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When you are involved in a legal dispute, time is not on your side. Illinois law sets strict deadlines called statutes of limitation that determine when you need to file a civil lawsuit by. Missing these deadlines could mean missing out on receiving any compensation, even if your case is strong. If you are considering taking legal action, talk to a DuPage County, IL civil litigation attorney as soon as possible to make sure you are keeping track of important timelines.
A statute of limitation is a law that sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. Once the deadline passes, courts usually will not hear your case, no matter how much evidence you may have to support your claims. These deadlines are meant to ensure that disputes get resolved without unnecessary delay, preventing claims from growing stale with lost evidence or fading memories.
Young parents and professionals in Illinois often put off estate planning because it feels overwhelming or unnecessary. After all, if you are still early in your career or just starting a family, you may think you do not own enough to need a plan. But the truth is that every adult should have at least a basic estate plan, no matter their age or wealth. Having a plan in place is one of the most reasonable and responsible steps you can take to protect your loved ones.
At NN Legal Group, our Wheaton, IL estate planning attorney provides free consultations to help young families take the first steps. We are committed to making sure every client understands their options clearly.
An estate plan is a set of legal documents that describe what will happen to your assets, your children, and your healthcare if something happens to you. Even a simple plan can prevent confusion and reduce stress for your loved ones. In Illinois, a basic estate plan usually includes:
When parents in Illinois cannot agree on child custody, known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois, the judge must decide what is in the child’s best interests. In some cases, that includes hearing directly from the child. But children do not automatically have the right or obligation to testify.
Whether and how children can voice their opinions in court depends on several factors, including their age, maturity, and the sensitivity of the case. To find out whether your child might be able or required to offer testimony, speak with an experienced DuPage County, IL family law attorney about your case.
Illinois law does not set a minimum age for a child to testify in a custody case. Instead, the judge decides whether the child is mature enough to express a sensible, reasoned preference. In general, courts are more likely to consider the opinion of a child who is at least 12 or 13 years old, but even younger children may be allowed to speak if they seem emotionally and mentally able to do so.
While the real estate frenzy has marginally settled down, it remains a seller’s market. Because of this, as a buyer, you are more likely to consider a property advertised as-is, and as a seller, you may be more likely to sell your property as-is. When a home is sold as-is, there are no obligations on the part of the seller to provide repairs, although any known problems must be disclosed.
A home sold as-is is being sold in its current state, with no upgrades or improvements prior to the sale. Whether you are a buyer or seller, there are pros and cons to an as-is real estate listing. It is always a good idea to discuss your real estate purchase or sale with an experienced Glen Ellyn, IL real estate lawyer. When you have an experienced real estate attorney by your side, you gain peace of mind, knowing you have a legal advocate looking out for you.
Significant changes regarding how Illinois subcontractors can deliver lien notices began on January 1, 2025. The Illinois Mechanics Lien Act governs liens across the state, and the updated law is expected to provide clearer timelines and more flexible delivery options. The updates also reinforce the process that protects lien rights.
Whether you are a homeowner with a mechanic’s lien on your property or a contractor or subcontractor who needs to ensure all legal requirements are met when filing a mechanic’s lien, it can be beneficial to speak to a Glen Ellyn, IL civil litigation attorney who will work with you to negotiate a resolution to lien disputes.
Mechanic’s liens are specific to the construction industry. Unpaid parties with a security interest in a property can file a mechanic’s lien, which guarantees payment to contractors and subcontractors in the event the property is sold. Mechanic’s liens are sometimes necessary to secure construction help on a project.
In 2024, a contractor awarded a $323 million contract for work on the I-294 reconstruction project was improperly terminated, resulting in a breach of contract lawsuit against the Illinois Tollway. The New York-based company claims it began work on the interchange of I-290 and I-88, only to have the contract terminated. The company claims the termination had no legal basis and resulted in harm to the company’s reputation and business.
After several months of litigation, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors approved a $25 million settlement after acknowledging that the agency had made an administrative error when awarding the contract to the construction company. About $15 million of the settlement covers actual damages in construction costs incurred.
The Board claims the contract was canceled due to a new provision in Illinois state law that provides a bid preference for Illinois-based companies, which was inadvertently excluded from the original contract bid evaluation. If you are the victim of a breach of contract, it is important to speak to a knowledgeable Glen Ellyn, IL civil litigation attorney.
When a child custody order is issued, the court understands that future changes in life circumstances may warrant its modification. The burden of proving the need for a change to the order falls on the parent who files, and judges generally have very high standards for what justifies a necessary change. If you need to file for a modification to your custody order, a DuPage County, IL family law attorney will listen to the details of your situation and help you decide on the next appropriate step.
What constitutes a valid claim for modifying a custody agreement can change on a case-by-case basis. However, some common and reasonable grounds for requesting an update include the following:
Aging adults are sometimes reluctant to execute powers of attorney, fearing that they could enable the agent to take control of their finances or place them in a nursing home over their objections. While it is reasonable and understandable to have these fears, knowing how powers of attorney work and when they go into effect will likely make you feel more comfortable creating these essential legal documents. Powers of attorney exist first and foremost to protect the person who creates them. There are different types of POAs you can use depending on whether you want your agent’s powers to go into effect immediately or not until you are incapacitated. An experienced Glen Ellyn, IL estate planning lawyer can help make sure you have the right incapacity planning documents prepared when you need them.
Creating a parenting plan for your children can be emotionally trying. If you are working with your co-parent to establish a parenting plan by agreement, you will need to make compromises. Your parenting plan will need to address your parenting time schedule, first and foremost. You will need to determine when your child will spend time with each parent. You will also need to address your parental responsibilities in your parenting plan. In Illinois, the term "parental responsibilities" refers to parents’ duty to make important decisions about their children’s upbringing. Your parenting plan is your rule book for co-parenting. A well-crafted parenting plan can set you up for smooth and cooperative co-parenting. You should be represented by an experienced Glen Ellyn, IL child custody lawyer while you are creating your parenting plan.
Grandparents often want to leave a gift directly to their grandchildren in their estate plans. Your gifts to your grandchildren are a part of your legacy. Giving what is called a class gift - a gift left to a particular group of people - allows you to divide money equally between your grandchildren. If you plan on leaving a gift for your grandchildren in your will or trust, you may want to consider the possibility that some of your grandchildren could be born after you have become incapacitated or after you have created an irrevocable trust. In these cases, you cannot change the language of your trust to individually include the new grandchild, even if your intended for all of your grandchildren to receive gifts from you. A knowledgeable Glen Ellyn, IL estate planning attorney can help you create trust that accounts for this situation.
From our office in Glen Ellyn, Illinois we serve clients throughout the area including but not limited to Wheaton, Lombard, Villa Park, Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, Addison, Bloomingdale, Elmhurst, Winfield and DuPage County.
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