Author Index Helen W. Gunnarsson

Proposed legislation would fix an underinsured-motorist pothole

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2005
LawPulse
, Page 62
Even seasoned lawyers representing victims of underinsured motorists should beware this trap and encourage legislators to remove it.

Salaries at not-for-profits: the IRS takes a hard look

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2005
LawPulse
, Page 62
If you advise or sit on the board of a tax-exempt organization, take note of an IRS initiative to make sure nonprofits aren't paying employees too much.

Social Security and child support

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2005
LawPulse
, Page 62
To what extent do benefits constitute income for purposes of determining a parent's child support obligation?

Thomas: Another twist in the fair-debt-collection knot

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2005
LawPulse
, Page 62
If you do any collection work, be sure to read this new case from the seventh circuit.

The ABCs of QDROs

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2005
Cover Story
, Page 18
QDROs are an increasingly painful – and important – part of practice. And ignoring them won't make the pain go away.

E-filing comes to DuPage County

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2005
LawPulse
, Page 8
Electronic filing has come to one Illinois circuit court. Can the rest be far behind?

(Not so) dastardly deeds

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2005
LawPulse
, Page 8
If you spot a mistake in a deed, don't panic. There might just be an easy fix.

Rogers: Gifts are income when calculating support owed

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2005
LawPulse
, Page 8
The Illinois Supreme Court rules that gifts to a noncustodial parent constitute income for purposes of determining his or her support obligation.

When Johnny and Jenny come marching home

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2005
LawPulse
, Page 8
Their jobs had better be awaitin' and the accompanying job rights preserved, or their employers may be guilty of violating federal law.

Ademption preemption

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2004
LawPulse
, Page 614
Remember the ademption doctrine from your Wills and Estates class? No? Read on.

All in the (nontraditional) family

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2004
LawPulse
, Page 614
The supreme court rules that a man can't vacate a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity even if DNA evidence shows he isn't the father.

Found treasure

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2004
LawPulse
, Page 614
Dividends on unclaimed stock belong to the owner, not the state, the supreme court rules.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2004
LawPulse
, Page 614
The Illinois Industrial Commission will get a new name to go with its new, more efficient approach to doing business, the chair says.

When “one appellate court” disagrees with itself

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2004
LawPulse
, Page 614
When appellate district panels disagree, which decision controls? The answer is far from certain.

DUI: the acid-reflux defense

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2004
LawPulse
, Page 562
The high court holds that defendants with acid-reflux disease can raise it as a defense if it causes them to regurgitate during breath-alcohol testing.

Filmmaker charged under eavesdropping statute

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2004
LawPulse
, Page 562
A filmmaker who taped police without their consent is charged under the Illinois Eavesdropping Statute.

Illinois’ new WARN law

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2004
LawPulse
, Page 562
There's already a federal law requiring employers to notify workers about layoffs and closing; effective January 1, there'll be a state law to go with it.

No credit for child-support overpayment

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2004
LawPulse
, Page 562
The bottom line for obligors – pay what you owe and not a penny more, and keep track of what you pay.

Should Lawyers Use E-mail to Communicate with Clients?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2004
Article
, Page 572
While some lawyers are nervous about exchanging unencrypted e-mail with clients, others say just do it.

What limits on lawyer–notaries?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2004
LawPulse
, Page 562
Can lawyers notarize their clients' signatures on wills, POAs and the like? Some say "no," most say "yes."

The Challenge of Representing Mentally Impaired Clients

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2004
Cover Story
, Page 518
You think your client's judgment might be impaired – must you do what he asks? Can you talk to the family? A look at governing law.

Clients not liable for lawyers’ intentional torts

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2004
LawPulse
, Page 508
The Illinois Supreme Court holds that clients are not liable for lawyers' intentional torts unless they authorized, directed, or ratified the lawyers' conduct.

Higher standard for challenging special use permits applies prospectively, court says

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2004
LawPulse
, Page 508
A second district case says the higher due process requirements do not apply retroactively.

A new, higher limit for small-estate affidavits

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2004
LawPulse
, Page 508
The ceiling for small estate affidavits has doubled from $50,000 to $100,000. But will it make the well-meaning people who serve as affiants more attractive targets for lawsuits?

When is “special service” good enough?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2004
LawPulse
, Page 508
How hard must you try to accomplish personal service before you can resort to service by publication? A recent first district case tackles the question.

Will Blakely create sentencing chaos?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2004
LawPulse
, Page 508
Federal and many state courts are holding off on sentencing hearings in the wake of Blakely, but the case will have limited impact on Illinois state courts. Find out why.

Can cities cap med-mal damage awards?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2004
LawPulse
, Page 450
Does home rule authority really empower cities to regulate medical malpractice litigation? Not likely, observers say.

Family limited partnerships get the green light

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2004
LawPulse
, Page 450
This important tax-planning device for farmers and business owners gets a boost from a federal appellate court.

Grandparent visitation, take 2

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2004
LawPulse
, Page 450
The legislature passes a new grandparent visitation law, which is designed to cure the defects of its unconstitutional predecessor.

New weapons for child-support collection

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2004
LawPulse
, Page 450
Freshly passed bills promise to make child-support collection a little easier, and maybe a little less expensive.
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