meant to provide for basic needs such as shelter, food and clothing.  At the court’s discretion, the payer may also be ordered to provide additional funds for expenses related to childcare, education, extracurricular activities as well as …

Taxpayers may have to contribute almost $24 million dollars to settle some of the medical malpractice lawsuits in Cook County against the public health system.Currently, the possible amount will cover four main cases, all against Stroger Hospital. The County Commissioner has stated that these cases are not indicative of a larger problem, saying in this article from the Chicago Tribune that each of the medical malpractice cases are “individual errors.”Almost $20 million of the proposed settlement would go to the case of 3-year-old Keith Francique, whose mother sued after Keith suffered …

Divorce is usually left for heated arguments that just cannot be resolved. For conflict that is too hard to work through. But for a loophole in a new Chinese law?The past week divorce registration in China’s big cities such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Wuhan, have increased greatly. Being asked why, the majority of the responses are due to wanting to move through the loophole of a new tax property law. These fake registrations are a new tactic of Chinese couples to avoid having one of their two homes be classified as a second home that would put them at a 20 percent capital gains tax if sold …

Retirement residencies are places of peace and serenity. One would think it would also provide medical care for their elderly residents. However, some residency places do not offer medical care as part of their services. That being known upfront helps people make decisions.Lorraine Bayless, 87, sought to live life to the fullest and go when it was naturally her time. She chose a Bakersfiled independent living facility, Glendale Gardens, fully knowing they did not have trained medical staff to provide care at their facilities. So when she collapsed and was not breathing someone called 911. …

When it comes to love and marriage, life can always throw that proverbial curve ball. The guy doesn’t always get the girl, and now a days, the mom doesn’t always get the kids. According to the Huffington Post, there are several myths and facts that all divorcing fathers need to know.The court does not automatically decide that the kids are better off in the home of the mother. It is a common myth that even if the father can prove that he is more stable addition able to care for the children that the courts are not inclined to separate the children from their mothers. It is common that the…

Before the Illinois Animal Control Act was put into play, finding the owner of a dog liable for injuries or damages was based on whether the dog had a history of dangerous behavior. Since dogs are considered “tame, docile, and harmless” under common law, the injured party had a significant burden of proof upon them in order to receive compensation for damages.With the Act being installed, the injured party can now fight for compensation regardless of the dog’s history, as long as they can prove four things: the animal that caused the injury was owned by the defendant, the injured party …

One of the best recommendations anyone can give you in finding a good lawyer for your divorce is to go around and interview a variety of lawyers. Being prepared to ask questions to get a good feel for their work ethic, history of handling such cases, and personality is crucial. You want them to be able to represent you in a way that will ensure your win and benefit. However, is it important to have a lawyer who claims to be “aggressive” as a critical trait for a good lawyer?Many experts disagree on the level of aggressiveness a divorce lawyer needs to have. To pick an attorney based off …

The Chicago Tribune reports that one of the world’s top billionaires could soon have the most expensive divorce settlement in history.Harold Hamm, whose net worth is about $11.3 billion thanks to the oil industry, is divorcing his second wife, Sue Ann Hamm. They have been married for 24 years when the filed for divorce last May. The divorce filings revealed that Sue Ann Hamm has accused her husband of having an affair.Whether or not Hamm, 67, and his soon to be ex wife Sue Ann, 56, had a prenuptial agreement is not public knowledge. Experts have said that without one, the settlement may …

Conor Crippen, 18, and Anna Waz, 19, two freshmen from Loyola University were hit by a car as they were attempting to cross the street near the Fullerton Avenue Red Line station around 11 p.m. Saturday, March 16, when they were struck by a Nissan Pathfinder.Both victims were rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Waz, who is majoring in nursing, was released two days later. Crippen is in the intensive care unit and has been put into a medically induced coma. The biochemistry major has been placed in the coma in order to reduce the swelling in his brain.His sister told the Loyola …

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has many tools available on its website to help you understand different driving conditions and circumstances on how to be a safe driver. It offers advice on distracted driving, pedestrians, and child safety; but one of the biggest topics is motorcycles.Riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car—most people can agree on that. However, this doesn’t stop many motorcyclists from taking unnecessary risks. One situation unique to motorcyclists is the use of a helmet. According to NHTSA’s 2008 traffic data for …

Even though Illinois and most other states require motorists to have insurance, a study conducted in 2011 showed that 13.8 per cent of drivers, or about one in seven, is uninsured nationally. This makes your chances of being involved with an uninsured motorist pretty high. Luckily, there are steps you can take in order to make sure the other driver, if he or she was at fault, will still pay your damages.If the accident caused damage in excess of $500, personal injury to anyone involved, or even death, the Illinois Safety and Financial Responsibility Law requires you to file an accident report…

Expecting your first child is one of the most exciting and nerve wrecking experiences. The body changes as the child grows and you always wonder “if this is normal”. Asking doctors many questions and seeking out opinions seems to be the norm. When you are really not feeling well the obvious draw is to go see a doctor promptly, sometimes to the emergency room. All to make sure that little one is just fine.Nachman and Raizy Glaber, both 21 of Brooklyn, were those kinds of parents. With much anticipation of their new baby, they wanted to make sure the little one was okay. Raizy, the mother, …