As we turn the calendar to December, the long-expected cold weather has begun to descend upon the region. The days of shorts and t-shirts are gone for the year, replaced by frosty mornings requiring jackets, parkas, and layers of clothing, especially for those who spend significant time outdoors. Amid the effort to stay warm during the winter months, there are some unexpected dangers, particularly to children, as heavily insulated coats can prevent child car seats from working as designed in the event of a crash.

Over two million couples annually recite these words, "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health until death do us part." These traditional wedding vows echo throughout a marriage but can your spouse be placing extra emphasis on the "sickness and health" reference? Perhaps, as the following scenarios, compiled by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) demonstrate how your spouse may influence your health either in a good direction or perhaps a direct path to a qualified divorce attorney.

The month of December is one of the busiest months for first time engagements despite the U.S. ranking as the tenth highest nation when it comes to divorce. According to national statistics, November and December account for 26 percent of all marriage proposals. Not only is it the onslaught of the holiday season, but for many it means the promise of a new beginning. But what happens to the engagement ring if the sparkle fades and the engagement is called off?

Drunk driving is a serious and pervasive issue in the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 28 people are killed in drunk driving accidents per day. That is approximately one death every 53 minutes. Thousands more are seriously or permanently injured by a drunk driver. Ridesharing programs claim to have made an impact – but have they really? Or are they simply contributing to more accidents?

The winter holiday season is a wonderful time to meet with family and friends who do not live nearby. Every year, families pack up their cars with kids, presents, casseroles, and pies and set off to celebrate with those they love. AAA recently released an estimate that 93.6 million people plan on traveling by car for the upcoming holiday season. This number represents a 1.5 percent increase from last year. Unfortunately, because of this increased holiday traffic, there is an increased risk of getting injured or even killed in a car accident. Driving is second-nature to most of us, but it is …

As per the latest data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. divorce rate is approximately 3.2 per 1,000 with 45 states and the District of Columbia reporting. Further statistical data reports that for those families navigating through divorce, the aftermath significantly increases the number of single parent households. Currently, single-parent homes headed by women encompasses almost 10 million while single parent homes run by men accounts for a little over two million households.

As the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) defines domestic violence as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and or other forms of abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power or control by one intimate partner against the other. The frequency and severity of domestic violence vary dramatically with one wondering if the abuse spikes over the stressful holiday season?

In the state of Illinois, drivers are required to carry auto insurance. This is meant to ensure that they and other road users are protected, should an accident occur. Yet the type of protection they expect, and the kind they receive are sometimes worlds apart. Can an auto accident attorney really help, and if so, to what extent? Are there any other potential benefits to hiring one for your case?