Family Law Attorney Birmingham AL

Birmingham Family Law

Dealing with divorce, child custody, adoption, child support, and other family law issues can be stressful as well as emotionally draining. The myriad challenges and obstacles that can arise can cause a family to feel lost and torn—which is why professional guidance is so essential.

We are Birmingham family law advocates who believe in offering sincere, compassionate, and caring legal services for our clients. We represent a wide range of clients going through difficult times and needing veteran guidance and support in the following areas.

Divorce

Marriage is a beautiful commitment between two people. However, we understand sometimes it’s in the best interests of all involved for the marriage to come to an end. Going through the pain and turmoil of a divorce can be one of the hardest things anyone ever has to do.

As Birmingham, Alabama divorce lawyers, our clients’ emotional well-being is just as important to us as their legal well-being. We know how quickly a divorce case can become contentious. Whether you’re going through a contested divorce or an uncontested divorce, having a divorce lawyer who understands the intricacies of Alabama law pertaining to divorce and who will work tirelessly to achieve the best outcome for you is paramount.

We’ll ensure you understand each of the following steps of the divorce process in Alabama:

1. File a complaint establishing grounds for divorce.
2. Receive an answer from your spouse and their attorney within thirty days. They can either agree to the terms (making it an uncontested divorce) and have them finalized by a family law judge, or they can file a counterclaim, making it a contested divorce that requires negotiation.
3. Attorneys begin the discovery process.
4. Negotiate a settlement agreement or go to trial.
5. Go to trial and receive judgment on any unresolved terms.

Divorce matters are hardly ever easy. But as Birmingham family lawyers, we strive to make the divorce process as smooth and respectful as possible for all involved while also achieving success for our client. We’ll discuss what’s important to you regarding property, marital assets, alimony, whether it’s a fault-based or no-fault divorce and other legal matters that could impact your case.

Child Custody

As Birmingham family law attorneys with over 13 years of experience, we’ve seen our fair share of child custody cases. When it comes to advocating for your rights to your child and your child’s right to a relationship with their parents, you need a family lawyer who’s qualified and capable. The outcome of a child custody agreement can affect your child for the rest of their life. We take every step to put the best interests of the children first.

In Vestavia Hills and other Alabama cities, there are four kinds of child custody:

• Joint custody: decision-making authority and responsibilities of the children is shared between both parents.
• Sole custody: one parent has sole or only legal and/or physical custody and decision-making authority over the children.
• Physical custody: decision-making authority over the children’s physical well-being, including where they live
• Legal custody: decision-making authority over the children’s upbringing, including school, religion, healthcare, etc.

Whether this is your first time negotiating a child custody agreement or you’re revisiting an old agreement, as your Birmingham child custody lawyers, we’ll provide the premium, professional legal service you need. We’ve worked with the custodial parent and the non-custodial parent in the Birmingham area to negotiate and renegotiate child custody terms that are in the best interest of the children.

Child Support

The primary goal of child support is to provide for your child’s basic needs, such as food, housing, clothing, education, and healthcare. In Alabama, child support laws are designed to ensure that both parents financially contribute to the well-being of their children. If the parents were never legally married, Jefferson County, and other counties in Alabama, require paternity to be established before child support orders are issued.

Child support guidelines in Alabama are established to ensure fairness and consistency in determining the amount of support paid by the other parent. Key aspects of establishing child support payments through Alabama courts include income consideration and custodial arrangements. Typically the custodial parent receives payment from the non-custodial parent.

There are three important aspects of court-ordered child support that Alabama residents should consider:

1. It is legally enforceable by wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and driver’s license suspension, and other measures.
2. It can be modified upon request based on a change in circumstances, such as income or the child’s needs.
3. It does not always terminate at the age of majority or high school graduation. Child support may continue if your child has special needs or decides to go to college.

Child support is a legal obligation, and both parents are responsible for providing financial support for their children. Consulting with an experienced family law attorney who can give you personal attention and guidance tailored to your specific situation will yield the best result in complicated legal issues like this.

Adoption

Whether you and your spouse are growing your family by adopting a relative who needs you, going through a private adoption process domestically or internationally, or adopting through DHR, our family law firm in Birmingham, Alabama, is equipped to ensure your adoption journey goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. And although expanding your family is an exciting time, it can also be stressful with various bumps in the road.

Vella and King family lawyers are highly experienced in Shelby County and other Birmingham, AL court systems to help you prepare for the adoption process, explain Alabama adoption laws, represent you in court hearings, handle the court filings, obtain necessary consent, etc. Alabama has many laws regarding the adoption process, including adoption eligibility and who is legally allowed to adopt a child. Before the state puts a child’s life in your hands, it will want to know that you and your spouse are fully prepared to supply them with what they need to live a healthy, happy life.

Hiring a compassionate, empathetic family lawyer to support you and advocate for you through this process will make all the difference in the long, complicated, and life-changing series of events that adoption is. Let us help your family grow! Contact us today for an initial consultation.