New 5 Star Client Review on Google
We just received this new 5 star client review on Google: I went through a long and difficult contested divorce with no minor children. Alison and her team were so good at advising me throughout the process. They were patient and understanding with any issue I had. If I had questions or concerns, Alison was […]
What is the Difference Between Legal Separation and Divorce?
A Legal Separation and a Divorce are almost identical in the fact that the procedures are the same, child custody and support can be awarded, and assets and debts will be divided in both; however, at the end of the process of Legal Separation, you remain married to your spouse. A Legal Separation is rarely necessary or beneficial for most people because if […]
How to get divorced in Mobile, Alabama
Here in Mobile County, our divorce court is called Domestic Relations Court. The Domestic Relations clerk’s office is located on the 9th floor of Mobile Government Plaza and the Courtrooms are located on the 2nd floor. We have two judges who handle all of the Divorce and Post-Divorce cases, as well as all Petitions for Protection From Abuse (PFAs). Post-Divorce […]
Communication Strategies for a High-Conflict Divorce
What is a High-Conflict Divorce? A High-Conflict Divorce is one hallmarked by constant fighting, where one or both parties fight for the sake of fighting without regard to the effect on the family, particularly the children. There is a lot of overlap between high-conflict divorce and personality disorders or traits such as narcissism, controlling behaviors, and lack of empathy. […]
Co-Parenting Apps & Technology
Technology and apps have come a long way in assisting in co-parenting. Co-parenting apps can provide an essential tool to aid in communication and scheduling. Some also offer secure messaging, which is useful in high-conflict custody situations. If you are in a high-conflict custody situation where you have experienced a lot of litigation, it can be very difficult to cobble […]
6 things to look for to find the best divorce lawyer
First of all, what exactly is family law? Family Law is an umbrella term that applies to any type of dispute that affects families, such as divorce, child support, child custody, adoption, termination of parental rights, petitions for protection from abuse, alimony, pre and post-nuptial agreements, and more. It can also include wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, guardianships, […]
4 common mistakes to avoid during your divorce
1. Not Keeping Good Records Divorce can be a very chaotic, confusing, and stressful time. It may be more difficult than usual to remember everything that is going on or what you need to do, but ironically, it is more important than ever. A divorce case may be pending for a year or more, which only increases the […]
10 critical pieces of paperwork you need to file divorce
A lot of divorce clients ask me, what documents do I need to get together? Here is a list of some of the most important documents you will need: Complete income tax returns, W2s, and other like documents for the last 3 years. Year-to-date income information (such as pay stubs) for yourself and your spouse. Statements for […]
Upcoming Changes in Alimony and Taxation
Under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), alimony will no longer be tax-deductible effective January 2019. Currently, alimony or spousal support payments are deductible to the payer and taxable to the payee. This applies to all current divorce or support orders and any that are signed through December 31, 2018. Effective January 1, […]
What is Collaborative Law?
What is Collaborative Law? Collaborative Law is a method of alternative dispute resolution wherein the parties commit to resolve their dispute out of court. Because parties to a divorce often need to have a continuing relationship due to co-parenting of children, Collaborative Law is ideally suited to divorce and other family law matters. How is […]