Podcast Episode #9: From Judge to Mayoral Hopeful: Spiro Cheriogotis’ Vision for Mobile

by mighty | Aug 15, 2025 | Alabama, Division of Assets, Divorce, Family, Family Law, Finances

Podcast Episode #9: From Judge to Mayoral Hopeful: Spiro Cheriogotis’ Vision for Mobile

The Herlihy Family Law Podcast, hosted by attorney Alison Herlihy, offers listeners valuable insights at the intersection of family law and community life. In Episode 9, Alison is joined by Spiro Cheriogotis, a former prosecutor, district judge, small business owner, and candidate for mayor of Mobile, Alabama. The episode takes listeners through a compelling journey of purpose-driven leadership, practical solutions for city improvement, and an optimistic vision for Mobile’s future.

From Pre-Med to Law: A Purposeful Pivot

The path to public service often begins with unexpected turns. A biology and chemistry major, Cheriogotis originally prepared for a career in medicine. But a deep internal shift, driven by prayer and introspection, led him to pivot toward law. This defining decision set the stage for a meaningful career in legal service and leadership, ultimately guiding him toward the bench and now into public office.

Learning Leadership from the Courtroom

Years of work as both a prosecutor and a district judge shaped his philosophy on leadership. His time on the bench, especially during the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, honed his skills in strategic problem-solving and compassionate decision-making. He emphasized the importance of presiding with empathy and responsibility, particularly when dealing with families in crisis or individuals with limited options.

A Family Business Foundation

Growing up in a family business instilled in him a strong work ethic and deep respect for people from all walks of life. After his father’s passing, he assumed responsibility for the family’s barbecue restaurant in Dothan, Alabama—an experience that reinforced his understanding of small business challenges, loyalty to long-time employees, and the value of community.

Addressing Public Safety with Realistic Solutions

Public safety remains a top concern in Mobile. While the city has made strides in reducing property crimes, gun violence continues to impact the community. Tackling this issue, he believes, requires a multi-pronged approach: intervening early in the lives of at-risk youth, investing in workforce development, and taking a firm yet supportive stance on gang-related activity. Creating visible, attainable pathways to success can, he argues, deter violence and offer hope.

Connecting Underserved Communities to Opportunity

Many local job opportunities remain out of reach for underserved residents due to a lack of reliable transportation. With employers like Airbus and Austal in need of skilled labor, improving transit is key. Proposals include restructuring the city’s transportation system to be more accessible, such as introducing trolley-style buses that better serve narrow city roads, while also building excitement and trust in public transit.

Smart Cities and Responsible AI Use

Artificial intelligence can improve everyday city functions—particularly traffic flow and customer service—by providing more efficient and responsive systems. From smarter traffic lights to AI-driven chat services for city departments, technology offers practical benefits when applied thoughtfully and with respect for privacy and human connection.

Investing in Education from the Ground Up

A strong education system begins with early childhood investment. In Mobile, the gap often starts before kindergarten. Expanding access to preschool is a vital step in ensuring students enter school ready to learn. Additionally, highlighting the success of Mobile’s magnet schools and creating partnerships with employers helps bridge the divide between education and workforce readiness.

Optimism, Unity, and Being Present

Personal values of unity and optimism guide this leadership vision. Seeing all individuals as people—regardless of background—and lifting each other up are central tenets. He encourages others to stay present, prioritize what matters, and recognize that growth is a continual journey, whether in family, work, or public service.

This episode of the Herlihy Family Law Podcast offers more than just a glimpse into a political campaign—it presents a blueprint for compassionate leadership rooted in experience, faith, and community values. Whether you’re concerned about public safety, access to opportunity, or the future of Mobile, the insights shared here are both timely and inspiring.

To learn more, subscribe to the Herlihy Family Law Podcast for conversations that connect law, leadership, and community. Visit herlihyfamilylaw.com for additional family law resources. And to follow Spiro Cheriogotis’ campaign or get involved, visit SpiroForMayor.com.

