by Attorney Eric D. Puryear False accusations of domestic abuse are common in divorce and custody cases in Illinois and Iowa. Properly handling such accusations of domestic violence is of the highest importance.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Domestic battery or other instances of domestic violence can have a significant effect upon how the Illinois courts handle child custody decisions in divorce or custody cases.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Parental Alienation is a situation that is often created in custody and divorce cases when one parent (or other individual) attempts to destroy the relationship between a child and the other parent. Illinois law quite correctly sees such improper action on the part of a parent, grandparent, or other person as seriously damaging to the child, and the Illinois
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Parental Alienation is a situation commonly produced in divorce and custody cases when one parent (or other person) tries to destroy the relationship between a child and the other parent. Iowa law recognizes such improper action on the part of a parent, grandparent, or other person is seriously harmful to the child, and the Iowa court system can address the situation.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A history of domestic abuse can have a serious effect upon the custody determinations that the Iowa court makes in a divorce or custody cases.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Being served with divorce papers can be an upsetting and stressful event for many people. However, it is important to handles the situation properly so as to avoid harm to one’s custody and property rights.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Mediation is a process employed by many courts to try and resolve some or all of the contested matters in a divorce case, without having to proceed to a trial. Sometimes mediation is mandatory, and other times it is voluntary. The mediation process has the potential to be useful to parties in a divorce case, but mediation also can lead to problems if it is not handled properly.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Pets are an important part of many people’s lives. Indeed, I have seen Illinois divorce cases where there was more concerns over a dog or cat then some people people sadly show for their children. As such, handling pet matters in a divorce case can be of great importance.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In the hearts of their human owners, pets can feel like as much a member of the family as a person. As such, getting the right resolution for the distribution of pets in an Iowa divorce case is often of great importance.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Criminal history checks are becoming more common with each passing year, increasing the importance of maintaining a good criminal record.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear During divorce cases, it is not uncommon for a spouse to try and spend marital money in an inappropriate manner. Sometimes that involves emptying out bank accounts. Other times, a spouse will overuse credit cards during the divorce case. It is important to address that improper spending quickly in Illinois or Iowa.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In Illinois and Iowa custody cases, the court has the authority to issue in emergency injunction to prevent harm to a child. This article discusses injunctions in the Illinois Circuit Court and Iowa District Court.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear If a person does not obey a court Order in Illinois, then there is a remedy called a Rule to Show Cause (also referred to as a Contempt Action) that can be brought to address the matter. In Illinois, a Rule to Show Cause is often used to address failures to pay child support and interference with visitation.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In Iowa, when a person fails to follow a court order, the matter can be addressed through a Rule to Show Cause (which is sometimes also called a contempt action). A Rule to Show Cause is most commonly used in family law cases to address violations of court orders involving custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Identity theft affects tens of millions of Americans each year, costing billions of dollars. In recent years, the number of breaches of personal information and the sophistication of identity thieves has increased dramatically, with no signs of stopping. However, there are steps that everyone can take to reduce the risk of identity theft.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A person who is out on bond during the pendency of a criminal case may find that the bond conditions originally set by the court are not longer workable, due to a change in circumstances. The solution is to seek a modification of the bond terms.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In Illinois, 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1 makes it a crime for a person who has been convicted of a felony in Illinois or another state to possess a firearm or ammunition:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Iowa law prohibits people who have been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor of domestic violence, who are subject to a protective order, or have a juvenile adjudication that would have been a conviction if they had been an adult from possessing firearms or ammunition, under Iowa Code section 724.26.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Under Iowa law, a registered agent is an individual (or a corporation depending on the business organization) designated by the entity to accept service of process
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Illinois law requires a sentencing judge in a criminal case to consider a series of factors when determining a sentence to impose upon a defendant who has been convicted of a crime. There are factors in aggravation, which suggest a harsher sentence, and factors in mitigation, which suggest a lighter sentence. Those factors and additional guidance as to sentencing are