Blog
Identity Theft: The Criminal Charge for Using Someone Else’s Name
Posted on December 16th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
Identity theft is a serious crime that is prosecuted aggressively in the State of Illinois. Under Illinois law, it is a crime to use someone else’s name or personal identification to fraudulently obtain credit, money, goods, services, or other property or commit any felony theft or other felony violation of State law. This also applies […]
Bankruptcy and Credit Ratings: Will Bankruptcy Effect My Credit Rating?
Posted on December 11th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
One of the questions that we receive most often concerns bankruptcy and credit ratings. Clients are often concerned how bankruptcy will affect their credit score. While there is some truth to the statement that bankruptcy and credit ratings are connected, it is often not in the way that most people assume. Most people assume that […]
What Is The Monetary Cost Of Divorce?
Posted on December 9th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
The emotional cost of divorce is significant; however, the financial cost of divorce is often one of the top concerns for most family law clients. As attorneys, we understand that the cost of divorce is an issue for clients because many are still adjusting to having only one income in the household as they struggle […]
What is the HGN Field Sobriety Test?
Posted on December 2nd, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
When a driver is stopped by law enforcement officers in Illinois under the suspension of driving under the influence (DUI), the officer typically performs a variety of field sobriety tests, including the HGN field sobriety test, to determine if an arrest for DUI is justified. There are three standardized field sobriety tests used by law […]
What Is The Difference Between Chapter 7 And Chapter 13?
Posted on November 25th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
Dealing with a financial crisis is stressful and frustrating. By the time people come to our office to discuss Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy options, they have typically tried everything they can think of to pay their bills from getting part-time jobs to selling their property and dipping into their retirement accounts. We encourage […]
What Is A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Posted on November 18th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is one type of bankruptcy that individuals, couples and businesses may file under the Bankruptcy Code. If a business files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief, the business closes and the assets are liquidated by the Chapter 7 Trustee. Individuals who file under Chapter 7 are often worried about losing assets because Chapter […]
Mandatory Credit Counseling and Debt Education
Posted on November 11th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
When Congress passed The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), there were many changes to the Bankruptcy Code. One of the controversial changes was the requirement that debtors must complete mandatory credit counseling and debt education courses in order to file bankruptcy and obtain a bankruptcy discharge. These courses are an […]
Drivers Hang onto License After Ticket
Posted on August 21st, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
People will be happy to know that effective January 1st 2015 drivers who are ticketed in Illinois for a petty traffic offense will be able to retain their driver’s license before the ticket is paid. Prior to this drivers were forced to turn over their license as security that they would pay the ticket.
US Regulator Takes Aim at Debt Collectors
Posted on August 6th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
The Wall Street Journal recently released a story that the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPD, is taking aim at a large debt collection law firm. The CFPD is a segment of the Executive Branch of the US government who is charged with enforcing federal consumer financial laws. The recent law suit filed by […]
DUI Charge for Prior Marijuana Use
Posted on July 10th, 2014 by Joe Pioletti
Illinois residents do not have to be impaired to be guilty of DUI. Use of marijuana days, or even weeks, before an arrest could be enough to constitute the offense. Under Illinois law, a person is guilty of DUI if he or she drives under the influence of any drug or combination of drugs to […]