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If you've been pulled over on Lake Shore Drive or stopped at a checkpoint near the Kennedy, one question is probably on your mind: what actually happens now? The answer depends almost entirely on whether this is your first DUI, your second, or your third. Illinois law treats each one differently, and the gap between a first offense and a third offense is enormous, both in terms of jail time and what a conviction follows you around with for the rest of your life. Here's the sh

Getting pulled over on Lake Shore Drive at midnight—or anywhere else in the Chicago area—and ending up under suspicion of drunk driving is a genuinely frightening experience. The blue lights, the field sobriety tests, the breathalyzer. Even before a DUI charge is ever formally filed, Illinois law triggers an automatic, administrative consequence that can pull your driving privileges out from under you: the statutory summary suspension. It's one of the most time-sensitive issu

Being arrested for DUI in Illinois carries significant consequences, including a criminal record and loss of driving privileges. Knowing your rights, such as the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, is crucial immediately following an arrest. Understanding the implications of the chemical test decision and avoiding critical mistakes in the first 24 hours can significantly impact your case.

You've probably heard someone mention a living trust at some point—maybe a coworker, a family member, or someone in your neighborhood on the North Shore. And usually, the way people talk about them, you'd think they were the ultimate solution to every estate planning problem. In a lot of ways, they are genuinely powerful. But like anything in law, they come with trade-offs worth understanding before you decide whether one belongs in your plan. So let's be honest about the ful

When people picture estate planning, they usually just picture a will explaining where their assets will go, and that’s it. Now, that’s not false, but it’s not all there is to estate planning. Estate planning covers not just where your assets go, but also your health, protecting your family, your finances, and your privacy. Estate planning has tools to ensure that if you ever fall ill or get into an accident, your health will be handled the way you’d want it to, as well as yo

The Effect of a Will on Probate in Illinois It's a call we get all the time - "I want to make a will so that my family doesn't have to go through probate court". It's a beautiful idea and reveals a person who really cares about their family's well-being. Not everyone takes the time to concern themselves with what happens after they're gone, but if you do, it's understandable to come to the conclusion that a little estate planning can have a big effect on protecting your asse

Illinois Real Estate Attorney Avi Fagan is featured in a national article about tips for buying and selling homes. ApartmentGuide.com , owned by Rent.com, which is in turn owned by Real Estate giant Redfin, often publishes useful, relevant and timely information helpful to people across the country thinking about buying and selling homes. Author Jasica Usman interviewed real estate attorneys from all over the country for their advice to buyers and sellers about what is impo

Facing criminal charges in Illinois is a daunting experience - misdemeanor or a felony, understanding your rights and options is crucial to navigating the turbulent waters of the justice system. At the law firm of Fagan Fagan & Davis, our decades of experience in criminal defense helps guide our clients through every step of the legal process with expertise and compassion. Eight Ways your Lawyer can Help you Understand Illinois Criminal Courts 1. Know Your Rights : From the