Studies show that grandparents play a significant role in the upbringing of a child. In following with their ultimate goal of preserving the best interests of the child, courts in the United States, including Alabama recognize this importance, and have laws in place to help assure that grandparents can play an active role in a child’s growth and development. Grandparents are entitled to visitation rights if it can be proven that it is in the best interests of the child,Continue reading
Birmingham Law Blog
Fathers are very important in their children’s lives
Many times mothers and fathers are not compatible and don’t stay together after their child is born. But even if a Birmingham mom and dad are no longer together, it doesn’t mean that the father is not important. Fathers have an important role to play in their children’s lives and it is critical that they are given the opportunity. Men’s and father’s rights need to be protected in the Birmingham area. Fathers are important sources of love for their children.Continue reading
Common law marriage over
Partners have numerous legal arrangements to remain together which pose unique family law issues. However, recognition of one of these legal relationships will end in Alabama. The state will no longer recognize new common-law marriages beginning on New Year’s Day 2017. A common-law marriage is a union that is legally-recognized even though there is no official marriage license in the state. The law, before this change, did not require a specific time or the couple to live together although sevenContinue reading
Paternity tests have low barrier to entry
Over the years, it has become more apparent and recognized by both the scientific and medical community as well as the courts, that the father plays a vital role in a child’s life. Decades ago, it was believed that the maternal nurturing of a child was most important, and that the father’s traditional family role was that of bread-winner. Times and gender roles have evolved however, and now, more than ever, courts are making certain that a father’s rights areContinue reading
“Flip or Flop” stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa divorcing
It often feels like every week or two another celebrity couple splits up. In many cases, the celebrity marriages were short term flings, often lasting less than a year and sometimes even less than a month. That is why it may come as a shock to many to hear of the recently announcement that the reality television couple and business partners Tarek and Christina El Moussa from the popular HGTV show “Flip or Flop” have filed for divorce. The coupleContinue reading
Benefits to having a prenuptial agreement
If one follows celebrity news and gossip it may seem like everyone is getting a prenuptial agreement these days. But prenuptial agreements are not just for celebrities. They are becoming more and more popular for many engaged Birmingham couples. Although it can be hard for a couple to think about their marriage ending in divorce, there can be many advantages to drafting a prenuptial agreement prior to the wedding vows being exchanged. A newly engaged Birmingham couple have a lotContinue reading
Prenuptial Agreements may prevent headaches down the road
Anyone who knows a family member or friend who has gone through a divorce knows that the divorce process doesn’t always go smoothly. Whatever the reason for the divorce, it is likely that some forms of resentment or ill-will might cross the mind of either spouse. And, since both spouses need to work together to try to make mutually beneficial decisions that are satisfactory to both sides, this can be especially difficult. For couples on the verge of marriage, theContinue reading
After the holidays, unhappy couples weigh their options
For happy families, the holiday season is a time to embrace all of your relationships, such as those with co-workers, friends and family. But, for unhappy couples, the holidays may be more complex. On one hand, the holidays may reaffirm a relationship, showing that love still exists and that the couple can work through some bumps in the road. But, for other couples, the holidays may reveal that a relationship is fractured, possibly even beyond repair. This is why itContinue reading
What you need to know about divorce and your retirement account
If you are facing a divorce, you know that your entire life is in a moment of change. What you might not realize is the way that change can alter your plans for the future, even far-off plans that might not seem as immediately important in the wake of everything else you need to do to get your life reorganized so you can move forward. This leads many people to neglect to pay attention to what their divorce might doContinue reading
What can be done to enforce delinquent child support?
When Alabama parents share a child but are no longer together as a couple, one parent will generally be ordered to pay child support to the other. There are times when the supporting parent is delinquent in what he or she owes. The state has certain methods that it will use to enforce these obligations. Income withholding is when there is a court order or an administrative order for the employer of the noncustodial parent to take a certain amountContinue reading