Month: September 2014
What happens to pets during a divorce?
If you are like many Alabama residents, you may have a pet that you care deeply about. If divorce is on your radar, you are probably wondering how custody of your pet may be determined. This issue has been getting a lot more attention in recent years as pets have truly become family members. However,
What is the difference between active and passive appreciation?
Welcome back. In our last post, we introduced the concept of “appreciation” in terms of defining marital property during a divorce case. We explained that in the divorce case of billionaire oilman Harold Hamm and his estranged wife Sue Ann, the difference between active and passive appreciation could be worth billions. That’s because Hamm started the
Hamm divorce shows how difficult defining marital property can be
During a divorce in Alabama, all marital property is divided “fairly and equitably” between the two spouses. Marital property refers to property that was brought in by either spouse during the marriage. The property can include savings accounts, retirement accounts or real property like a house. What matters is that the funds or property was
What to do before filing for divorce
If you are thinking about filing for divorce or you believe that a divorce may be in your future, you are probably feeling anxious and maybe a little scared about what to expect. The good news is that you can start taking steps now to prepare yourself for the divorce and increase the chances of
Children from higher-income families struggle most with divorce
We all know that divorce can have a negative effect on children, but only recently have researchers started to uncover more specific details on how children of different ages and socioeconomic levels are affected. For example, a new study suggests that younger children who come from higher-earning households are more likely to develop behavioral problems
What is Alabama’s Putative Father Registry?
Too many unmarried fathers feel that they don’t have any rights in adoption cases or that they don’t have a say, but that’s not true. There are steps unmarried fathers can take to protect their rights and make a commitment to raising their child. In Alabama, alleged fathers have a right to be notified about
Jason Patric continues fight for child custody
Actor Jason Patric is involved in a custody battle over his son, and he recently made another court appearance. He has reportedly been alienated from his son for a substantial amount of time, and therefore he is also the founder of Stand Up for Gus. Similar organizations could help Alabama parents who are fighting for
Estranged husband rejects divorce settlement from Shepherd
Sherri Shepherd and her estranged husband have been in the middle of a dispute over child custody and finances. Most Alabama fans are aware that Shepherd and her estranged husband enlisted a surrogate to carry their newborn baby boy. Shepherd recently offered him a divorce settlement for $100,000, but he refused. According to reports, Shepherd’s
Ken Griffin’s wife asks court to invalidate prenuptial agreement
A prenuptial agreement, when carefully and fairly negotiated between soon-to-be spouses in Alabama or elsewhere, can provide not only protection for individual assets, but also a fair plan regarding asset division if the marriage doesn’t work out. This can prove invaluable in any marriage, regardless of current financial circumstances. During divorce proceedings, particularly in high