Posted on June 26, 2008 by John Steele

I learned the hard way today that employees at the DuPage courthouse are really anxious to leave work! Don’t stand near the doors at 4:30 (or try to get an emergency motion heard after 4 p.m.).  Oh well, lesson learned. Posted on June 26, 2008 by John Steele

I learned the hard way today that employees at the DuPage courthouse are really anxious to leave work! Don't stand near the doors at 4:30 (or try to get an emergency motion heard after 4 p.m.). Oh well, lesson learned.

]]>

Posted on June 5, 2008 by John Steele

A situation I observed today made me think of something.  Here is a good piece of advice: ALWAYS use an attorney with malpractice insurance.  Malpractice insurance can protect you in case the attorney does something unethical, incorrect, or illegal. Also, I have never met an attorney I feel is a good attorney that does not have it.  Think about it, if an attorney or firm does not have enough worldly possessions to make it worth his while to spend $2000 a year on insurance for the practice, how good can they be, and how much can they really care about their clients? Posted on June 5, 2008 by John Steele

A situation I observed today made me think of something. Here is a good piece of advice: ALWAYS use an attorney with malpractice insurance. Malpractice insurance can protect you in case the attorney does something unethical, incorrect, or illegal. Also, I have never met an attorney I feel is a good attorney that does not have it. Think about it, if an attorney or firm does not have enough worldly possessions to make it worth his while to spend $2000 a year on insurance for the practice, how good can they be, and how much can they really care about their clients?

]]>

Posted on February 27, 2008 by John Steele

Today my client sent me my monthly payment for services in a Thank You card that read in part, ” Thanks for helping me to feel that I am not alone in this mess!” Last week I got a baby gift from a client who found out my significant other is expecting a baby.  Having happy, or grateful clients, who leave my office better than when they came in is a much more rewarding feeling than simply making money.   Of course one can say such lofty comments when one is not worried about the mortgage I suppose.  But I do remember my dad reminding me every so often that if a man enjoys what he does, he never works a day in his life.  And to my client who sent me the card, thanks for making my day!

Posted on February 14, 2008 by John Steele

What a wonderful time of the year for those of us who are not married, almost married, or with someone we might want to marry.  (Sarcasm alert)  Of all the Hallmark holidays, this is the one I think is most unfair, both to those who build it up to impossible expectations and to those who have to pay for the expensive dinner and gifts. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted on January 1, 2008 by John Steele

This time of year is very stressful for relationships. Traditionally, more divorces are filed around this time. I think people put unrealistic expectations on the holidays. Also, having to see in-laws is oftentimes not fun. In England, the first monday of the new year is called national divorce day (or something like that) because its rude to ask for a divorce in England so everyone waits until the new year.  For my firm, I have seen a large increase in calls and clients since Christmas, and am sure America is following its cousins across the Atlantic.  Just a merry thought I had this New Years. Posted on January 1, 2008 by John Steele

This time of year is very stressful for relationships. Traditionally, more divorces are filed around this time. I think people put unrealistic expectations on the holidays. Also, having to see in-laws is oftentimes not fun. In England, the first monday of the new year is called national divorce day (or something like that) because its rude to ask for a divorce in England so everyone waits until the new year. For my firm, I have seen a large increase in calls and clients since Christmas, and am sure America is following its cousins across the Atlantic. Just a merry thought I had this New Years.

]]>

Thanks to our mobile society and the fact that family law is state specific, many people are confused about where to go if they want to change custody or some other post decree need. Generally, the state that the original divorce was filed is the correct place to file such post decree motions such as change of custody, modifications, etc.  This remains true if the child remains in that state, or at least one parent.  If there is no one affected by the final divorce decree left in the original state, the new state where the affected parties live is the correct forum. There are situations (beyond the scope of this post) when the issue is murky and lawyers basically can argue one way or another.  Courts like to look at where the children reside when determining which state has the strongest interest in deciding the matter. Posted on December 10, 2007 by John Steele

Thanks to our mobile society and the fact that family law is state specific, many people are confused about where to go if they want to change custody or some other post decree need. Generally, the state that the original divorce was filed is the correct place to file such post decree motions such as change of custody, modifications, etc. This remains true if the child remains in that state, or at least one parent. If there is no one affected by the final divorce decree left in the original state, the new state where the affected parties live is the correct forum. There are situations (beyond the scope of this post) when the issue is murky and lawyers basically can argue one way or another. Courts like to look at where the children reside when determining which state has the strongest interest in deciding the matter.

]]>