Welcome To Vantage Group Legal Services

Foreclosure

Nobody goes into a real estate transaction expecting that their interest in the property will be foreclosed on. Unfortunately, however, this happens more often than you might think.

Being a defendant in a foreclosure action is nothing to be ashamed of. We know that this is something many people face, especially during these ever-changing and uncertain times. Don’t give up hope—you don’t have to handle this alone.

If you are facing a foreclosure action, the professionals at Vantage Group Legal Services can connect you with an experienced Chicago foreclosure defense attorney for one monthly fee. We will help you understand your options, fight for your rights, and avoid foreclosure where possible.

Loan Modification

In some cases, you might be able to avoid foreclosure through a loan modification.
A mortgage loan modification is a loss mitigation technique that can help you prevent a foreclosure from occurring.

If you are or have been experiencing difficulties keeping up with your monthly mortgage payments, you may be able to negotiate a change to the original terms of your mortgage promissory note. This might look like a reduction in your monthly payments but an increase to the total length of your loan term. While you may end up making payments for a longer period of time, ultimately, this can still be a great alternative to losing your home entirely in a foreclosure action.

A skilled foreclosure attorney can help you gather the information you will need to request a loan modification and negotiate terms that are favorable to you.
Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure

If you miss scheduled payments on your mortgage, your lender may consider foreclosing on your interest in the property. When this happens, everything can feel uncertain. Fortunately, however, there are options available that may allow you to avoid a foreclosure action.

A deed in lieu of foreclosure is one such option.

A deed in lieu is an agreement in which you turn over the deed to the property in exchange for the lender releasing you of your mortgage responsibilities. While you will no longer have any ownership interest in the property, the benefit is that you can avoid a foreclosure and many of the negative effects that come along with it.

Bankruptcy

Financial hardships can arise in many different scenarios, often when we least expect it.

When you are faced with more debt than you can handle, it can feel tempting to want to give up. Fortunately, however, filing for bankruptcy can provide a way out.

The word “bankruptcy” has a lot of negative connotations associated with it. But depending on your specific scenario, bankruptcy can actually be the right option.
If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you are not alone. In fact, in 2019, there were nearly 800,000 total bankruptcy filings.

Bankruptcy is designed to get rid of debt and give debtors a fresh start. While the process is not easy, a skilled bankruptcy attorney can help you understand your options and guide you through the process.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a process by which debtors are provided the opportunity to get rid of most of their existing debts and start over with a “clean slate.” It is also referred to as “liquidation” or “straight bankruptcy.”

Of course, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy also has its downsides. In the course of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the debtor must sell their assets and give up their property. Additionally, filing for bankruptcy will have an adverse impact on your credit.

In the long run, however, the benefits may still outweigh the drawbacks, freeing you from your debts and allowing you to have a fresh start.

Chapter 13

Another type of bankruptcy is Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It is also referred to as “reorganization” bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy differs from Chapter 7 bankruptcy in a few key respects. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, debtors sell their assets to credits to get rid of their debts in one fell swoop. Those who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, on the other hand, instead set up repayment plans to use their income to gradually pay off their debts.

It is important to note, however, that not all people qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. And even if you do qualify, there are many steps that you will need to take to complete the process.

Contact a qualified bankruptcy attorney today to discuss your case and see if Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for you.

Family Law

This is a complicated area of the law that often involves some of the most difficult issues. Family law includes divorce and separation, custody arrangements, spousal and child support, modification or enforcement of court orders, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Emotions run high in family law matters, and these legal issues can lead to life-altering changes for all parties involved.

Because of the high stakes involved in family law matters, it is crucial to have an experienced family law attorney in your corner.

Divorce

Divorce occurs when a marriage is legally terminated.

Going through a divorce can be a traumatic experience. And to make matters worse, a divorce can be a complex legal process.

Issues that are considered during a divorce include property distribution, child custody and support arrangements, and in some cases, spousal support. All of these topics must be addressed to finalize the divorce.

If you and your spouse have agreed to the issues that need to be addressed in your divorce, you may be able to file an uncontested divorce. This is typically a more cost-effective option, but it is not possible in all scenarios. When spouses cannot agree on key issues, a contested divorce is likely the only option.

Regardless of whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, the fact remains that a divorce is often emotional and messy. Vantage Group Legal Services can help connect you with qualified legal professionals and divorce attorneys to help you get through this difficult time.

Spousal Support

Sometimes referred to as alimony, spousal support is typically an issue that is hotly contested during a divorce.

Spousal support is ordered when one spouse will need financial support from the other following the divorce. The spouse seeking support must demonstrate a need for the support, and the other spouse must have the means to pay the support.

The judge in your divorce case will determine spousal support. Additionally, it is important to note that a judge has broad discretion to award spousal support.

In determining whether spousal support is appropriate and what should be awarded, the court will consider factors such as:

• The standard of living during the marriage;
• The length of the marriage;
• Each spouse’s individual income;
• Property owned by each individual spouse;
• The future earning capacity of each individual spouse; and
• The specific needs of each spouse.

Spousal support can be an important part of a divorce. Thus, it’s important to have someone in your corner who understands the law and who will fight for your interests.

Child Custody

Fighting for the custody of your child can be expensive and emotionally draining.
There are two aspects of custody to consider in Illinois: legal and physical custody.
Legal custody determines which parent makes important decisions on the child’s behalf. This includes which school he or she will attend, what religion will be supported in the home, and medical decisions. If parents have joint legal custody, they will make these decisions jointly.

Physical custody, on the other hand, determines who the child will primarily live with. If one parent has sole physical custody, the other parent will typically have regular visitation rights. Parents may also share joint physical custody.

