The Harris Firm Blog

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Obergefell v. Hodges Decision 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 …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

What is an Answer in a Divorce? A divorce is a civil lawsuit filed by one spouse against the other, with the filing spouse making certain requests from the court. The spouse that files the divorce is called the Plaintiff, and they initiate the process by the filing of a document called a Complaint. It is …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Paternity in Divorce Sometimes a couple may be separated for years and not file for divorce, existing in separate households, and even forming new relationships. If a child is born during such a separation, they are still considered a child of the marriage and the husband is still considered the legal father of the child. …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Contempt and Rule Nisi Petitions If you and your spouse did not reach an agreement in your divorce, and a judge decided your contested issues for you at trial, then the divorce decree should state the judge’s decision concerning such contested matters and order both of you to comply with that decision. Alternatively, if the …

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Posted by Steven A. Harris | Divorce

Same-Sex Divorces in Alabama On January 23, 2015 the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama, in the case of Searcy v. Strange, struck down the Alabama Marriage Protection Act and the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment, declaring that they violated the U.S. Constitution due process and equal protection clauses.  The federal judge issued a stay …

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