Success Stories
$9,000,000.00 Estate Administration Settlement
We represented a surviving spouse who was scheduled to receive basically an income interest from her predeceased husband’s fortune while the husband’s substantial corporus was to be given to his distant relatives. After contested proceedings involving numerous parties and law firms in Illinois and Missouri the surviving spouse ended up with an estate in excess of $9,000,000.00 which she was then able to leave as she wished, to her side of the family and friends, including on a tax-free basis since she passed away in 2010, at time when there was no estate tax. If the surviving spouse had not contested matters timely, and if appropriate and aggressive action had not been taken immediately, she would have had relatively little to leave to her side of the family and friends upon her death.
$1,000,000.00 Recovery for Colorado Resident
We recovered in excess of $1,000,000.00 for a Colorado resident whose father passed away in Southern Illinois and whose trust was being managed by basically a rogue trustee. The trustee had prematurely helped themself to excessive trustee’s fees not to mention attempting to have the beneficiaries agree to take out unnecessary life insurance thereby resulting in additional profits to the trustee, who sold life insurance. Instead of our client receiving a lifetime monthly benefit of about $500.00 per month after lawsuits were filed, a settlement was reached whereby the trust was dissolved and our client walked away with an excess of $1,000,000.00 recovery.
Over $200,000.00 Recovered for Sisters
We represented sisters from South Carolina and New York in regard to a case involving their deceased mother, before she passed away, but at a time when her brother had power of attorney, unknowingly conveyed the family farm to her brother thereby depriving our clients in their share of the family farm upon the death of their mother pursuant to the estate plan of their mother.
$5,000,000.00 Missing from Estate
We represented a surviving spouse who had married a wealthy widower. Although a prenuptial agreement was entered into prior to the marriage, the widower made several changes to the estate planning documents benefitting his new wife and her children. There were also transfers of substantial assets from the husband to wife, many occurring within less than a year from the date of death of the widower. When the husband passed away, beneficiaries identified in his estate planning documents claimed there was in excess of over $5,000,000.00 missing in regard to which they were entitled to a substantial share. Issues were raised regarding fraud, undue influence, lack of mental capacity, duress and tortious interference with an expectancy. Our client prevailed and the complaining beneficiaries did not receive a favorable decision from the Court.
$75,000 Unpaid Child Support Recovery
Our client had been married to an Anheuser Busch executive. There was a clause in the divorce settlement agreement that provided that our client was to receive child support with an additional bonus or override based on increases in income of her highly paid former spouse. Unknown and undisclosed to our client, her former spouse received substantial stock options after the divorce. Counsel for the former spouse claimed that the stock options were not income and therefore were not subject to the override or bonus for additional child support. We conducted discovery. We obtained copies of tax returns. The tax returns of the former spouse proved that he had considered same as income since they were identified as such on his tax returns. We recovered in excess of $75,000 for our client, possibly one of the largest back child support recoveries for an Edwardsville, Illinois law firm.
$585,000.00 Recovered in Divorce Case
We represented a wife in a dissolution of marriage proceeding. Her husband was a successful business person in Southern Illinois, including in the agricultural and seed business. Tragic had struck our clients on many occasions before the divorce including losing three children in three separate accidents. Our client was not thinking straight. Her husband’s attorneys were attempting to coerce her into a meager settlement and divorce resolution, not in her best interests, but solely in the best interests of her husband because he had contacts with the right people. Once we agreed to become involved, we immediately disassociated ourselves from the settlement discussions that had transpired. After discovery, and after the intense settlement negotiations, our client received in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the marital estate, including because our client could not count on meaningful job opportunities in the future, and because her husband had a favorable financial future.
Wife Receives in excess of $3,000,000.00 in Divorce Case
We were involved in a divorce case where the wife received in excess of $3,000,000.00. The parties had been married for a number of years and the husband had extramarital affairs with several women. His wife had enough of it. The Judge took the position that the husband basically manipulated information and testimony in his best interests and that he lacked credibility. The wife could have settled for less. However, by proceeding with the matter through trial, the wife ended up with a substantially better result that had been offered by the husband.
