Archive for August, 2010

Oral agreements are worth the paper their written on

Posted on November 28, 2009 by John Steele

I received several inquiries today from people who wanted to know how they go about enforcing an oral agreement.  My first option would be to get a time machine.  That way the person can go back, grab a lawyer, have him draft an agreement, and get the person to sign it.  My second option would be . . . look at it as a learning experience for next time when you should grab a lawyer, have him draft an agreement, and get the person to sign it. Read the rest of this entry »

, , , , , ,

No Comments

Respecting Illinois judges (part II)

Posted on November 3, 2009 by John Steele

6 Months in jail for flipping off the judge.  I love these stories, as its about time judges started taking back the courtroom from people who think the ghetto or trailer park they live in somehow extends to the courtroom:

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/mchenry.contempt.court.2.1288146.html

Posted on November 3, 2009 by John Steele

6 Months in jail for flipping off the judge. I love these stories, as its about time judges started taking back the courtroom from people who think the ghetto or trailer park they live in somehow extends to the courtroom:

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/mchenry.contempt.court.2.1288146.html

]]>

No Comments

New Parental Notification Law takes effect Nov 3rd

Posted on November 2, 2009 by John Steele

For those of you who do not know, starting tomorrow, November 3rd, the law requiring parental notification goes into effect in regards to abortion.  Now this is not a post regarding abortion, but rather my thoughts as a family lawyer on the issue of parental notification. Read the rest of this entry »

, , , ,

No Comments

Happy Halloween!

Posted on October 31, 2009 by John Steele

Hope everyone has a safe Halloween, and enjoy the kids (if you have any).  Halloween is one of those quasi-holidays for parenting time purposes.  Parents who fight over such things as having the kids for their own birthday, and minor holidays such as Memorial Day just do not get it. Read the rest of this entry »

, , ,

No Comments

The Judge is Always Right

Posted on October 10, 2009 by John Steele

Maybe not, but I promise you won’t win the argument!

I just read about an attorney (who shall remain anonymous) who was suspended for one month for his behavior in court.  Suffice it to say that despite the increasingly lax atmosphere of Cook County courtrooms, judges still do not like being disrespected. Read the rest of this entry »

, , , ,

No Comments

We Moved!

Posted on September 28, 2009 by John Steele

Wanted to drop a post and tell everyone that The Steele Law Firm is moving its downtown office on October 1st to 161 N. Clark St.  We will be on the 47th floor in the Chicago Title building.  Its very nice and across the street from the Daley center and the Clark/Lake El station.  Anyway, the number is still the same.  Any mail sent to the old Wacker Drive address will still get to us in case anyone sent something to the old address.

No Comments

Principle costs Principal

Posted on August 25, 2009 by John Steele

It is not cost effective to pay an attorney $250 to fight over $20.  Such an obvious truism loses against the rocks of emotion in a divorce.  While some attorneys see such silliness as an opportunity to make their mortgage payment early, I thinks its dishonest to promote such behavior. Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments

Maintenance

Posted on July 15, 2009 by Jason Schneider

The statutory scheme for Family Law is not perfect and there are a lot of things that could be changed or added, but one of the most irksome problem is the maintenance provision. 750 ILCS 5/ is the statutory authority that governs dissolution of marriage proceedings. Read the rest of this entry »

, ,

No Comments

Home State for Child Custody Purposes

Posted on July 13, 2009 by Jason Schneider

Many people do not know what a Home State is, but according to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (“UCCJEA”) a child’s Home State is one of the most important factors in a Child Custody case, particularly if the child has moved out of state. Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments

Divorce and the Internet

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Jason Schneider

Social networking sites have hit the mainstream and many of us have made it a daily routine to check and update our Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter profiles. These sites can be a great tool to allow us to stay in touch with friends and family and to keep them up to date on our lives. Read the rest of this entry »

,

No Comments