Author Archives: Steven A. Harris

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce, Family Law

Spouses who want to avoid having their divorce heard in court can agree to arbitration. The major difference between arbitration and divorce court is the parties’ documents like financial disclosures do not become public record in arbitration. In addition, arbitration can take place when the parties request the proceeding. The parties will not experience delays …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce, Family Law

In Alabama, there are not too many COVID considerations during divorce anymore. The family law courts have largely returned to normal, in-person operations for divorce and child-related proceedings. This is a departure from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the spring and summer of 2020 and most of 2021, divorce and child-related proceedings …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce, Family Law

Credit card points and airline miles that the spouses acquired during the marriage are marital property that should be equitably divided in a divorce. Points and miles that one party acquired before the marriage are separate property. These will not be divided in an uncontested divorce in Jefferson County, or anywhere else in Alabama.  A …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce, Family Law

An Alabama divorce court will engage in equitable distribution of out-of-state property that is marital property. Marital property is property that the spouses acquired during the marriage. An example is a vacation cabin the parties bought together after the wedding. The court in a Shelby County divorce will not divide separate property. Separate property is …

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