The Business Lounge Podcast

This video gives an in-depth explanation of college contribution, what it means, what expenses can be ordered to be paid, and how much a parent can be ordered to pay for college contribution. College contribution is a form of child support to be paid for a child who is no longer a minor child. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/illinois-child-support-college-...

Iowa categorizes employees in two ways: “contract employees” and “at will employees”. Contract employees typically have a written contract with their employers that covers the terms of their employment. This usually includes the terms that apply to termination of the contract by either party. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/terminating-an-employee-in-iowa...

Have you ever come home to find a 3-day notice posted on your door? Do not worry. In this video we discuss all there is to know about the 3-day notice in Iowa and how to respond. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/evictions-in-iowa-3-day-notice O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. If you have any questions regarding...

In Iowa, divorces that involve children automatically enter an order for child custody, child support and visitation when the order for the divorce is entered. However, if you were never married to your child (or children’s) other parent, you can still petition (request) the Court for a child support order. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/how-is-child-supp...

In certain cases, a minor will need to live with someone other than their parents as a legal guardian. Many of the duties of a legal parent are assumed by a legal guardian, including basic necessities including food and shelter. The following are some often asked questions about minor children's guardianship. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/guardianship-of...

When someone is appointed guardian of the estate, that person manages the finances and pays bills for the ward. A ward is the minor child or a legally disabled adult. The guardian of the estate is responsible for the care, management, and investment of the estate of a disabled adult or minor child. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/how-does-a-guardian-admini...

As many criminal law issues involve questions of Constitutional Law, decisions of the United States Supreme Court affect Iowa criminal law. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/changes-to-iowa-criminal-law-2021 O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. If you have any questions regarding a case or would like to speak to one...

In March of this year, Iowa’s governor, Gov. Kim Reynolds was presented with a bill that if signed, would allow Iowans to purchase and carry handguns without a permit. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/can-i-purchase-handguns-without-a-permit-in-iowa-2021 O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. If you have any question...

Serving as a guardian for an adult with disabilities in helpful in allowing someone to care for and make decisions for someone that may not be able to do so themselves. There are many things to consider when appointing and becoming a guardian. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/court-preparation-for-adult-guardianship-hearings O’Flaherty Law now serves over 1...

Take some time to brainstorm and research business ideas. Consider your own interests, expertise, capital, availability, and the reasons why you want to start a business at this time. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/your-ultimate-guide-to-business-start-up O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. If you have any quest...

The court-appointment of a surrogate/substitute decision maker for a person over the age of 18 who is unable to make decisions due to any degree of incapacity is known as guardianship. When an individual hits the age of 18, they are granted all of the legal rights that adults have. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/adult-guardianship-faqs O’Flaherty Law now...

Mediation can help couples resolve their divorce in a quicker and less costly process than litigation. Additionally, with mediation, the parties retain control over the process and retain control over the outcome of the divorce. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/how-to-prepare-for-divorce-mediation-in-illinois O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties acro...

If you are facing a divorce, you may be concerned about the length and cost of the legal battle ahead of you. However, if you and your spouse agree on all of the issues involved in your divorce, you may be able to avoid the long and expensive process of a messy divorce by obtaining an “uncontested divorce”. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/what-is-an-uncont...

Assisted living care can be extremely expensive. Fortunately, if you qualify for Medicaid, the government will foot the bill for this care. Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts exist to help you into your elder years and keep you safe and protected. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/what-is-a-medicaid-asset-protection-trust-illinois-elder-law O’Flaherty Law now...

Compared to a last will and testament, this form of trust has several distinct advantages. This article discusses the benefits of a trust vs. a will, including: Getting Around Probate, Keeping Your Personal Information; and Making Provisions for Mental Illness. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/which-is-better-in-illinois-a-will-or-a-trust O’Flaherty Law now...

Generally, a parental responsibility law makes parents or guardians liable for certain conduct caused by their minor children. Iowa’s parental responsibility law is codified in Iowa Code section 613.16. The following article will provide an overview of this law. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/iowa-law-parental-and-legal-guardian-liability-for-a-minors-con...

Although recent changes in the law have made recreational marijuana legal in Illinois, there are still many other controlled dangerous substances (CDS) that are illegal and come with hefty fines and jail time. Read the full article here: The Illinois Controlled Substances Act criminalizes the manufacture, possession, and delivery of controlled substances, counterfeit substances, and analog substan...

Typically, when one wants to obtain a divorce, or a ‘dissolution of marriage’, one hires an attorney. When it is an amicable divorce and there is no need to hire an attorney, it is called a pro se divorce. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/what-is-a-pro-se-divorce Divorce can carry complicated issues, especially when parties share children or a lot of proper...

While a lot of immigration practice focuses on people who are inside the USA with valid status or outside of the US being sponsored for entry, a portion of the practice deals with people who may be present in the United States without status. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/am-i-considered-an-undocumented-citizen-in-2021 These people can be without status...

There are several ways that a person may acquire United States (US) citizenship throughout a person’s life. These forms can be grouped in three main ways: at birth, through US citizen parents after birth and by application. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/who-gains-us-citizenship-at-birth O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, a...

Selling a home can be stressful. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, knowing what to expect can make the difference between a smooth experience and a nightmare. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/what-to-expect-when-selling-a-home-in-iowa Although you may not be legally required to hire one, finding a good real estate lawyer and agent should be your f...

From a very early age, the great majority of us understand that stealing from others is bad. But many don’t understand the specifics of the law, the difference between theft and larceny, and the different levels of charges that can be levied against an individual for theft. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/illinois-theft-law-explained Illinois criminal law...

The Illinois Parentage Act was passed recently by the Illinois Legislature within the last couple of years, and it provides a major improvement to probate law in the area of posthumous children. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/recent-changes-to-illinois-probate-law O’Flaherty Law now serves over 105 counties across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. If you have...

In today’s society, there are many more options for becoming a parent. Whenever a child is born, the parents are typically listed on the birth certificate. But what if there is a disagreement about or between the child’s parents? In this article we answer the question: Who can sign the birth certificate when a child is born in Iowa? Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-a...

Temporary guardianship forms are available in Cook County and a few other counties, but the petitioner or his or her counsel must draft the paperwork in most cases. Read the full article here: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/serving-as-a-guardian-for-an-adult-with-disabilities-part-three The immediate health and wellbeing of the alleged disabled person and his assets shall be of para...