Fathers in McLean County often are faced with accusations that are frustrating to deal with. This recent case gives Fathers some insight as to how to combat false or misleading accusations.

In re Marriage of Agers

Illinois Appellate Court

Criminal Court

Citation

Case Number:

2013 IL App (5th) 120375

Decision Date:

July 8, 2013

District:

5th Dist.

Division/County:

Pulaski Co.

Justice:

GOLDENHERSH

Holding:

Affirmed.

http://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/AppellateCourt/2013/5thDistrict/5120375.pdf

Uncorroborated hearsay statements of five-year-old minor alone were insufficient to support a finding of abuse. Sufficient corroboration of alleged abuse or neglect requires more than just witnesses testifying that minor told them of abuse. Minor's mother failed to present sufficient evidence to show that father's visitation would seriously endanger minor. Court properly admitted videotape of minor and her father during visitation at courthouse, as court found tape relevant only for limited purpose of showing that minor did not fear her father, and to observe their interaction. Court properly denied mother's motion for in camera interview with minor, as mother could have presented minor's testimony during hearing but chose not to do so, and trial court has great discretion as to whether to conduct in camera interviews with minors. (WELCH and CATES, concurring.)

Best Regards,

Jon D. McLaughlin

Bloomington Law Group LLC

Flanagan State Bank Building

2401 East Washington Street

Bloomington Illinois 61704

Skype: jmclaug2

facetime: jondwainmclaughlin@gmail.com

Blog: www.McLeanCountyDivorce.Blogspot.com

www.BloomingtonLawGroup.com

Jon@BloomingtonLawGroup.com

Office: (309) 319-6206

Cell:(309) 433-5034

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I grew up in Provo, Utah, but moved to Oklahoma in order to finish my bachelor’s degree in philosophy and ancient greek at Oklahoma State University. I then attended law school at the University of Illinois. While in law school, I was an Associate Editor of a journal published by the university. Also during this time, I worked for law firms in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Indianapolis, Indiana, and for the Honorable Joe McDade (a Federal Judge, sitting in Peoria).

While still in law school, the Illinois Supreme Court allowed me to practice law and represent clients under Rule 711. This allowed me to gain valuable experience, early on, that has served me well in my subsequent practice.

After law school, I moved to Bloomington, Illinois, and have been practicing law here since that time. While I have handled business transactions and litigation in the past, some involving more than $10,000,000, I now limit my practice to family law matters. I handle divorce, custody, child support, visitation, and other matters that require the court’s attention. I have had much success in getting my clients promising results because of my firm and aggressive approach.

I am a certified Guardian ad Litem, which means that the courts appoint me to investigate child custody, visitation, and other matters. These appointments have helped me become a better advocate for children and to toughen my position in fighting for my clients.

I am a member of the Mediation Council of Illinois. Due to my experience in the area, I am able to advise my clients as to how they can achieve the best results in mediation. In the Eleventh Circuit, mediation is mandatory in visitation and custody disputes. Therefore, it is important to be well-advised when participating in mediation and negotiating a possible resolution to your case.

The majority of my cases are tried in McLean County; however, I also practice in other surrounding counties.

Associations and Memberships: McLean County Bar Association (Treasurer, 2009-2010); ABC Counseling (Board of Directors, 2009-Present); Illinois State Bar Association.

Publications: Mandatory Arbitration Clauses in Employee Manuals, 44 Lab. & Emp. L. (Ill. Bar Assoc., Springfield, Illinois), December 2006; Extinguishing Pension Plans by Partial Termination & Aggregation, U. Ill. J. Bus. L. Soc’y (Feb. 1, 2007); What Relevance Does The ADA Have To HIPAA-Regulated “Bona Fide Wellness Programs”?, U. Ill. J. Bus. L. Soc’y (Feb. 10, 2007); Damages in Delayed Construction Claims, 36 Colo. Law. 17 (March 2007); Disciplining Attorneys and Other FSLA-Exempt Employees for Attendance Problems, Ill. Bar J. (Nov. 2007); Using Altman's Z-Score to Synchronize the Watches of Courts, Directors, Creditors, and Shareholders, 31 Hamline L. Rev (August 2008). Asked and Answered: Will I Lose my Stepchildren?, Ill. Bar J. (Jan. 2009).

Presentations: Surviving Divorce: Financial Implications, Money Smart Week (Illinois) (Bloomington, Illinois, April 8 and 9, 2008); Will Your Loved Ones Be Left Out, Financial and Legal Challenges Faced by the LGBT Community (Bloomington, Illinois, September 25 and 27, 2008).

I am married and have two energetic and beautiful daughters.