Is alimony as we know it coming to an end?
According to a recent article in Forbes, judges all over the country are beginning to shy away from alimony orders during divorce proceedings. Permanent alimony awards especially are becoming a thing of the past, the article said, as more judges are deciding to limit the length of spousal support and taking a more strategic approach
Changing a child support or alimony order in Alabama
As President John F. Kennedy famously said: Change is the law of life. Since divorce and child custody orders deal intrinsically with the details of our lives, they often need to be amended when our lives change. Job changes, new relationships, relocations and new children can all require a child support or alimony orders to
Should Alabama’s child custody laws be reformed?
The National Parents Organization of Alabama, a group that advocates for the best interests of children, is recommending that Alabama reform its child custody laws to promote shared parenting arrangements in cases of divorce or separation. Shared parenting means that both parents play an important and significant role in the child’s life following a divorce or separation.
How domestic violence impacts divorce in Alabama
This month is domestic violence awareness month in Alabama, which makes this the perfect time to discuss domestic violence and how it can affect a divorce proceeding. Domestic violence is best defined as a pattern of violent or coercive behavior that takes place within an intimate relationship. While domestic violence is serious in nature, it
What is the legal difference between marriage and cohabitation?
Today, more and more Americans are choosing to live together and even start families together without getting married. However, it’s important to understand that cohabitating and starting a life together without entering marriage denies many of the legal benefits of marriage. Before we discuss some of the legal benefits of marriage that do not apply
Dr. Phil’s tips for parenting during divorce
Source: Huffington Post, “What Children Need Most When Their Parents Divorce,” Oct. 6, 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