The Harris Firm Blog

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

If you want to go back and rescind, or alter, the terms of your divorce, what your options are largely depend on where you are in the process and what you have signed thus far. When you decided to divorce, you initially signed a Complaint for divorce. Once you sign the Complaint, there is a …

Continue reading "Can I go back and change my divorce agreement after the fact?"

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

When you pay a family law attorney a retainer, you are paying them money up front to begin working on your case. The attorney sets the retainer amount based on the projected costs of work on the case. While the retainer fee can go toward several things related to the attorney’s work and expenses incurred …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Yes, you can still work and receive alimony in Alabama. However, how much you can get depends on a variety of factors. In 2018, alimony laws changed in Alabama. Under the previous law, courts could award “periodic” alimony, which basically allowed payments to continue indefinitely. The current law changed the terminology from “periodic” alimony to …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

A divorce retainer is an amount of money you pay up front for your attorney to begin working on your case. It is based on the projected amount of work it will take for the divorce attorney to represent you in your case. These are not the only legal fees you will incur during the …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Adultery is not illegal in Alabama. It is, however, grounds for divorce, A person commits adultery when he engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is not his spouse and lives in cohabitation with that other person when he or that other person is married. (Ala. Code Section 13A-13-2(a)). If you decide to pursue …

Continue reading "Is Cheating on my Wife Illegal in Alabama?"

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Alabama Code Section 13A-13-2(a) states, “A person commits adultery when he engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is not his spouse and lives in cohabitation with that other person when he or that other person is married.” Adultery is the cause for many couples to file for divorce throughout the country, and Alabama …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Sometimes circumstances change after the judge signs your divorce decree, which lays out the terms of your divorce. It can be difficult to alter the terms of your divorce unless you can show the court the modification or appeal is justified. Once the divorce decree is signed, you have the right to file an appeal …

Continue reading "How Much Does It Costs to Go Back and Modify My Divorce?"

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

A small handful of counties in Alabama still appoint a “commissioner” to act in place of a notary in order to witness the signature of the Plaintiff’s testimony in divorce proceedings. It is an old practice which very few courts in Alabama, or the country, still require. If you live in a county where this …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

When selecting a law firm to handle your divorce, there are several factors to consider. The first factors you may understandably think of are the attorney’s reputation and record. But something that does not get discussed as often is the attorney’s fee structure. It is important to ask about this, as law firms differ on …

Continue reading "Flat Fee v. Retainer for Divorce"