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• Help finding honest, experienced Illinois lawyers that will work for you.
• Legal matters anywhere in the state of Illinois.
• Always free to contact our staff of attorneys and ask for a recommendation or guidance.
• You speak with one of our Illinois attorneys, usually as soon as you call or e-mail and almost always within 24 hours.
• Customer service meets the legal field. It’s like having a lawyer in the family.

What people are saying about FindGreatLawyers.com:

Hiring an attorney to collect a debt

If a debtor owes you money and won’t pay, there are a few ways to put pressure on them. In our opinion, you should skip the collection agency and hire a debt collection attorney. Legal action can be more efficient and you can avoid the risk of hiring an agency that uses illegal tactics, such as threats and lies, to try and collect your money.

We get quite a few calls from people who need help collecting a debt. Not only do they want to hire someone to help, but they want to know what the process is like and how much it’s going to cost.

Most attorneys who are experienced in debt collection follow a similar strategy. The first step is often sending out a letter on their firm letterhead laying out the debt and requesting payment. Many times, this is enough to get the debtor to pay. If it doesn’t work, then the attorney might send another letter, make a call, or something similar. If it still doesn’t work, they’ll likely file a lawsuit.

When a collections lawsuit is filed, the debtor has a certain amount of time to respond. If you’re dealing with someone who is intent on ignoring the situation, they might continue to do so. If they don’t respond, you will win the case. You will then have a judgment against the debtor and you can take steps to force payment, such as wage garnishment or forced sale of assets.

If your debtor is broke or headed for bankruptcy, you may not get to collect what you’re owed, unfortunately. If this is clear from the beginning, you’ll have to weigh your options. Debt collection attorneys charge their fee in two different ways. Contingency fees are where your attorney gets a portion, say 25%, of what you end up recovering. Hourly fees are where you pay by the hour and often start out by giving the attorney a retainer (a couple thousand dollars) to debit their fee from as they do the work. The fee in your case depends on the size of the debt, the likelihood of collecting the debt and your preference.

What is 410 probation?

It’s something that allows you the rare opportunity to keep a felony off your record. Section 410 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act allows certain individuals to get probation instead of a conviction if charged with possession of small amounts of drugs. Section 410 is only for someone who has not been convicted or placed on probation for drug possession in the past.

Getting caught with small amounts of cocaine, for example, is a felony. First-time offenders can avoid serving time and can keep their records clean if they qualify for – and successfully complete – their 410 probation.

In order to get 410 probation, you will be found guilty. Then, the judge basically puts your case on hold. If you successfully complete the probation, then the case is dismissed. If you fail to comply with the terms of your probation, the probation can be revoked and you can be sentenced to whatever penalty the law allows … It’s as if you’re going back to the day you pled guilty, but without the option of probation. You only are eligible for 410 probation one time.

Many people fail 410 probation because the requirements are strict. You cannot break the law during your probation; you cannot possess a firearm; you must submit to periodic drug testing (and pay for it yourself); and you must complete 30 hours of community service in most cases. The judge has the discretion to include additional requirements, such as paying fines and undergoing treatment.

Employers often ask if you have been convicted of a crime. One of the main benefits to 410 probation is that you can answer “no.”

If you can get through probation, you still have one more step to go through if you want to completely erase it from your record. After five years, you can petition for expungement. If granted, the record of your probation will be completely erased. Most types of probation cannot be expunged; 410 probation is an exception.

Keep in mind that 410 probation is not granted automatically. An experienced defense attorney can let you know if it’s realistic for your case.

Take care when hiring a family law attorney

If you have to hire a family law attorney, you’re probably going through a tough time. Stress, financial insecurity, and emotional turmoil can make it hard to focus on something like hiring the right attorney. You might just want to get it over and done with.

However, hiring the right attorney can be the difference between success and failure. People call us wanting the “best” divorce or custody attorney out there. We don’t blame them for asking – a lot is at stake in these cases. However, it’s an attorney’s experience, personality and reputation that give you an advantage. And that formula is different for everyone.

One thing to be wary of is an attorney who seems to handle everything. In our opinion, the more areas they practice in, the less likely it is that they are thoroughly entrenched in family law. You want someone who is handling family law cases every day, appearing in family court all the time and up to date on changes in the relevant laws. The danger is that an attorney who rarely handles family law cases might fail to address all the issues, which could cause you problems later on.

For example, Qualified Domestic Relation Orders (QDRO’s) are used to divide retirement plans, which often end up being marital (joint) property. Dividing up this kind of asset can be tricky. QDRO’s take care of the details of splitting up a retirement plan or pension. Once a divorce is finalized, you typically can’t go back and ask for something you forgot to ask for in the first place. You need an attorney who knows and understands all aspects of property division in a divorce.

Another problem we’ve seen comes up in custody cases. An attorney who is less familiar with all the options available might tell you you’re getting “joint custody” when really it’s not custody at all but just visitation. Your attorney is supposed to be the expert. They should have the knowledge to explain the ramifications of what you’re agreeing to in a custody negotiation.