When judges are faced with a child custody case, the court will seek to accommodate the best interest of the child. Several factors are considered in making this evaluation. An experienced child custody lawyer can help you navigate your child custody case.

Military Divorce

Divorce is a complicated process as it is. When one or both spouses are military members, it can become even more difficult.

As a general rule, parties must reside in Illinois for 90 days to meet the residency requirements to file for a divorce in the state. This also applies to active-duty military members who are stationed in Illinois for 90 days or more.

If your spouse is an active-duty member when you file for divorce, the divorce papers must be served on your spouse in person. If your divorce is uncontested, the spouse can waive the affidavit and forego receiving the papers in person.

Federal law protects members of the military from being divorced without knowing the action was filed. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act allows a military divorce in Illinois to be postponed if the spouse is on active duty. The active-duty spouse can waive these protections if he or she wants the divorce to move forward.

While a military divorce can be complicated, an attorney can help you understand the process and ensure that your divorce goes as smoothly as possible.

Personal Injury

If you have ever suffered a personal injury due to the actions of someone else, you may have a legal claim for recovery.

A personal injury claim allows you to seek monetary compensation from a party who was at fault in causing your injuries. This is often a great way for accident victims to get the compensation they need to recover in the aftermath of an accident.

Examples of damages for which you can recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit include:

• Past and future medical expenses;
• Property damage repair and replacement;
• Loss of income and earning capacity due to your injuries;
• Pain and suffering;
• Loss of companionship; and
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries at the hands of another, contact a personal injury attorney today to discuss your case and see what you can do to begin your process toward recovery.

Car Accidents

A car accident can turn your world upside down.

In the aftermath of a car accident, victims are often faced with personal injuries, property damage, financial hardships, and emotional trauma. So what can you do after a car accident to address these complicated issues?

A personal injury lawsuit can provide you with a way to get the compensation you need and deserve after your car accident. Though it can feel stressful to take this on, you don’t have to handle this on your own.

If you have sustained injuries in a car accident, a personal injury attorney can help you fight for your rights and work toward recovery. At Vantage Group Legal Services, we can connect you with an experienced car accident attorney to get you the best legal representation for your case.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are some of the most devastating personal injury accidents that can occur.

The size and weight of commercial trucks coupled with the speed at which they travel can lead to severe consequences in the aftermath of an accident. For this reason, extensive regulations exist to better protect both truck drivers and other drivers on the road.

Unfortunately, however, truck drivers don’t always follow these regulations.
Some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents include:

• Improper cargo loading,
• Poor truck maintenance,
• Poor training,
• Driver fatigue, and
• Speeding.

If you sustain injuries in a truck accident due to any of the above, you may have a legal claim against the truck driver, the trucking company, or both.

An attorney can help you assess your potential claims and determine your best pathway toward recovery.

Motorcycle Accidents

Many people love the simultaneous thrill and sense of calm that comes with riding a motorcycle. However, the fact remains that motorcycles are some of the most dangerous modes of transportation that exist.

In fact, in 2017, motorcyclists were 27 times more likely to die in an accident than passenger cars per vehicle mile traveled. Despite increases in motorcycle safety and a rise in helmet use by riders, there is never any way to prevent involvement in a motorcycle accident with any certainty.

Due to the size of motorcycles compared to passenger vehicles and trucks, they can be less visible to other vehicles and more susceptible to being hit. Further, motorcycles are less stable than vehicles with more than 2 wheels.

If you are a motorcyclist who has sustained injuries in an accident, contact an attorney today to see how you can recover.

Slip and Fall

One of the most common types of personal injury accidents is the “slip-and-fall” case.
You may have heard of slip-and-fall accidents before but never given them much thought. Surprisingly, however, slip-and-fall accidents can result in significant injuries and potentially complicated legal proceedings.

A slip-and-fall accident can lead to many complications, including:

• Extensive physical injuries,
• Medical expenses,
• Time away from work as you recover,
• Lost earning capacity, and
• Emotional trauma.

Dealing with these issues can be stressful and overwhelming. But all of them are damages for which you may be able to receive compensation.

If you want to know more about how to recover in the aftermath of your slip-and-fall accident, a personal injury attorney can help.

Vantage Group Legal Services can connect you with a competent personal injury attorney to get you the compensation you need to recover.

Immigration

Immigrants are essential to what makes America “America.” Unfortunately, however, countless immigrants live in fear each day of what will become of their future.

If you or a loved one is facing immigration challenges, we want to help.

At Vantage Group Legal Services, we will connect you with the best possible legal representation to help you fight for your rights and maintain your legal status in the United States. Examples of services our network immigration attorneys can assist with include:

• Navigating the immigration process;
• Renewing DACA status; and
• Applying for and obtaining visas and citizenship.

We know how important these issues are to you and your family, and we will do everything in our power to advocate for your rights and get you the help you need.

Civil Litigation

The concept of civil litigation can seem intimidating if you are unfamiliar with how the process works. Sometimes, however, you just can’t avoid involvement in a civil lawsuit. So what do you do if you are considering bringing a lawsuit against someone else or if you are haled into court by another party?

You can always handle a lawsuit on your own, but why do so if you don’t have to?
The civil litigation process can be lengthy and complex, regardless of whether you are the plaintiff or defendant. A civil litigation attorney who handles lawsuits for a living can be a great asset to you and your case.

An experienced litigator can help you:

• Analyze your case,
• Draft and file court paperwork,
• Negotiate with opposing parties, and
• Prepare for and take your case to trial if and when it becomes necessary.

If you are in need of a Chicago civil litigation attorney, look no further. Contact Vantage Group Legal Services for a free consultation to discuss our services and get connected with a seasoned civil litigator in our attorney network.