Category Archives: <span class="page-description">Family Law</span>

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Both spouses do not have to have their own lawyer to seek a divorce in Alabama. However, one lawyer can only represent one spouse. The same attorney cannot represent both the Plaintiff and the Defendant, because that would put the lawyer on both sides of the same civil case at once, which is a conflict …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

An uncontested divorce in Alabama usually takes about four to eight weeks after both spouses have signed everything and it has been filed with the court. If both parties agree on the big questions — how you will divide your assets and debts, child custody and support, and whether one spouse will pay alimony — …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

If your marriage is ending and you have met someone new, or you are simply tired of waiting, one question comes up again and again: can you date while you are separated in Alabama? The short answer is yes, it is not a crime, and there is no law that stops you. The longer answer …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

One of the first questions people ask when they start thinking about divorce is what will happen to their property. A lot of people assume everything gets split straight down the middle, with each spouse walking away with half of everything the couple owns. That assumption is wrong in Alabama. Alabama is not a 50/50 …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

You do not have to hire a lawyer to obtain an uncontested divorce in Alabama. You are allowed to represent yourself. However, with an uncontested divorce, also called no-fault divorce, hiring an attorney is generally less expensive since it is processed through the courts quicker than contested divorces and there are usually not any hearings. …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued their decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. In a 5-4 ruling, the Court decided that the right to marry is a fundamental right that is guaranteed to same sex couples under the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

When one spouse files for divorce, the legal process officially begins once the other spouse is served with divorce papers. At that point, the receiving spouse, known as the Defendant, must decide how to respond. One of the most important steps in this process is filing an Answer. The Answer is a formal legal document …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Paternity plays a critical role in many Alabama divorce cases involving children. It determines the legal relationship between a father and a child, which directly affects custody, visitation, and financial responsibilities. When a married couple with children decides to file for divorce, paternity is often presumed. However, in certain situations, questions about paternity may arise, …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

When a divorce case reaches its conclusion, the court issues a document known as a divorce decree. This document is the official order that legally ends the marriage and outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties moving forward. Many people assume that once the paperwork is filed, the divorce is complete. However, a divorce …

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