Podcast Episode #8: Business Valuations in Divorce: What You Need to Know with Guest Mike Reibling

by mighty | Jul 30, 2025 | Alabama, Division of Assets, Divorce, Family, Family Law, Finances

Podcast Episode #8: Business Valuations in Divorce: What You Need to Know with Guest Mike Reibling

In Episode 8 of Herlihy Family Law, attorney Alison Herlihy is joined by Mike Reibling, a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Valuation Analyst, to explore the role of business valuations in divorce. With extensive experience valuing businesses and other assets for family law cases, Mike offers practical insight into how business interests are assessed, what documents are needed, and how these valuations impact equitable distribution in a divorce.

Why Business Valuations Matter

A business is often one of the most significant assets in a marital estate. Determining its accurate value is essential for ensuring a fair division of assets. Courts rely on these valuations to make informed decisions, especially when one or both spouses have ownership interests in the business.

Credentials That Matter

Not every CPA is equipped to conduct a business valuation. Specialized certifications—such as Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV)—indicate specific training and expertise in this area. These designations are critical for credible, court-admissible valuations.

Methods of Valuation

The income approach is most commonly used for privately held businesses. This includes two primary methods:

Discounted Future Cash Flows: Projects future earnings and discounts them to present value.
Capitalization of Earnings: Uses historical financial data when future performance is expected to remain consistent.

Other valuation methods, like market comparisons, are less effective for small, unique businesses without reliable benchmarks.

Industry Differences and Asset Weighting

Valuations focus heavily on cash flow, making the process relatively industry-agnostic. However, businesses with high-value equipment or tangible assets—like construction companies—may require a blended approach, weighing both income and asset values.

Retirement Assets and Business as Marital Property

When distinguishing marital from non-marital property, factors like the timing of asset acquisition and state-specific laws on goodwill come into play. For example, pre-marital retirement savings and related earnings may be excluded from the marital estate. Similarly, the value of a business may include or exclude “personal goodwill” depending on the judge’s interpretation.

Uncovering Hidden Assets and Red Flags

Delays in producing financial records, excessive management fees, and unusual loans between the owner and the business can signal attempts to hide or undervalue assets. Subpoenas, motions to compel, and detailed forensic accounting can help uncover these issues and ensure full disclosure.

Essential Documents for Valuation

Accurate valuations depend on five years of tax returns, financial statements, and ideally a QuickBooks backup file. These tools allow analysts to run customized reports and conduct deeper financial analysis beyond standard balance sheets or P&Ls.

Business Owner Misconceptions

Many owners assume their business will fund their retirement, but this expectation often exceeds the business’s true value. Additionally, paying oneself an unreasonably low salary can backfire when valuations are adjusted to reflect market-rate compensation for the owner’s role.

Honesty and Early Involvement Are Crucial

The most effective valuations occur when experts are brought in early and when all parties are forthcoming with documentation. Courts take misrepresentation seriously, and undisclosed or inaccurate information can negatively impact the outcome of a case.

Listen to the Full Episode

For more expert insights like these, tune in to the Herlihy Family Law Podcast at herlihyfamilylaw.com/podcast. Visit herlihyfamilylaw.com to learn more about navigating divorce and asset division. To connect with Mike Reibling for a business valuation, visit his website at mrbizvalue.com.

4 Reasons Why Prenups Aren’t as Bad as You Think

by Anna Eden | Apr 29, 2024 | Alabama, Divorce, Family Law, Finances

4 Reasons Why Prenups Aren’t as Bad as You Think

Prenuptial agreements (“prenups”) have a pretty bad reputation. The common misconception is that they create an unbalanced power dynamic between couples, protecting the wealthier spouse by making it easier for them to get divorced and making it more difficult for the less-wealthy spouse to do so.

