Recent Blog Posts
My Spouse Won’t Sign the Papers: Contested Divorce in Alabama
It’s a common theme on TV and in Hollywood movies: “My husband/wife won’t sign the papers, so I can’t finalize the divorce!” In reality, you don’t need your spouse’s consent to file for divorce, although it does make the process easier. Alabama has a procedure in place for divorces where the parties can’t agree… Read More »
Recent Changes to Alabama Child Support Calculations May Reduce Support Obligations for Some Parents
The Alabama State Bar recently implemented an amendment to Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration which may reduce the amount owed by some child support payers. Rule 32 governs how child support payments are calculated following a divorce. The amended rule went into effect on June 1, 2018. The rule does… Read More »
The New Tax Law And Estate Tax Considerations in Alabama
In December 2017 President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 2017 Act). The new tax law goes into effect this year and may significantly affect estate planning for high net-worth individuals. Under federal law, the estates of decedents who leave behind property may owe an estate and gift tax. … Read More »
New Alabama Law Changes How Retirement Accounts Are Distributed in a Divorce
Filing for divorce is never easy, and wading through the complicated rules for valuing and dividing up different kinds of property is a chore best left to experienced divorce attorneys. Read on to learn about a new law in Alabama that changes how retirement accounts may be distributed in a divorce, and if you… Read More »
Attending a Divorce Hearing? Follow These Tips on Courtroom Etiquette
Unless you’re an attorney or courtroom staffer, going to court isn’t an everyday occurrence. Some of us go our whole lives without stepping foot inside of a courtroom—until we’re forced to appear before an Alabama judge on our divorce case. Don’t be intimidated; it isn’t hard to learn and follow appropriate courtroom etiquette. Plus,… Read More »
Should You Make Installment Payments Part of Your Alabama Divorce Settlement?
It’s never easy to arrive at what feels like a fair division of assets in a divorce. On top of battles over alimony and spouses’ contribution to the couple’s financial state, there is the difficulty of splitting seemingly un-splittable items or investment accounts. For instance, many large assets can’t be divided equally without being… Read More »
Handling Your Divorce Yourself Comes with Risks
Divorce can be an expensive and drawn-out process, and many spouses are desperate to find a way to minimize the costs associated with a split. Some believe that, by filing for divorce without a lawyer, they can save hundreds of dollars and expedite the process of finalizing their divorce. While a DIY divorce may… Read More »
Telling Adult Children that You’re Getting a Divorce
Divorce may not be as disruptive to adult children as it is to young ones, but it can still be crushing news. Sharing news of your divorce with your grown children should be done with care and consideration. Below, find some suggestions on how to discuss a divorce with your grown kids, and contact… Read More »
Reducing the Stress of a Post-Split Holiday Season
Once reaching adulthood, no one escapes the holidays stress-free, but this time of year can become even more challenging after a divorce. The holidays can bring up painful memories of happier times in years past, when you were still married. If you’re a parent, you may be concerned about your children’s happiness now that… Read More »
What Can We Include in an Alabama Prenuptial Agreement?
As people get married later in life, often after building their careers or purchasing property, couples are less likely to see prenuptial agreements as stigmatized and more likely to see them as a practical way to avoid a messy divorce in the future. Prenuptial agreements can be a civil way to agree in advance… Read More »