Over $375,000.00 saved – Resolution Reached with the Internal Revenue Service
We were hired by a client who had previously paid in excess of $20,000.00 to a national tax representation firm that advertised on the media throughout the United States. Nothing had been accomplished that benefitted the client. After we took over, we immediately began communicating with the Internal Revenue Service, worked out a resolution, saved our client hundreds of thousands of dollars, kept our client in business and our client was grateful for the results obtained. We had recommended to our client that a new accountant be retained and we made a referral to a local accountant and tax return preparer. We filed suit against the national tax firm to recover substantial amounts on behalf of our client. We isolated the old corporation and then created a new limited liability company, to basically continue with the customers in regard to future work. This strategy saved our client in excess of $400,000.00. There was no criminal prosecution. We worked closely with our client for a period of time which included frequent office conferences, correspondence and telephone calls. At each step of the way our client was in contact with us regarding issues and concerns. We used a team approach which, in this case, meant that since more than one attorney was working on the file, someone was always available to respond to the concerns of the client and/or handle communications with the Internal Revenue Service. We treated the Internal Revenue Service with respect and responded to all telephone calls and inquiries. We explained to our client that the Internal Revenue Service has a job to do which is basically follow the law.
Over $425,000.00 Recovered from Phony Heir and Disqualified Administrator
We were hired by clients from the Centralia and Salem areas of Marion County in regard to a disputed estate. There was a person, who had retained counsel, that was claiming that he was the only heir that should receive anything from an estate in excess of $400,000. Not only that, the same person was serving as Administrator and neither he nor his attorney advised the Court that because of an adoption decades ago he was no longer an heir, was not entitled to serve as administrator and was not entitled to any proceeds from the estate. After Court proceedings and various pleadings were filed he was removed from office and his attorney discharged. If our clients had not hired counsel they would have been none the wiser and would have lost everything and no one would have known what occurred, except possibly the person was administering the estate that turned out not to be an heir and/or his attorney. With the tax-free recoveries received by our clients, they were able to pay off debts, take care of education expenses for their children and had savings for their retirement.
Dispute Involving $480,000.00 of Farmland
We prepared an estate plan for an elderly farming couple who wished to favor a child who had remained at and worked for the farm while the other children moved and/or had different careers. From a financial standpoint, some of the other children were not in agreement with the testamentary wishes of the parents. The parents were of sound and disposing mind and memory and knew what they were doing. We explained to all that even though the parents wished to favor a certain child that was their decision.
$150,000.00 Family Farm Saved
A client contacted us for his mother who had not paid real estate tax bills in regard to the family farm for many years. It was unintentional and the elderly mother had some medical issues. After filing suit, we were able to work out a settlement that restored the family farm, worth in excess of $150,000.00 to the family.
$300,000.00 Recovered for Beneficiary to Trust
We represented an out-of-state client in regard to a trust contest in St. Clair County, Illinois. After a period of litigation, including our law firm filing a motion for summary judgment claiming that there were no issues of material fact and that our client was entitled to distribution, an Order was entered by the Court and we recovered in excess of $300,000.00 for our client. Our client was ecstatic!
$580,000.00 Traffic Accident Settlement
We represented clients who recovered an excess of $580,000.00 in regard to a traffic accident. A pizza delivery business was negligent in basically forcing its drivers to hustle from store to store. There was an accident and our clients, a mother and daughter, sustained serious injuries. Without a trial, we were able to negotiate a settlement for over $580,000.00 and the expectations of our clients were succeeded.
$200,000.00 Saved from Filing an Appeal to U.S. Tax Court
We were hired by a client from Boca Raton, Florida who had a tax issue with a St. Louis tax attorney who withdrew from the case. We took over and worked out a resolution with the Internal Revenue Service whereby our client saved in excess of $200,000.00.
$80,000.00 Transfer Set Aside, Breach of Fiduciary Duties, Contested Guardianship Proceedings
We were involved in a case where an elderly person transferred $80,000.00 to his long-time friends. He had previously transferred a farm to a tenant farmer. He did not have a wife and he had no children. The recipients of the basically $80,000.00 transfer were considered by him to be his children, even though they were not blood relatives.
