Ekker Law, P.C. / Steven B. Ekker, Esq.

Recent Blog Posts

Understanding Premises Liability in Slip and Fall Accidents in Illinois

 Posted on July 19, 2023 in Personal Injury

Sugar Grove Premises Liability LawyerPremises liability refers to the legal responsibility held by property owners or occupants for accidents that occur on their premises. Slip and fall accidents, which can lead to severe injuries, are one common type of incident covered under premises liability law in Illinois. Today, we will aim to provide an overview of premises liability in slip and fall cases in the state, including relevant laws, the establishment of liability, and more. If you slipped and fell on another person’s premises, contact a personal injury attorney to file a claim.

The Process of Establishing Liability

Several key elements must be proven to establish liability in slip and fall cases:

  1. It must be established that the defendant (property owner or occupant) owed a duty of care to the injured party.

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What Do I Need to Know About Spousal Support in Illinois?

 Posted on July 07, 2023 in Divorce

Sugar Grove Family Law AttorneySpousal support, also known as alimony or maintenance, is a significant part of divorce proceedings that involves one spouse providing financial assistance to the other. Understanding the key factors and considerations surrounding spousal support in Illinois is important for both parties involved. Today, we will provide an overview of spousal support law in Illinois and shed light on what is most important to know. Remember, for questions and concerns about your divorce, your divorce lawyer will be a tremendous resource as you navigate this turbulent period

Eligibility for Spousal Support 

In Illinois, either spouse may be eligible for spousal support, primarily based on the individual's income and earning capacity. Other factors include how long the couple was married, the standard of living the couple enjoyed during the marriage, the age and health of each person in the relationship, the future earning potential of each spouse, and more. A common misconception exists that spousal support is always rewarded in divorce cases. This is not true. Spousal support may or may not be a relevant aspect of your case. Your attorney will help you understand whether spousal support is something pertinent to your case

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Understanding Ways in Which Medical Malpractice Can Occur

 Posted on June 29, 2023 in Personal Injury

Kane County Medical Malpractice LawyerMedical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional or medical facility deviates from the standard of care and causes harm or injury to a patient. Such instances are more common than many realize and can adversely affect one’s welfare and quality of life. As a result, it is essential to understand how medical malpractice manifests itself and how a personal injury attorney can help

Forms of Medical Malpractice

Commonly seen forms of medical malpractice include the following:

  • Doctor errors – This form of medical malpractice is one of if not the most common form. These errors can range from failing to diagnose a condition, misdiagnosis, prescribing the wrong medication or performing a surgical procedure negligently with resulting complications. Most doctors have the expertise and training to provide top-notch medical care, but mistakes can and do still happen. Common errors committed by doctors may be from fatigue or communication breakdowns.

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Professionals to Consider Working with During Your Divorce

 Posted on June 16, 2023 in Divorce

Sugar Grove Family Law AttorneyGoing through a divorce can be one of the most challenging things anyone will ever go through. As a result, building a support team of professionals can be highly beneficial as you look to protect yourself legally, financially, and emotionally. Of course, your greatest resource during this process will be your divorce lawyer. However, there may be other professionals, non-lawyers, who can also assist you during this process.

Here Are Professionals to Keep on Your Radar During Your Divorce

These professionals may be beneficial to you as you navigate your divorce. They include the following:

  • Real estate agents - These professionals can provide critical support during a divorce by assessing and guiding one through selling jointly owned property, such as the marital home. While the marital home is not always sold during a divorce, there are many cases where selling the house will become necessary. During the division of property process where the sale of the marital home is involved, licensed real estate agents can conduct a market analysis, assess potential flaws in the property, develop creative marketing plans, and provide important information or advice regarding how to price and sell the home. Moreover, an experienced real estate agent will be familiar with the legal minutiae that inevitably arise during the sales process of a home. Realtors can also help work with divorce attorneys as spouses navigate the property division process.

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What Are Common Misconceptions Regarding Asset Division in Illinois Divorces? 

 Posted on May 30, 2023 in Divorce

Sugar Grove Divorce LawyerDivorce can be stressful and heartbreaking for everyone involved, and things can become even more complex and problematic when it comes time to divide assets. Assets accumulated during the marriage are typically subject to division and distribution according to Illinois law, but there are many things that need to be clarified surrounding this process. Today, we will address some misconceptions to ensure clarity regarding the asset division process. In addition, it is essential to understand how important a divorce lawyer is as you approach this process, as failing to hire an attorney will make the entire divorce process significantly more difficult and increase the chance that your eventual settlement will turn out in your favor

Be Aware of These Critical Misconceptions About Illinois Asset Division

  • Misconception #1 – Assets are divided 50/50 in an Illinois divorce: In Illinois, assets are divided equitably but not exactly equally. When it comes to asset division, the court will consider several factors, including each spouse’s contribution towards acquiring and maintaining the marital property and each spouse’s earning capacity and finances

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I Was Injured in a Car Accident, and the Other Driver Drove Off. What Should I Do?

