At 17, Denina Anderson moved out of her mother’s home to live with her boyfriend against both parents’ wishes. She enrolled in community college, worked part-time, and purchased a car. Despite these adult actions, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ruled she wasn’t emancipated, and her father still owed child support. Every year, hundreds of…
In a small county jail in northern Alabama, 17-year-old Djovani Jean-Pierre marked his birthday behind bars. For over six months, this Haitian-American teen languished in adult detention, charged as an adult and unable to return to his education. His situation highlights the stark legal reality many Alabama minors face: without emancipation, they remain subject to…
Behind closed doors across Alabama, couples facing the end of their marriages often confront the financial reality of getting a divorce. What many don’t realize is that the final price tag depends largely on choices made in the early stages. While some Alabama residents emerge from divorce with savings intact, others face years of financial…
Alabama courts once automatically favored mothers in custody disputes, with 8 out of 10 mothers receiving primary custody before 1980 due to the “Tender Years” doctrine. Today’s reality looks dramatically different. Alabama has evolved from traditional “mother state” presumptions to a gender-neutral approach emphasizing the best interests of children above all else. How Alabama Courts…
The courthouse clock ticks differently for different divorces. While some couples spend years entangled in legal proceedings, others finalize their separation in as little as 30 days. This stark contrast often comes down to whether a divorce qualifies as “simple” under Alabama law. The difference can mean thousands in legal fees saved and months of…
The small white envelope sits on your kitchen counter, stamped and sealed, holding a check that represents far more than its dollar amount. It carries your commitment, legal obligation, and your child’s access to necessities and opportunities. But that envelope might travel a winding path through Alabama’s administrative system—potentially delaying support for weeks—if addressed incorrectly. …
Behind closed doors of Alabama courtrooms, judges don’t simply pick a number from thin air when determining child support. A parent’s whispered question—”How much will I pay?”—triggers a cascade of calculations unique to Alabama law. While many assume child support follows a simple percentage, the reality involves a more nuanced approach designed to balance a…
When parents separate, one of the first questions that arises involves financial responsibility for their child. The late-night worry of “How will I provide?” meets the daytime reality of Alabama’s complex child support system. Behind each calculation lies a child’s future—their housing, education, healthcare, and daily needs. While emotions run high during family transitions, understanding…
Parents fighting for custody often describe the experience as walking through fire—painful, all-consuming, and transformative. In Alabama courtrooms, judges make life-altering decisions about children’s futures by weighing evidence to determine which parent should have primary authority and physical care of a child. Understanding Child Custody in Alabama Alabama courts distinguish between legal custody (decision-making authority)…
Alabama offers both fault and no-fault divorce options, providing residents with multiple pathways to legally end their marriages. Under Alabama Code § 30-2-1, couples can pursue divorce through either approach, each carrying distinct legal implications and procedural requirements. Understanding which classification applies to your circumstances forms the foundation for strategic decision-making throughout the divorce process. …