$500,000.00 Estate Dispute, Person Claiming to be Heir was Denied Recovery
We were contacted by a group of relatives that hired us in regard to investigating the administration of an estate. It turned out that the person in charge, acting as Administrator, was not a beneficiary or an heir, including because he had lost rights to inherit by virtue of an adoption that occurred decades before the death of the decedent, and he should have been serving as Administrator. After this was discovered, the Court discharged the Administrator and one of our clients was placed in charge of the estate and our clients received an inheritance in excess of $500,000.00.
Contested Will and Trust Issues in St. Clair County, Illinois, Breach of Fiduciary Duties, “AV” Rated Will and Trust Law Firm
We were recently involved in litigation in St. Clair County, Illinois as contested will and trust attorneys. An elderly gentleman had gifted a farm he owned to a relative. The elderly person had no wife or children. He then attempted to gift $80,000.00 in bank accounts to individuals who he basically raised as his own daughters although he was not related to them. His heirs and beneficiaries objected to the lifetime gifts including because that would decrease his estate upon his death thereby decreasing amounts that would otherwise be received by his heirs and beneficiaries.
Representation Before Internal Revenue Service and/or Illinois Department of Revenue, Belleville, Illinois Tax Attorneys, Wage Garnishment, Levy, Foreclosure – “AV” Rated Law Firm
There has been a surge in activity in regard to clients contacting us for representation before the Internal Revenue Service and/or Illinois Department of Revenue. From our perspective, with the poor economy, some people and/or businesses have chosen not to file tax returns, even though the same may have drastic implications in regard to criminal and civil tax laws. Many of our clients from the Southern Illinois and Central Illinois Regions contact us through referrals. Others have first tried national debt relief companies that advertise heavily through the media, only to find out they may have wasted their money and have not received timely attention and matters have not been resolved as they were lead to believe. If we accept a case for representation, we meet with our clients frequently, make sure they understand what is occurring, keep them advised of all developments and listen to their concerns. Belleville Tax Attorneys, St. Clair County Tax Law Firm, Internal Revenue Service Audits in Southern Illinois.
Second Opinions in Illinois Divorce Cases, Substitution of Counsel and Taking Over Representation in Cases, Belleville, Illinois Divorce Attorneys, “AV” Rated Law Firm.
On a frequent basis we are contacted by individuals going through a divorce for a second opinion and/or consultation because they have a feeling that matters are not proceeding as they should or else their present attorneys are not meeting client expectations. We do not automatically agree to provide new representation. Rather, each client is unique and whether or not we take over representation depends upon a variety of factors. When we are requested to take over representation by a client, we normally substitute counsel, handle all contacts with the previous law firm, review the Court file, and make recommendations to the client moving forward in regard to strategies, pleadings that may need to be filed or amended, hearings that may need to be set, and whatever else it takes to make sure that the voice of our client is heard and the interests of our client are vigorously pursued. Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Family Law Attorney, Belleville Child Custody Attorney. Some of the contacts are from our military clients stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
$585,000.00 Recovered in Divorce Case on Behalf of Wife from Husband, Preeminent Alton, Illinois Divorce Attorney, “AV” Rated Law Firm
We represented a wife in a dissolution of marriage proceeding. Her husband was a successful business person in Southern Illinois, including in the agricultural and seed business. Tragic had struck our client on many occasions before the divorce, including losing three children in three separate accidents. Our client was not thinking straight. Her husband’s attorneys were attempting to coerce her into a meager settlement and divorce resolution, not in her best interests, but solely in the best interests of her husband. Once we agreed to become involved, we immediately disassociated ourselves from the settlement discussions that had transpired and started the case fresh. After discovery, and after intense settlement negotiations for a period of time, our client received in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the marital estate, including because our client could not count on meaningful job opportunities in the future, and because her husband had a favorable financial future.
Estate Plan For A Blind Person, Rejection of Requests for a Quit Claim Deed, St. Clair County, Illinois Elder Abuse Attorneys
We were hired by a client who was blind in regard to an estate plan. In addition to a Will, the client wished to Quit Claim her residence to an unrelated adult male, who had basically been a caretaker for about four (4) years and his friend, who our client had only known for a period of months. Our client wished to Quit Claim her long-time personal residence to herself and the other two (2) adult males, because she thought the unrelated adult males would take care of her the rest of her life. We did not agree and refused to proceed with the deed. After careful examination and after meeting with our client for about six (6) times, we were able to successfully negotiate the preparation and execution of a Last Will and Testament, which could be changed by our client at a later date. We explained to our client that the Quit Claim Deed that she requested could not be changed at a later date, and that was the basis for our refusal to proceed.