People also often view them as an immediate sign that you’re anticipating a divorce even before getting married; however, this is not the case.

Prenups are legal contracts that provide terms for how assets and debts are to be divided in the case of a divorce, or in the event your spouse dies.

Yes, they are created before a couple marries, but it does not mean that your partner is already considering the possibility of a divorce or your immediate death. If anything, they help couples know up front what their financial situation is, and it sets a clear path for marriage. Prenups
can also outline things like spousal support or inheritances.

Having a prenup in place can actually make relationships stronger because it will force each partner to set goals and expectations for their marriage.

They provide couples with the opportunity ahead of time to have the often-uncomfortable conversation about finances and give one another a better understanding of what is important to the other and how they can support each other. It requires couples to have clear communication
from the outset, which will positively translate into the marriage.

Without a prenuptial agreement in place, Alabama law will determine who owns the property, other assets, and debts acquired during the marriage.

Under Alabama law, a marriage is a contract so there are automatic property rights for each spouse, and when a marriage ends (by divorce or death) the state will have a say in who gets what. Prenups are essential if you want to try and avoid this kind of intervention. For a prenup
to be valid in Alabama, each spouse needs to be represented by an attorney. This ensures that each spouse is getting what they need from the agreement and that communication runs smoothly. The reality is that every single marriage ends. It will either end in death or divorce. Couples have to ask themselves, “Do we want the state to tell us how our lives will be divided?” Most would immediately say, “No.”

Prenups are also a way to save yourself time, money, and trauma should you find yourself in a situation where your marriage has ended and a lengthy, messy divorce is on the horizon.

One of the main reasons divorce is expensive is because people aren’t functioning at their best; they take a lot of time to work things out in their head, and that can mean far more conversations with a divorce attorney. A prenup can ensure that if
the worst occurs and the marriage needs to end, it can do so in a much more quick, orderly and inexpensive manner.

At Herlihy Family Law, we want to help you create a safety net as you make the decision to merge your life with your partner’s.

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Author: Anna Eden

Attorney Anna Eden is a native of Mobile, Alabama. Prior to joining Herlihy Family Law, Anna worked as a law clerk for Circuit Court Judges Michael Windom and Michael Sherman. It was during her time clerking for Judge Sherman that Anna discovered her passion for helping people navigate the complex and emotional issues involved in family law.

Anna aids in the representation of individuals across a variety of family law issues, including divorce and child support, juvenile law, child custody law, probate, and wills.

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Common Divorce Issues in Long-Term Marriages

by Anna Eden | Jan 26, 2024 | Alabama, Division of Assets, Divorce, Family Law, Finances

Common Divorce Issues in Long-Term Marriages

Navigating the intensity of a divorce in a long-term marriage can be challenging, especially when you’ve been married to your spouse for decades.

Untangling your life from your spouse’s can be strenuous and emotionally draining because your assets and debts have become deeply intertwined and your familial bonds have solidified.

At Herlihy Family Law, our team of professional divorce attorneys has all the necessary tools to help you take the next steps with clarity and confidence.

Separation of Deeply Entangled Assets

In long-term marriages, financial entanglement goes beyond basic shared assets like real estate and bank accounts. Other common marital assets subject to division are vehicles, retirement accounts, pensions, tax credits or refunds, investments, and family-owned businesses.

Alabama is an equitable distribution state – i.e. things don’t automatically get split down the middle 50/50. The court will determine what a fair distribution is based on the facts and circumstances of a case.

With long-term marriages, judges have more discretion on how to divide assets and debts. Part of these considerations include who contributed more on the front end and which spouse needed the most assistance at the time of the separation.

Alimony

Another crucial component of divorce for parties in a long-term marriage is spousal support or alimony. In Alabama, alimony is not a given but is largely dependent on the circumstances of the case.

Alabama judges have complete discretion over the issue of alimony. Alimony awards are going to be most common in a long-term marriage when one spouse has been financially dependent on the other for all or at least a significant part of the marriage.

