Helping you request spousal support in a divorce

Divorce can be a very complex life event. Even when Alabama couples would rather avoid such a messy process, it is sometimes clear that it is better for the spouses if they were no longer together. After a divorcing couple accepts the fact that they are parting ways, it is essential to consider what is important to them and what they see themselves walking away from the marriage with. While property division is a hotly debated topic during dissolution, whenContinue reading

My ex wants to move my kids to another state

Your ex-partner wants to move your kids out of Alabama to another state. Out-of-state relocations can alter the terms of your custody and parenting time agreement, making it harder for you to see and maintain a relationship with your kids. Parental relocation rules are often confusing for many parents. Here is some information that can help you to protect your parental rights. Notice of intent In many divorce and child custody agreements, there is a clause that discusses relocations. IfContinue reading

Bill would bring major changes to child custody law

A bill currently pending in the Alabama Legislature would significantly change the way family court judges determine child custody issues. Many Alabama judges who responded to a recent survey indicated that equal custody is not commonly ordered. Senate Bill 186, introduced by Senator Larry Stutts of Tuscumbia, seeks to change this byencouraging equal physical custody in more cases. Currently, Alabama law does not require equal physical custody in cases where joint custody is ordered. Senator Stutts’ bill would create aContinue reading

Do women have more rights than men in custody disputes?

Although there is a common perception both in Alabama and throughout the rest of the country that mother have an upper hand in a child custody dispute over the fathers of the children, the law of Alabama largely Birmingham fathers and mothers on equal footing when it comes to child custody. In other, men’s and father’s rights are just as important to a court as are the rights of the mother. A couple of specific observations are in order toContinue reading

Most divorce cases settle before trial

Most people going through a divorce in Alabama do not look forward to going to court. The thought of having to testify at a trial about the failure of one’s marriage can be very stressful. In addition, the outcome of a trial is often unpredictable. For these reasons, most divorce cases are settled by agreement of the parties before a trial is necessary. Settlement can be accomplished through alternative dispute resolution procedures, such as mediation. In many cases, however, theContinue reading

How are visitation rights determined?

We all know how divorces can lead to not only hurt feeling but animosities that can carry over well beyond the marriage. This may be especially damaging when there are children involved from the marriage, as parents will still need to see each other and work together to assure that child custody and parental visitation rights are properly met. Ideally, the courts would like to see that the parents are capable of working with one another to assure that visitationContinue reading