Belleville Workers’ Compensation Attorney, “AV” Rated Law Firm, Personal Injuries and Death Cases, St. Clair County, Illinois
We are frequently contacted by clients with regard to workers’ compensation, personal injury, and wrongful death cases. We give these matters priority and work with our clients to obtain the best possible results.
Representation of Regions Bank as Trustee, Successful Litigation in Marion County, Illinois, Trust Dispute, “AV” Rated Trust-Will Contest Attorneys
Based on our reputation and track record in this area, we were hired by Regions Bank with regard to a trust dispute in Salem, Illinois. An elderly beneficiary had been duped into requesting an individual to take over the management and handling her trust, which was worth more than a million dollars. We were able to show that the attorney who represented the beneficiary had not given proper notice to change trustees. In our dealings with the presiding Judge, the Court basically indicated that it was not going to remove Regions Bank and place an individual in charge of a trust account worth more than a million dollars. Everything Regions Bank had done was consistent with the law and in the best interests of the beneficiary.
$75,000 Unpaid Child Support Recovery, Executive At Anheuser Busch, Stock Options, Belleville, Illinois, Child Support Attorneys
Our client had been married to an Anheuser Busch executive. There was a clause in the divorce settlement agreement that provided that our client was to receive child support with an additional bonus or override based on increases in income of her highly paid former spouse. Unknown and undisclosed to our client, her former spouse received substantial stock options after the divorce. Counsel for the former spouse claimed that the stock options were not income and therefore were not subject to the override or bonus for additional child support. We conducted discovery. We obtained copies of tax returns. The tax returns of the former spouse proved that he had considered the same as income since they were identified as such on his tax returns. We recovered in excess of $75,000 for our client, possibly one of the largest back child support recoveries for a Edwardsville Illinois law firm.
Franchise Operation, Formation of Entity, Belleville, Illinois Business Attorneys – “AV” Rated Law Firm
We were recently hired by a client who purchased a franchise business that was very successful in St. Clair County, Illinois. There were negotiations with the parties, accountants and tax aspects were taken into consideration. We also dealt with issues in regard to state and local regulation and licensing. We also included appropriate language not to compete for the protection of our client.
Belleville, Illinois Tax Lawyers – Taxpayers had not filed tax returns for more than twenty-five (25) years – “AV” Rated Law Firm in Southern Illinois
We were recently hired by a taxpayer who failed to file tax returns, and pay income taxes, for more than twenty-five (25) years. The Internal Revenue Service had commenced activities involving third party document requests in regard to individuals and entities with whom our client transacted business. There were claims made that our client had engaged in activities that violated tax laws including transferring assets in an attempt to avoid paying taxes.
Modification of Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage and Amendment to Marital Settlement Agreement – St. Clair County, Illinois Divorce Attorneys
A client hired us because he and his former spouse were not satisfied with their previous divorce law firms. In reviewing documentation received from our client, including the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, Marital Settlement Agreement and Joint Parenting Agreement, we learned that there was a debt that was omitted from consideration when the parties worked out a settlement with their previous law firms. The debt not addressed was a home equity line of credit. After the divorce, the wife remarried, and unknown to her former spouse, the ex-wife and her new husband secretly used the line of credit thereby exposing her former husband to substantial additional debt. A settlement was proposed whereby the ex-wife and her new husband would agree to indemnify and hold harmless her former spouse with respect to the home equity line of credit that was secretly used and increased after the divorce.
St. Clair County, Illinois Lawsuit – Illegal Download of Adult Videos – Blake Behme Law Group, P.C. Files Motion to Quash
An individual was contacted by his internet provider regarding the illegal download of adult videos. The internet provider indicated that the individual’s IP address had been identified in a lawsuit filed in St. Clair County, Illinois and the internet provider was subpoenaed to turn over the individual’s identity. We filed a Motion to Quash the subpoena and have argued the adult entertainment corporation has inadequately alleged conspiracy in their Complaint.