 Posted on May 16, 2023 in Personal Injury

Sugar Grove Personal Injury LawyerGetting into a car accident can be a distressing, often life-changing event. The experience can be daunting, especially when the accident was not your fault and you experienced an injury. Matters can quickly become even more troublesome when the driver responsible for the accident flees the scene. If you are in this situation, do not fret, as there are legal options at your disposal you can choose to implement. Calling a personal injury attorney when an accident like this occurs can be vital as a legal professional can investigate the situation and make sure your rights stay protected.

What to Know if You Are Ever in This Situation

In Illinois, the law regarding fleeing the scene of an accident is stringent and clear. According to Illinois law, it is illegal to leave the site of an accident. Furthermore, any time a car accident occurs, drivers are expected and required to remain at the scene until it is appropriate to leave. Despite the law prohibiting the act of fleeing the scene of an accident, some drivers still attempt to flee the scene, which they may decide to do for a number of misguided reasons. However, regardless of whether the driver responsible for the accident flees the scene, there are still actions you should take to protect yourself and your rights

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5 Essential Provisions in Your Illinois Parenting Plan

 Posted on April 24, 2023 in Family Law

Kane County Child Custody LawyerIf you are getting divorced and you share children with your spouse, creating a parenting plan will be an essential aspect of the divorce process. The parenting plan contains all of the need-to-know information about how child custody arrangements will be handled after the divorce. There are several different elements that you must include in your parenting plan according to Illinois law, but you are allowed to include additional information as well. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most important provisions required in an Illinois parenting plan.

The Parenting Time Schedule

In Illinois, the term visitation has been replaced by “parenting time.” When a parent is assigned parenting time, they are responsible for supervising the child, feeding and bathing the child, and handling other basic needs. You can set up the parenting time schedule however you want. Some parents create a plan in which the child spends three days of the week with one parent and four days of the week with the other parent. In other plans, one parent has the child the majority of the time while the other parent only sees the child one or two weekends a month. Your parenting time schedule will depend on your work schedules, your unique needs, and what is best for your child.

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Financial Dishonesty in Your Divorce: What You Need to Know

 Posted on April 14, 2023 in Divorce

Kane County Divorce LawyerAlthough most people rarely think about it, marriage is a financial partnership as much as a romantic one. Consequently, there are many financial matters to sort out during a divorce. The spouses' financial circumstances heavily influence property division, child support, and spousal maintenance determinations during a divorce. Divorcing spouses are asked to provide full financial disclosure so that the spouses, their attorneys, and the court can make informed decisions.

Unfortunately, some spouses are tempted to hide assets or lie about their financial situation during a divorce in order to gain an advantage. This type of financial dishonesty can have serious consequences. It is important for divorcing spouses to understand the legal ramifications of financial deceit so that they can protect themselves from unfair outcomes in court.

How Do Divorcing Spouses Try to Hide Assets?

Financial dishonesty during a divorce can take many forms. Some spouses may hide money in offshore accounts to avoid including it in the marital estate. Others may underreport income or obscure the source of income on tax returns, to reduce their share of alimony or child support payments. Additionally, some divorcing spouses will transfer assets without disclosing the transaction or create fake debt to lower their net worth. Business owners may even undervalue their business or transfer assets to the business without disclosing it.

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5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Car Accident Injury Claim

 Posted on March 21, 2023 in Personal Injury

Kane County Personal Injury Lawyer

Car crashes can lead to painful injuries and significant financial losses. If you have been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages such as medical expenses and vehicle repair costs. However, filing a successful personal injury claim and recovering compensation can be complicated, and making mistakes during the process will reduce your chances of success.  

Not Properly Documenting the Accident

If you are able to do so safely, make sure to document everything related to the accident as best as you can. This may include taking photos and videos of the scene, gathering statements from eyewitnesses, and keeping all of your bills, invoices, repair estimates, and other financial documentation. All this evidence will help support your injury claim and solidify your case against other parties involved in the accident.

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5 Divorce Tips for Women in Sugar Grove

 Posted on March 07, 2023 in Divorce

 Kane County Divorce Lawyer

March is Women's History Month. In this blog, we will discuss the unique issues that many women face while getting divorced as well as tips for how to address these issues. Divorcing women often face multiple complicated matters during divorce, legally and personally. They may need to address the division of shared property, the allocation of parenting time and parental responsibilities, spousal support, child support, and other complex legal concerns. They may move out of the marital home, reenter the workforce, and deal with other practical concerns as well.  While no two divorces are alike, there are a few tips that can help make the process smoother for women.

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