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General

Do You Need a Lawyer to Buy a House?

Buying a home and signing on a mortgage can be a very complex process. Since it’s such a big investment, and a lot of individuals are involved, you want to make sure you’re working with the right people so you get a fair, safe deal. Lots of paperwork and legal jargon will be flying around, so hiring a lawyer to be by your side could greatly aid you in many ways. Keeps You in Control When you buy a house, the seller most likely uses their own agent or lawyer, and they may try to take over the process. They might try to represent both you and the seller, which is known as a “dual agency,” and that usually benefits just the seller. They might even pressure you into being represented by them. By having your own lawyer by your side, you’ll know that you have someone making decisions in your best interest at all times. Finalizing the Closing Process When you are ready to close, the documents for the...

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Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Illness

Getting approved for social security disability benefits can be a hard process, as you have to do a sufficient job in proving that your disability affects your working status. However, if you suffer from a debilitating mental health disorder, proving its impact on your work life can be even harder given mental health’s stigma. While it’s difficult, getting approved is certainly possible with the right representation. Who is Eligible? The first step is to know if you meet basic SSA requirements for qualifying for benefits, regardless of if your disorder is physical or mental. In order for your application to be reviewed, you must have a formal diagnosis stating that you have a disabling condition, and that the condition will put you in a disabled state for at least 12 months. What’s the SSA “Blue Book”? When the SSA gathers your information to determine if your condition is eligible for benefits, they try to match your symptoms with symptoms listed in the official Blue Book, which is their official medical...

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Why is it Important to Write a Will?

Many people have the misconception that wills are for those who are wealthy or own an excess amount of property and valuable goods. However, wills are meant for everyone and everyone, and it’s highly suggested that regardless of your monetary standing, you work with a lawyer to ensure your estate planning process goes smoothly. What are some of the reasons that writing a will is highly recommended? Less Stress For Your Loved Ones After you pass away, estates have to go through probate court to distribute your assets. However, if you don’t have a will, that process can be extra lengthy, complicated, expensive, and upsetting for family members involved. A personal representative must distribute out estates, as opposed to having wishes on your will be fulfilled. If you have a will, you pick the person who will handle your estate. Overall, leaving a will creates less of a burden for your loved ones, as it takes out the guesswork of what your wishes and wants are. Control Over Assets By...

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When You Need to Hire a Workers Compensation Lawyer

Accidents happen, and the workplace is no exception. If you experience an injury at work such as slipping and falling, construction accident, wrongful death of a loved one, or other work-related accident, you are most likely entitled to some sort of compensation. While you may get lucky with a complying employer, if they refuse to pay you and the case becomes more complex, hiring a workers compensation lawyer can give you a lot of leverage in winning your case. Employer Denies Claim If you present a claim as a result of your injury and your employer denies it, it will be much harder to fight and win the case on your own. It’s not uncommon for employers to believe that employees won’t bother to repeal. However, working with a workers compensation attorney will not only show them you’re serious about your claim, but will boost your chances of winning. Inadequate Settlement Amount If your employer gives you a settlement but it’s far too little to cover the necessary costs of...

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How a Business Lawyer Can Help Start Your Small Business

Starting up a small business can be overwhelming. There are so many different moving parts you have to take care of and want to make sure nothing slips through the cracks so your ideas can be executed seamlessly. One of the most noteworthy parts of starting your business is dealing with the legal side. You may be completely unfamiliar or unaware of what goes on in that sect of running a business, which is why hiring a business law attorney can be game changing. Making the Decisions In the early stages of decision making, before your business is even open, there are many questions you must ask yourself: where you want the business to be, the name, the tag line, the logo, and more. However you may not be aware that some of your decisions could get you into some legal trouble. Are there zoning issues where you want your business to be? Is the name already taken or is there something too similar to it? Is the tagline already...

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Immigration FAQs

When it comes to making the US your new home, it can be stressful navigating through all the steps you need to complete. If you’re looking for lawyers in Rockford IL that will guide you through the process with skill, experience and compassion, then Crosby Law Firm is the best direction for you. We offer legal guidance and expertise in getting green cards, work visas, family-based green cards, employee-based immigration, and more. What Makes me Eligible for a Green Card? There are many different types of green cards depending on how you want to apply. Different types of green cards include: green cards through family, employment, as a special immigrant, through refugee or asylum status, for human trafficking and crime victims, for victims of abuse, or several other various categories. Our lawyers will help you and determine if you belong to one of these groups and how to apply. What’s a Work Visa? A work visa allows an individual to legally and temporarily reside in the US for work-related matters....

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Does Inheritance Affect Social Security Disability Benefits?

When a loved one passes away, the effects that ripple outward through their social circle can be felt in many complex ways. Death is often accompanied by remembering...

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How Do I Know It’s Time to File for Bankruptcy?

Sometimes, a person’s tight financial circumstances can be addressed with budgeting, getting a new job, or working out a payment plan. When these options are no longer viable, the weight of debt is too extreme to bear, and creditors are constantly calling to harass you—it is time to consider bankruptcy as an option.  At the Crosby Law Firm, home to the best Rockford bankruptcy lawyers, we work to help our clients make the right decision on how they can handle their debt. Here are some of the factors that often weigh in on this decision.   Do you know how much you owe? Some bankruptcy candidates struggle to put a number on their debt because they have given up tracking it altogether. This is sometimes the case when a person feels overwhelmed by their debt.   Have you considered debt consolidation? Debt consolidation is an option many consider before turning to bankruptcy. There are pros and cons to both; working with the best Rockford bankruptcy lawyers can help clarify your...

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