Representation of Chiropractor – Internal Revenue Service, Illinois Department of Revenue and Illinois Department of Employment Security – Belleville, Illinois “AV” Rated Tax Law Firm
We were recently hired by a chiropractor engaged in practice in Southern Illinois in regard to a variety of tax issues. There were a multitude of federal and state tax returns that had not been filed, individual and corporate and seizure was being contemplated by the Internal Revenue Service. Prior to hiring our law firm, the chiropractor had misplaced his trust in a national so-called tax relief entity which advertised heavily in the media and directly solicited new clients by tracking tax liens and other recordings made of record. Once we obtained Power of Attorney’s from our client, we immediately made contact with the Internal Revenue Service and worked out a strategy in regard to bringing our client in compliance with respect to unfiled tax returns considering abatement of interest and/or penalties, working with our client in regard to a repayment plan and otherwise allowing our client to remain in business and continue with the chiropractic practice.
Physician’s Affidavit Did Not Pass the “Smell Test” – Belleville, Illinois Guardianship Attorneys – “AV” Rated Illinois Law Firm
We were contacted for representation by a nephew of an elderly woman whose husband was having an affair and the husband was seeking guardianship over his wife and her assets because of her dementia and for other reasons. Opposing counsel filed with the Court a Physician’s Affidavit purporting to indicate that a guardianship of the Estate and Person of our client, the wife, was appropriate. After pursuing discovery, including subpoenaing the physician’s file, it turned out that we were able to show the Physician’s Affidavit was phoney and that it was not based on an examination of the patient. Rather, the attorney who procured the Physician’s Affidavit sent that doctor an Affidavit that the attorney had used in a different case and a blank form Affidavit to complete. A clerk in the physician’s office basically wrote on the blank form information that had been used regarding a different patient from a different examination. After that, the case settled and we achieved a fantastic result for our client.
Internal Revenue Service – “Responsible Person” Who donated Time to Church Organization – E. St. Louis, Illinois
We represented a person who had volunteered her services at a church she belonged to in St. Clair County, Illinois. In particular, our client assisted in the bookkeeping, including writing checks as she was directed by the Pastor of the Church. Our client was not paid for her services – it was strictly voluntary. Unknown to her, there were substantial taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service in regard to withholding. This information was not available to our client since it was handled by the church’s administrative offices in a different state. Since taxes were not withheld that should have been, our client was identified as one of the responsible persons that should have individual liability for not withholding and paying trust fund amounts to the Internal Revenue Service.
Child Custody Dispute in Chester, Illinois – Removal from Illinois to Pennsylvania – “AV” Rated Law Firm
We were involved in a child custody battle in Randolph County, Illinois Circuit Court relating to removal of a child from Illinois to Pennsylvania. Argument was made that the removal was appropriate, including because it was in the best interests of the minor child. The school and future education opportunities would be better in the area in Pennsylvania to which the child was sought to be taken compared to the school and educational opportunities in the area in Illinois where the child lived. The natural mother was engaged and her prospective husband had an excellent job and career in the State of Pennsylvania and the natural mother was from the State of Pennsylvania and wished to move back to the area where she was raised including because she had a family support system and many relatives that still lived there. The Court weighed the equities including taking into consideration protecting the father’s rights.
Partnership Lawsuit in St. Clair County, Illinois – Client Lost Over $100,000
We were retained by a client who was in partnership with another. The allegation was that the partner, unknown to our client, basically worked out a deal with the landlord which resulted in the landlord terminating lease, to the detriment of our client. Our client claims there were substantial losses in regard to amounts invested in regard to the partnership, not to mention lost profits from the business venture.
Action Against Jackson County, Illinois Certified Public Accountant – Damages in Excess of $50,000
We were contacted by a Jackson County, Illinois resident who claimed that there was professional negligence in regard to the handling of business taxes. The claim of our clients was that the Certified Public Accountant had not performed the work for which he had been hired and, as a result, our client incurred substantial damages.