Other factors the court will consider are the earning ability of the spouses; the property awards and value of each spouse’s estate; the health and age of the parties; and in some cases, marital misconduct by either spouse, including adultery.

The two most common awards of alimony are rehabilitative and periodic. Rehabilitative alimony is short-term support used as a mechanism to help one spouse transition back to the workforce when he or she has a significant earning capacity.

Periodic alimony is a specific payment that is made on a specified, periodic basis. The circumstances in which periodic alimony terminates are when the receiving spouse either remarries, cohabitates with a romantic partner, or dies.

In Alabama, alimony is always modifiable, whether rehabilitative or periodic, upon a showing of a material change in circumstances.

Emotional Distress on the Whole Family

The emotional toll of ending a long-term marriage cannot be understated. Having shared a significant portion of your life with someone, the process of separating it can be daunting and terrifying. The heartache you will feel is inevitable.

It is no surprise that people say going through a divorce is the same as losing a loved one. You are actively mourning the loss of a significant part of your life!

This is especially hard for individuals in a long-term marriage because their family ties have been solidified for years and years. Their families have co-mingled for so long that divorce doesn’t just impact the parties themselves. Their larger family unit can be just as devastated.

Disconnecting from in-laws and relatives who have provided you with childcare, friendship, emotional support, or guidance is no easy feat.

Whether you have children or not, maintaining these extended family relationships may be important to you. You and your extended family can mitigate the impact of divorce by finding reassurance that it is a shared experience. And the relationship can endure through mutual respect and open communication.

Separation of Social Lives

Divorce can also impact your social circles and personal identity. Couples spend years building mutual friendships and shared hobbies.

A divorce means not only dividing assets and responsibilities but also reshaping your social life. One common change in social circles after divorce is a shift in mutual friends.

Often, couples tend to have shared friends who may feel caught in the middle or unsure how to remain connected with both individuals.

Communication is always key. Be open and honest with your friends about what you’re going through. Let them know if you need space or if you want their support. It’s okay to lean on them during this difficult time.

Some friends may choose sides or feel uncomfortable maintaining relationships with both parties. This can lead to an inevitable reevaluation of one’s social circle and potentially the loss of friendships.

Grief over lost friendships is normal and should be acknowledged; however, it’s also essential not to dwell on what was lost but instead focus on building healthier relationships moving forward.

Divorced individuals may find themselves seeking out new connections and support systems outside their previous circle. This could mean joining new clubs or organizations, attending events related to personal interests, or even exploring online communities where they can connect with others going through similar experiences.

Finding support and building a strong social circle post-divorce can be a challenging but essential part of moving forward in your life.

Author: Anna Eden

Attorney Anna Eden is a native of Mobile, Alabama. Prior to joining Herlihy Family Law, Anna worked as a law clerk for Circuit Court Judges Michael Windom and Michael Sherman. It was during her time clerking for Judge Sherman that Anna discovered her passion for helping people navigate the complex and emotional issues involved in family law.

Anna aids in the representation of individuals across a variety of family law issues, including divorce and child support, juvenile law, child custody law, probate, and wills.

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Divorce Cost: How Much Does It Really Cost?

by Walter Gewin | Jan 9, 2024 | Divorce, Family Law, Finances, Mobile

Divorce Cost: How Much Does It Really Cost?

A very common question we get asked is how much does divorce cost? While no one enters into marriage anticipating getting divorced, when a marriage is not sustainable, divorce can be the answer and the beginning of your new life. Of course, as with anything in life, divorce is not free.

However, there are ways to plan and choose the path that is most well-suited for your situation, needs, and budget.

Understanding the Price Tag: How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

Divorce is not “one size fits all” and the price of a divorce varies based on the facts. More complicated assets, finances, child custody, and fault allegations make divorces more complicated and often more expensive. Divorces with limited assets, more simple finances, and without child custody are often less expensive.