So if you know a defense attorney who says they can help you with your divorce, or if your neighbor is an attorney and offers to take on your custody case, take a step back and think about what’s best for you and your family.

Five Tips for Hiring an Illinois Injury Attorney

An injury is an unexpected interruption in your life and can cause a lot of stress. A lawsuit may or may not be something you’re thinking about right away. But if it becomes clear that your injury might be permanent and the medical bills are piling up, you might start wondering if you can go after the responsible party for your losses. The best way to know is to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney. Here are some tips on finding the right lawyer – someone who is experienced and reputable, and also good at working with their clients.

• Start with the specific area of law. You can easily narrow down your options by focusing only on attorneys who practice in the area of personal injury. Some attorneys focus on a couple different areas of law, but those who have just one or two practice areas will probably be your best bet.
• Look for experience. An attorney who has at least ten years of experience is going to know more than someone new. The longer they’ve been practicing, the more relationships they are likely to have with others in the legal community.
• Find a firm with resources. A larger firm in a big city is going to have the connections and resources to aggressively pursue your case, taking it to trial if need be. You might need experts to testify and that costs money, which your attorney should cover. Finding reputable experts can be easier for an established firm, as well.
• Set up a consultation. Make sure to go in prepared with questions about their experience, past success in similar cases, customer service and communication style, fees and strategy. Also make sure you feel comfortable with the attorney and confident in their ability to take your case.
• If it doesn’t feel right, try again. A consultation doesn’t obligate you to hire the attorney. If it doesn’t seem like a good fit, try talking to someone else. It’s worth the extra effort at this stage. You certainly are allowed to switch attorneys later on, but it’s a lot easier if you get it right the first time.

There is no shortage of personal injury attorneys in Illinois. Taking the time to find an attorney who is the right fit for your case can make a difference, not only in the outcome of your case but in your overall experience with the legal system.

You Can’t Sue a Doctor For Being Scummy

I was really lucky recently to go to a benefit dinner where a lot of the top area cardiologists were being honored. A friend of mine was there and he knew most of these great doctors. But he pointed out one who isn’t so fantastic.

The long and short of it is the doctor runs a weight loss clinic where he charges a lot of money for his services to people that can’t afford it. So what he does is finance the treatment himself at allegedly really high interest rates. So basically people end up paying double what the procedures really costs, even if the “help” he is giving is just offering pills and diet advice.

This doc sounds unethical to me and I’ve received calls from others who went through similar experiences where they felt ripped off or preyed upon. They were hoping that I’d recommend an Illinois medical malpractice lawyer to them, but I couldn’t. The problem is that these aren’t malpractice cases at all. Unless there are major physical injuries, it would not be a case worth pursuing in my opinion.

You can always report them to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations and maybe that will cause them to lose their license to practice medicine. But bringing a lawsuit would be a non-starter unless we can find an Illinois law that is being broken.

Most doctors like lawyers are great people. But there are some bad guys out there. The best way to stop them is usually to stop seeing them.

New topics on our website

We try to continually post new information dealing with Illinois laws.  Here are some recently added pages to our site:

• Illinois Statute of Limitations FAQ
• Illinois Statute of Limitations Guide
• Illinois Social Security and Workers' Compensation Claims
• Bed Bugs Injuries
• Dissolving a Business Partnership in Illinois
• Drug Trafficking

Big Companies Behaving Badly

Some big and not so big companies appear to be breaking the law. Some cell phone outfits practice “cramming” which puts small charges on phone bills for things not actually ordered like ring tones or games. Most people don’t even notice it.

Other times big life insurance companies are refusing to pay out on a policy even though it is all paid up.

Finally, we’ve noticed some banks in Illinois are charging bogus overdraft fees by changing the order of checks in order to maximize fees.

If any of these illegal things has happened to you, we want to know about it. Call us at (800) 517-1614 to discuss it and possibly get a referral to an attorney who will handle your case. For cases like these there are no fees unless the lawyer is successful.

You can have a legal gun permit and get arrested for having a gun

Every day thousands of out of state residents pass through Illinois. Many of these people are law abiding citizens that have a gun permit in their home state. Unfortunately, if they don’t have an Illinois FOID card they are likely illegally possessing a gun and can be charged with a felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon.

Even if you take the steps needed to have a FOID card, you can’t have a loaded, concealed firearm. This also is a felony. We’ve scene many instances where someone with a loaded gun in a trunk got pulled over for a routine traffic ticket and ended up charged with a felony that could put them in jail for years.

On top of all of this, even if you are just passing through Illinois, but get a FOID card, if you are in possession of a handgun or other types of weapons in Chicago, you can still get charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

If you aren’t sure what to do, we suggest that you either consult with an Illinois criminal defense law firm or call the Illinois State Police.

Hiring an Illinois attorney is a two way street

As a client you have the right to choose who to hire to represent you. We are big believers that there is no such thing as the “best lawyer in Illinois”, but rather there is the right attorney for your situation. In most cases there isn’t just one attorney that fits that description. Don’t be afraid to really interview attorneys and discuss a game plan with them before you hire them. You can always switch lawyers, but it’s best to make the right decision the first time.

