Family Law Attorney, Mobile AL

Affordable legal help

No matter which state you belong to, it is important to be informed about the family laws specific to it.

At Affordable Legal Help, we concentrate on family laws and the challenges that accompany divorce and child custody issues. We have offices in different states including Mobile, Alabama. Our family lawyers, Mobile AL are experts in finding solutions to arduous issues in these matters and protect the rights of you and your children.

Divorce Laws in Mobile, Alabama

Every state has laws and legal requirements for divorce. These laws are made so that residents of that state are well informed about the procedures they have to go through to get divorced. Similarly, in Mobile, Alabama, you have to follow certain rules and laws regarding the divorce process.

The rules regarding filing a divorce are as follows:

• Either one or both parties should be residents of Alabama for at least 6 months.
• There's a 30-day waiting period for the divorce to be finalized.
• Grounds for divorce can be adultery, cruelty, incurable insanity and crimes committed against nature.
• Alabama is a no-fault state, so the reason for divorce can also be, irretrievable breakdown.

Although it is not necessary to hire a family law attorney, Mobile, Alabama, but the overall procedure is quite complex and overwhelming. Therefore, if you take the help of a family law attorney in Mobile, things can be taken care of conveniently and you can go through the whole process without any hassle.

Child Custody and Visitation Statutes in Mobile, Alabama

Going through a divorce is a tough time for the couple, but if children are involved, it becomes more complex due to child custody and support issues. A child support lawyer, Mobile, AL can be of help here. They will guide you through the whole process, give you negotiation advice so that you can find middle ground and go ahead with it. In case the parents are unable to come to terms with each other regarding child custody and support, the court will decide on their behalf, with the child's best interests in mind.

Like all other states of the US, Alabama also goes with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, according to which each state must honour and enforce child custody determinations made by courts in other states.

According to Alabama law, separated parents have the option of joint custody, which means that they both get equal custody rights of their child. But still, one parent has the primary custody, which means that the child spends maximum time with them, as compared to the other parent.

Family courts in Mobile, AL make custody decisions based on the safety and well-being of the child. Some factors that are kept into consideration are:

• The child's relationship with siblings
• Consistency in family life
• Community
• Education

Also, some decisions are made while focusing on the parents. Such as which parent can best take care of the child's:

• Physical needs
• Educational needs
• Emotional needs
• Development needs

The parent who can take care of the aforementioned needs, and is capable of creating a loving, stable and caring relationship with the child is given the right to be the custodial parent.

Child custody issues are difficult to solve and may require a lot of documentation, in which case it is best to take the services of a child support attorney, Mobile, AL.

Child Support Laws in Mobile, Alabama

Child support refers to the monetary aid a non-custodial parent is required to give to their child, so that they can live a better life.

In Mobile, Alabama, child support is calculated according to the net monthly income of each parent. Some guidelines are followed to calculate the accurate amount of child support. These child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, which states that child support for the child should remain exactly like it would have been in case the divorce hadn't taken place.

Deviation from Guidelines

In most cases, the amount of child support is calculated according to the guidelines, but there are several reasons when the court has to deviate from the guidelines. Some of them are:

• When the non-custodial parent spends more time with the child than approved by the court.
• Extra transportation costs incurred due to visitation.
• College expenses before the child turns 18.

If any other circumstances are in favour of the child, the court will consider them and make changes in the amount of child support. A divorce attorney, Mobile, AL can guide you thoroughly about situations in which the court can deviate from the guidelines.

Calculation of Child Support

Child support in Mobile, Alabama is calculated by following the steps given below:

• Basic child support obligation, child care costs and health insurance costs are usually added to calculate the amount of child support.
• The total amount of these costs is divided among the parents according to their gross income.
• The amount each parent is required to pay is calculated by multiplying the total child support by each parent's percentage share of their combined gross income.

No matter what circumstances the parents are going through, they cannot deny providing financial support to their children. A child support lawyer, Mobile, AL can help you better understand the child support guidelines.

Consequences of Not Paying Child Support

If the parent who is obligated to make child support payments, stops paying, they can be subjected to punishment by the state law. This includes:

• Interception of tax refunds
• Wage attachments
• Seizing property
• Revoking driver's licence

The family law attorneys in Mobile are required by the Child Support Enforcement Act of 1984, to help the custodial parent in collecting the child support payments.

Why Hire Us?

At Affordable Legal Help, our divorce lawyers Mobile, AL are available to provide you with advice relevant to your scenario. Contact us today to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss how we may be able to assist you.