Rights of Tenant Farmer – Over $12,000.00 in Fertilizer Almost Lost
We were contacted by a tenant farmer who farmed for about a dozen owners. Given the economy, commodity prices and other factors, the landlord wished to increase to case rent paid by our client. Our client believed that the landlord had already tentatively worked out an arrangement with an undisclosed new tenant farmer. We researched the matter and determined that there was no written lease but there was an oral agreement that had been in effect for years. We took the position that the written notice of termination was improper and did not comply with the appropriate statute. Pursuant to discussions with our client, we filed an Complaint for Declaratory Judgement in St. Clair County Circuit Court, claiming that our client should be allowed to continue to farm the property, including so as not to lose in excess of $12,000.00 in fertilizer already in the field.
Representation Regarding Mineral Interests in Southern Illinois – “AV” Rated Law Firm
As a result of a variety of factors, we have seen an increase in activity involving mineral interests in Southern Illinois, including in regard to leases and options to lease, especially with respect to coal and natural gas. We have been contacted for representation by clients throughout the United States and Canada who have a financial stake in regard to mineral interests in the Southern Illinois Region.
Mortgage Foreclosure Defense- Loan Modification – Preeminent Law Firm
We have been hired by various clients, individuals and businesses, to provide representation in regard to mortgage foreclosure defense, loan modification and almost everything imaginable from pre-default planning to regaining possession of real estate after it has been sold pursuant to the foreclosure process.
We have noticed these clients may have previously been solicited because third parties may have thought they were financially vulnerable. In some situations, our clients had paid thousands of dollars to out-of-state so-called “experts” and basically received nothing in exchange.
We have also been involved in representing clients that, after they had been foreclosed on and served with process the lender or its agents told them not worry, that matters could be worked out and that there was no need for them to hire an attorney in the foreclosure proceeding.
In almost every instance we have seen, if our clients had hired counsel sooner they would have saved money and could have obtained a better result.
United States Air Force (Retired) – Mortgage Foreclosure Case – Client Avoids Deficiency Judgment for $80,000.00
An officer retired from the United States Air Force, previously stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, hired us for representation in a mortgage foreclosure proceeding in St. Clair County Circuit Court. Since his retirement from the military, he had moved to the State of Alaska. He received a luxury home in a divorce proceeding in Belleville, Illinois and it was his responsibility to make mortgage payments, pay taxes and insurance. He wasn’t able to afford the payments for the home in St. Clair County and still make payments for his new home in Alaska. He was in default and had been served before he hired our law firm for representation. We were seeking a disposition whereby a deficiency judgment would not be pursued against him by the lender. We secured the agreement of the lender not to pursue a deficiency judgment. However, the lender would not reduce same to writing and we did not wish to rely upon the word of the lender that the deficiency judgment would not be pursued in the future. As a result, the matter was litigated in St. Clair County Circuit Court and a formal settlement agreement was entered into, whereby the lender reduced to writing that a deficiency judgment would not be pursued and that document was made of record and the client now has an enforceable settlement agreement in the event the lender, or its successors or assigns reconsiders, and/or attempts to pursue the collection of any deficiency in the future.
Dispute over $12,000,000.00 Trust Estate
We represented an elderly female who had never married and never had any children. She resided with a distant relative, who was a widow, and who had a trust estate in excess of $12,000,000.00. Disputes arose among our client and the distant relative with whom our client had resided for decades. Our client was accused of elderly abuse and, before our law firm became involved, an Order was entered after a Court proceeding directing our client to stay away from the residence. We were able to work out a resolution whereby security cameras were installed at the residence and our client was able to return to her home. Upon the death of the elderly relative, our client received a lifetime income interest in a $12,000,000.00 estate. Our client was not disinherited by her elderly relative.
$6,000,000.00 Missing from Estate
We represented a surviving spouse who had married a wealthy widower. Although a prenuptial agreement was entered into prior to the marriage, the widower made several changes to the estate planning documents benefitting his new wife and her children. There were also transfers of substantial assets from the husband to wife, many occurring within less than a year from the date of death of the widower. When the husband passed away, beneficiaries identified in his estate planning documents claimed there was in excess of $6,000,000.00 missing in regard to which they were entitled to a substantial share. Issues were raised regarding fraud, undue influence, lack of mental capacity, duress and tortious interference with an expectancy. Our client prevailed and the complaining beneficiaries did not receive a favorable decision from the Court.
