Posted by Steven A. Harris | Legal News & Case Law
A frequently litigated procedural question in Alabama custody cases (where should this case be filed?) has received a significant and clarifying answer from the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. In a published opinion issued in February 2026 and widely circulated among Alabama family law practitioners in April, the court established that venue in child custody …
Posted by Steven A. Harris | Legal News & Case Law
On March 31, 2026, Governor Kay Ivey signed SB 167, ending Alabama’s longstanding practice of judicial deference to state administrative agencies. The law takes effect immediately and represents one of the most consequential shifts in Alabama administrative law in a generation. For family law and probate practitioners, it opens new avenues for challenging agency determinations …
Alabama’s 2026 legislative session has introduced several bills that could affect how family law and estate matters are resolved. One bill that has garnered attention is House Bill 288, which would change the procedures when a probate estate is removed to circuit court for administration. While this bill primarily addresses probate, it has practical implications …
Posted by Steven A. Harris | Wills & Probate
When most people think about estate planning, they think about wills, trusts, and physical property. But in 2026, a growing portion of what we own exists entirely online — bank accounts, investment portfolios, cryptocurrency, social media profiles, email archives, cloud storage, and digital subscriptions. Without a plan for these digital assets, your family could face …
Continue reading "Do You Have a Plan for Your Digital Assets After You Pass Away?"
Posted by Steven A. Harris | Legal News & Case Law
Introduction: The “Relation Back” Doctrine Is Not a Safety Net In the world of personal injury and wrongful death law in Alabama, timing isn’t just everything—it’s the only thing. Most residents know that there is a two-year “Statute of Limitations” to file a lawsuit after an accident or a death. But what happens if you …
Posted by Steven A. Harris | Estate Planning
For years, estate planning attorneys and their clients watched the federal estate tax exemption with uncertainty. The increased exemption established by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, which would have dropped the exemption from nearly $14 million per person back to roughly $5 million. That …
Continue reading "What Does the $15 Million Estate Tax Exemption Mean for Alabama Families in 2026?"
Posted by Steven A. Harris | Real Estate & Property Law
When a local church decides to leave its national denomination, a fundamental question often arises: Who actually owns the property where the congregation has worshipped for decades? On March 6, 2026, the Supreme Court of Alabama handed down a major decision in Mt. Zion of Autauga County v. United Methodist Church that provides a new …
Posted by Steven A. Harris | Family Law, Harris Firm LLC, Wills & Probate
One of the most troubling scenarios in estate law occurs when a person who abused or exploited an elderly family member stands to inherit from the very person they harmed. It is a painful reality that families across Alabama have confronted, and current law has limited tools to address it. A new legislative proposal in …
Continue reading "Can Someone Convicted of Elder Abuse Still Inherit in Alabama?"
Posted by Steven A. Harris | Harris Firm LLC
When a defective product, dangerous medication, or toxic substance injures a large number of people, the legal system offers a pathway for those individuals to seek justice. That pathway is called a mass tort. Unlike class action lawsuits, mass tort claims allow each injured person to maintain their own individual case while sharing common legal …
Continue reading "What Is a Mass Tort Claim and How Does It Work in Alabama?"
Posted by Steven A. Harris | Elder Law
Introduction: A Safety Net for Alabama Seniors In the heart of the Deep South, family is everything. It is common for aging parents in Birmingham, Montgomery, or the Gulf Coast to transfer their most valuable asset—their home—to their children or a trusted caregiver. The deal is usually simple: “I give you the house now, and …