However, every divorce is different and the parties are the ones that often determine how much a divorce will cost. Pretrial hearings subpoenaed records, discovery, and the filing of motions and pleadings can cause divorce litigation to be more and more expensive.

The facts of the case are going to dictate the necessity of increased litigation expenses or the ability to avoid the same.

Affordable Options: Exploring the Cost of a Simple Uncontested Divorce

The cheapest option for divorce is an uncontested divorce. This requires the parties to have an agreement and be agreeable to the terms of their divorce.

Upon an agreement being written up, it is signed and notarized by both parties and then filed with the Court along with any other necessary documents required by the clerk’s office.

Uncontested divorces require the parties to agree to all the terms of their divorce. Any disagreement as to the terms therein can prevent an uncontested divorce from being filed and leave the parties no closer to getting divorced.

In addition to facilitating uncontested divorce agreements, Herlihy Family Law, PC also offers the option for people to purchase an uncontested divorce package for $500 and fill out the necessary paperwork included in the package themselves using the detailed instructions included with them.

This can be a great option for parties that have had a short marriage, have few assets, and have limited finances. However, yet again if there is not an agreement the parties remain married and without a pending divorce case and eventual trial date.

The Role of Lawyers: How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?

Most divorce attorneys either charge based on an hourly rate or have some sort of flat fee structure. Hourly billing is more common in family law as the time involved in a divorce or custody case can vary greatly from case to case, and flat fee structures often do not accommodate for complex and cases requiring heavy time commitments.

Costs of divorces billed by the hour will vary based on the amount of time required in the case, the number of hearings necessary, and amount of filings and documents involved.

Also, sometimes flat fee structures will either be high or low based on the complexity and attorney involvement needed in a divorce case.

Retaining the services of an attorney is going to allow for the highest level of guidance and attentive legal advice through your divorce; however this involvement is going to be more expensive than pursuing an uncontested divorce, but often unavoidable when a contentious divorce is at hand.

Filing for Divorce: Examining Additional Expenses Involved

In addition to legal expenses for attorneys, court filings, subpoenas, document production, and other expenses related to filing your contested divorce or uncontested divorce, there are other expenses that are involved when getting divorced. Parties’ normal household and marital expenses must continue to be paid pending divorce.

Additionally, if one person decides to move out pending divorce, those are additional costs a party may choose to incur based on circumstances.

Depending on how long it takes the parties to divorce, these status quo expenses could have to be upheld for quite some time before the parties receive their Judgment of Divorce.

Budgeting for Divorce

While it is hard to budget for divorce, knowing the many expenses involved, the timeline possible, and the options can make the process easier to prepare for.

Most people enter their marriage never expecting to get divorced, but it becomes necessary for many married people and affords individuals a new beginning.

Author: Walter Gewin

Attorney Walter Gewin is a native of Mobile, Alabama. After graduation from law school, Walter clerked for Circuit Court Judge John Lockett before pursuing a career in the private practice of law. Initially, practicing a wide variety of law; Walter’s practice has become more focused on family law, including juvenile, probate, and domestic relations matters. Walter also currently serves as a certified Guardian Ad Litem in Dependency, Delinquency, and Domestic Relations matters.

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10 critical pieces of paperwork you need to file divorce

by mighty | Dec 27, 2018 | Divorce, Family, Family Law, Finances, Legal Advice

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 banking and other financial accounts for the past 12 months.
Statements for credit cards and other debts for the past 12 months.
If you have children, copies of the monthly out-of-pocket cost of health insurance and the number of people covered on the plan. If you have employer-provided health insurance, this may be on your pay stub.
If you have children, copies of any work-related daycare expense.
Deeds, appraisals, mortgages, or other like documents for all real estate.
Your will and your spouse’s will.
Life insurance policies for you and your spouse.
Certificates of title or other ownership documents regarding any cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs, or any type of titled vehicle.