Wife Receives in excess of $3,000,000.00 in Divorce Case
We were involved in a divorce case where the wife received in excess of $3,000,000.00. The parties had been married for a number of years and the husband had extramarital affairs with several women. His wife had enough of it. The Judge took the position that the husband basically manipulated information and testimony in his best interests and that he lacked credibility. The wife could have settled for less. However, by proceeding with the matter through trial, the wife ended up with a substantially better result that had been offered by the husband.
Over $400,000.00 saved – resolution reached with the Internal Revenue Service
We were hired by a client who had previously paid in excess of $20,000.00 to a national tax representation firm that advertised on the media throughout the United States. Nothing had been accomplished that benefitted the client. After we took over, we immediately began communicating with the Internal Revenue Service, worked out a resolution, saved our client hundreds of thousands of dollars, kept our client in business and our client was grateful for the results obtained. We had recommended to our client that a new accountant be retained and we made a referral to a local accountant and tax return preparer. We filed suit against the national tax firm to recover substantial amounts on behalf of our client. We isolated the old corporation and then created a new limited liability company, to basically continue with the customers in regard to future work. This strategy saved our client in excess of $400,000.00. There was no criminal prosecution. We worked closely with our client for a period of time which included frequent office conferences, correspondence and telephone calls. At each step of the way our client was in contact with us regarding issues and concerns. We used a team approach which, in this case, meant that since more than one attorney was working on the file, someone was always available to respond to the concerns of the client and/or handle communications with the Internal Revenue Service. We treated the Internal Revenue Service with respect and responded to all telephone calls and inquiries. We explained to our client that the Internal Revenue Service has a job to do which is basically follow the law.
85 Tax Returns Not Filed by Client – Internal Revenue Service/Illinois Department of Revenue
We were hired by an insurance agent in Southern Illinois after he had been arrested and charged by the Illinois Department of Revenue with criminal tax violations. He was a pillar of the community, held in high esteem with his church, a good family man with a great wife and children and a successful business person. Even though he had sufficient funds to pay taxes, he intentionally failed to file more than 85 (eighty-five) tax returns over an extended period of time, personal and corporate, with the Internal Revenue Service and the Illinois Department of Revenue. A resolution was reached that involved no incarceration and there was no adverse publicity. Except for the above, he had never been in trouble with the law before, did not have a criminal record and was one of the least likely individuals one would ever expect that would have been involved in such inexplicable conduct for decades.
We represented the wife of a member of the United States Air Force stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois in a contested divorce proceeding that resulted in our client being awarded custody of the children, substantial child support and an award of substantial attorneys fees and costs for our client.
We represented a former supervisor retired from the Internal Revenue Service in an Offer in Compromise with the Internal Revenue Service which saved the taxpayer in excess of $350,000.00. This compromise resulted in savings of taxes, penalties and interest and allowed the taxpayer to continue with his business operations.
We represented an eighty-five (85) year old widow who received in excess of $12,000,000.00 in an estate and trust litigation case. Her deceased husband had basically attempted to disinherit her even though the couple had been married and worked together in the family business for over sixty (60) years.
We were involved in a case where the Court allowed removal of a child to another state. It was shown that removal was in the best interests of the child given all facts and circumstances, including changes in the family, an improved educational setting, more financial support for the child and better career opportunities for the parent seeking removal. We represented the natural mother in a child custody case that received media attention. Unknown to our client, her former boyfriend had beat her infant child requiring life-saving surgery. We were able to work out a resolution which allowed for increased visitation by our client.
We represented a group of relatives in a contested trust case that resulted in a recovery in excess of $850,000.00 for our clients. Unknown to them because they lived out of the area, a series of changes had been made to the estate planning documents of their elderly relative. We represented a retired military officer that was stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, in a mortgage foreclosure proceeding and, through various pleadings filed and action taken on behalf of the client, we were able to work out a resolution whereby there was no deficiency judgment pursued by the lender, which saved the client in excess of $70,000.00. We represented a client in a contested trust case that resulted in a recovery for our client in excess of $325,000.00. There were issues as to whether or not our client was entitled to any recovery under the estate planning documents of the decedent and whether or not any inheritance had to be shared with others.