Also remember that no law firm has an obligation to take on your case. We strongly encourage you to do things that will make the attorney want your case or avoid things that will make them think twice about representing you. Be on time for your meeting. Call if you have to cancel. Be organized. And most importantly, be honest. Most attorneys that we recommend will drop their clients if they found out that they have been lied to.

One of the most interesting things about the law is that it keeps evolving. Starting in January of 2009 there were new laws about DUI’s and how to get driving privileges back. We also have seen a new wave of potential product liability lawsuits due to problems that result from patients with an implanted IVC Filter. Whereas years ago those products were thought of as safe, now attorneys that we recommend are pursuing lawsuits based on evidence that they cause harm.

The point of all of this is that when hiring a lawyer in Illinois you should make sure that they are the right one for you and that they are up to date on all of the latest developments in the law. Whether it is new laws or new types of cases to pursue, going with an uninformed attorney will likely lead to a lack of success.

We get asked a lot of questions about various areas of Illinois law. Here are responses to some of them that we thought the general public would be interested in:

• There is no official source for won-lost record in court actions because most cases are settled and a win to one person could be a loss to someone else.
• To have a class action lawsuit, you typically have to show that every wronged person had a similar experience.
• If you skip a court date, a default judgment can be entered against you, and the plaintiff would get whatever they are asking for.
• Power of attorneys expires upon the death of the person who has granted it.
• Corporations in Illinois cannot represent themselves in lawsuits.
• If a defendant does not have enough insurance to cover a judgment they can be personally liable.
• In most social security disability cases, you have to be rejected from the Government twice before a lawyer can get involved on your behalf to try to have benefits awarded to you.
• You usually have only one year to sue for slander or liable from the date that it was spoken or written.
• It is a violation of federal law for someone to send you a fax without your permission or any previous relationship with you. Fines can be up to $1500 a page.
• It is a violation of federal law for someone to send you a text message without your permission or any other established relationship with you.
• In most small claims actions, parties are not represented because it is not cost effective, but you are allowed to have an attorney represent you in those actions.
• We do not know of any lawyers that are taking on new lawsuits against tobacco companies for their marketing practices from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
• Just about every Social Security lawyer we know works on a contingency basis.
• There is no such thing as the best lawyer in Illinois, but rather you should look for the best lawyer for your specific needs.
• If your attorney has represented you officially in court, you can’t just fire them. The attorney has permission from the judge to be removed from the case.
• A Bar Association, while often a valuable resource, is usually just a club that anyone can join.
• If you have an agreement with someone, get it in writing.
• Most documents from a lawsuit or other court action are public record that can be obtained at the local county courthouse where the case is heard.
• It is a felony in Illinois to record a conversation without the other parties’ knowledge.

We also get a lot of calls from people looking for the name of specific attorneys in Illinois.  We aren’t a directory service and only recommend specific Illinois law firms that we know personally.  If you are simply looking for the name and contact information of a lawyer in IL, we suggest that you visit www.Illinoislawyers.com.

If you are going to buy real estate with anyone other than your spouse - write a partnership agreement. The partnership agreement should spell out who is going to be liable for which costs, which party owns what percentage of interest in the property and who gets the property or how it is liquidated in the event of a break up of the partnership. If you don't think this through in advance, when everyone is friendly, it could be very costly in the end, when everyone is angry.

Receiving severance from a former employer does not prevent the employee from also getting unemployment benefits. If the severance is marked as "wages" for a particular period of time, the employee must wait for that period of time to be over before applying for unemployment.

Effective in September, 2010, the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance requires landlords to put the name and address of the financial institution where the tenant's security deposit will be kept. If the landlord moves the deposit during the rental, the landlord has to let the tenant know. Until now, landlords were not required to disclose this information to tenants.

You should diligently research a home repair contractor before hiring them. In my experience with real estate and commercial litigation, I have found that sometimes litigation can be avoided by doing your diligence upfront, or by contacting an attorney in order to make sure your rights are protected. You just may be able to avoid a headache and costly litigation later.

Be careful when accepting a gift of any size from an estate. By accepting even a small portion of a gift under a will, you will very likely waive your right to contest that will. So if you have any thoughts of contesting a relative's will you should refuse to receive any money from the estate, no matter how small an amount.

Web Site Disclaimer: None of the information on this website should be considered legal advice. The law in Illinois is constantly changing and although we do our best to keep our website current, you should not make any final determinations based on what you read here. By contacting us or any lawyer that you are referred to through this website, you have not created an attorney-client relationship. The only way to establish an attorney client relationship with us or any other Illinois lawyer is through a signed retainer agreement in which you agree to hire the lawyer and they agree to work with you as a client. The advice that you receive from us should be taken in general terms. Finally, there is never a cost to speak with the Illinois attorneys that run our site and will talk to you on the phone or by e-mail for free. However, the cost to actually handle a case by any lawyer that we recommend is between you and that law firm. If you have questions about anything we offer or anything related to our website please call us at (312) 346-5320.

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