We represented a beneficiary regarding the removal of a trustee that was breaching his fiduciary duties and profiting at the expense of the trust and the beneficiaries. The trustee was removed by the Court and required to return sums to the trust estate.
We represented out-of-state sisters who, after their mother had passed away, learned that an interest in the family farm and been deeded by their mother to their brother without their knowledge. After suit was filed, a resolution was reached and our clients received in excess of $250,000.00. We were able to show the actions of their elderly mother were inconsistent with her estate plan and the estate plan of her deceased husband.
We represented a regional trust company that was advised by a long-time client that their services were terminated. We were able to show duress and/or undue influence by a third party and an Order was entered by the Court that basically agreed with our position and allowed the trust company to continue to serve its elderly client.
We represented an elderly blind widow who did not pay a real estate tax bill in the amount of $38.00 and almost lost the family farm worth about $150,000.00. We were able to establish that improper notice was given and that the Order entered by the Court was improper and it was set aside.
We represent a husband who was earning a substantial income in a divorce proceeding where his wife was claiming she was entitled to, among other items, substantial lifetime support because she was unable to work due to her condition. Through investigation we uncovered that she was regularly work out and engaging in competitive sports on a national level. The client hired our law firm claiming his previous attorney was not doing enough, that the case was dragging out, and that he wanted to change law firms for representation. Once we discovered the wife was not portraying her situation accurately and was basically misrepresenting her ability to earn an income, we took her deposition and shortly thereafter the case settled without going to trial. We were hired by a client in regard to a used vehicle purchased from a car dealer, including for possibly violations in regard to the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Act. After review and analysis, and after a demand was made on the car dealer, the car dealer agreed to perform repairs for less than 50% of what our client had been quoted prior to hiring our law firm for representation.
We were hired by an over-the-road truck driver in regard to a used tractor trailer he purchased from a internationally known manufacturer. The vehicle was purchased used but still at a substantial cost. After purchasing the tractor trailer, our client experienced problems with the engine. The same dealership that sold the vehicle to our client quoted our client a price of in excess of $26,000 for a new engine and/or repair. Without having to file a lawsuit, after a period of time regarding negotiations, a settlement was reached and our client received what he bargained for without having to purchase the new engine.
We represented a client who thought he was the father of a child but was unsure. After hiring us, as part of our representation, we recommended paternity tests. Even though our client was certain he was the father and that blood tests were not necessary, the blood tests were conducted and it turned out our client was not the natural father. Our client was immediately relieved of a $16,000 back child support award that had been pending against him and the case was concluded.
A physician was referred to us in regard to a medical practice that was dissolved. Despite agreements, the books were not in order and accountings had not been made to our client. After our client had been sued by his former partner, attempting to keep our client from contacting patients that wish to remain with him and utilize his medical services, we reached a settlement that would allow our client to proceed with his new practice and receive his fair share of value from the medical practice he engaged in with his former partner. We were hired by an mother in regard to her teenage daughter having a baby. The teenage daughter, and the natural father of the baby, had already signed adoption documents, including because they had been promised a relationship with the baby would be maintained even after the adoption and after they were basically recruited by the prospective adoptive parents. After our client had realized she had made a mistake and even though she was still a teenager, the parties seeking to adopt her child and their attorney refused to set aside the adoption documents. After Court proceedings, a satisfactory result was reached that protected the parental rights of our client.
We represented a person who had been wrongfully discharged from her position as a civil service employee at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. After investigation, including working with her superiors, a resolution was reached whereby she was returned to her employment where she had worked for over twenty (20) years, prior to being fired by a new supervisor. We represented an eighty (80) year old woman who had never married and had no children, but who had been basically a live-in domestic for a widow with an Estate of in excess of $15,000,000. There had been allegations that our client had been abusing the person with whom she had been living. Before we were hired an Order had been entered directing our client to remove herself from her long-time residence. After we became involved, security cameras were installed, our client was allowed to return to the residence and our client ended up being an income beneficiary in regard to the Estate of the Person with whom she was living, and our client received in excess of $300,000.00 per year for the rest of her life.