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Alabama Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Are there legal requirements for remotely renting storage units in Alabama?

I own storage units that I want to rent out for personal use. I'm considering using an online platform to manage the rental process remotely. Are there any legal requirements or restrictions I should be aware of when renting storage units remotely, or is having a physical office necessary?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2025

Renting out your storage units remotely in Alabama involves understanding and complying with both state regulations and local ordinances. Alabama's Self-Service Storage Statute, updated in October 2021, outlines the responsibilities of storage facility owners, including lien procedures and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Alabama on
Q: What happens after DT parole and asylum application in Alabama?

I crossed the border under DT parole and applied for asylum through an attorney in 2022. I have received my SSN and work permit, but I haven't had a hearing yet. What should I expect next in this process?

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answered on Apr 13, 2025

Since you have been granted DT (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) parole and have applied for asylum, your next steps will depend on the progression of your asylum case. While you are waiting for your hearing, you are allowed to live and work in the U.S. as long as your work permit remains... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Municipal Law for Alabama on
Q: Noise ordinance in Saint Clair County, AL for loud music disturbances?

In Saint Clair County, Alabama, is there a noise ordinance regarding loud music being played over speakers that's disturbing the neighborhood? There's a neighbor who randomly plays loud music for varying lengths of time during the week, whether at night, in the morning, or during the day.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Does fiancé have entitlement to house if documents are in daughter's name?

My daughter and her fiancé each took out separate personal signature loans—she borrowed $12,000 and he borrowed $15,000. He also withdrew $7,000 from his 401k, while she has accumulated a $4,500 credit card debt for household items. The house's bill of sale, lease, property, insurance, and... View More

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answered on Apr 12, 2025

In Alabama, ownership of a house generally depends on whose name is on the title or bill of sale, not who contributed money unless there was an agreement to share ownership. Since all house-related documents—including the bill of sale, lease, insurance, and utilities—are in your daughter’s... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Alabama on
Q: Trademark status of 'Dirty South Co' for clothing brand in Alabama.

I am planning to use the name 'Dirty South Co' for a clothing brand that I am currently selling. I have not conducted any trademark searches or consultations yet. Is 'Dirty South Co' trademarked, and are there any potential trademark disputes I should be aware of?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

It's wise to be cautious when selecting a brand name, especially in the clothing industry where trademarks are common. The phrase "Dirty South" has been used in various trademarks related to apparel. For instance, "DIRTY SOUTH BOUTIQUE" is an active registered trademark for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Probate for Alabama on
Q: Can guns given to brother be excluded from estate with witnesses?

My husband's father passed away, and before his passing, he gave his guns to his brother during a time when he was suicidal. The uncle now claims the firearms were gifted to him, but the executor of the estate mentioned that if there are witnesses, the guns don't belong to the estate.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This kind of situation can be really emotional, especially when there are questions about fairness and family disagreements. If the firearms were truly gifted before your husband's father passed, they may not be part of the estate—but without written proof, it becomes a matter of testimony... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Alabama on
Q: Could the mother regain custody of the children after 5.5 years out of contact?

I have been engaged to my fiancé for six years, and during this time, we have been caring for his three daughters from a previous relationship. The children's mother and her partner struggled with drug issues, and 5.5 years ago, they left the children with us for their wellbeing. Although I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

Your situation is heartbreaking and complex, especially with so much responsibility falling on you and your fiancé for so long. Because there have been no formal custody proceedings, the mother may technically still have parental rights. However, her long absence, history of drug use, and lack of... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Municipal Law for Alabama on
Q: What are the noise regulations for a DJ in residential areas at 8 PM in Alabama?

I want to avoid any problems related to noise levels while DJing in a residential area at 8:00 PM. What is the legal sound limit for this situation, and are there any specific local ordinances or regulations I should be aware of?

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims, Traffic Tickets and Gov & Administrative Law for Alabama on
Q: What steps can I take if my vehicle was towed and claimed as abandoned without notice?

I am the legal owner of a truck in Alabama and hold the title. On March 28, 2025, my truck was towed after a traffic stop. Initially, an officer allowed my friend, who was purchasing the truck, to return later to move it, but another officer insisted on towing it under a "highway safety... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

It sounds like a frustrating situation, especially given that you weren’t notified until much later. The first step is to **gather all the evidence** you have, including the title proving you’re the legal owner of the truck, any records of your conversations with the officers or the tow yard,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: How can I address my truck being towed without notice, leading to accumulating storage fees in Alabama?

I own a truck, and a friend was driving it when it was pulled over for a headlight issue. At the scene, one officer deemed it okay for the driver to walk home since it was nearby. However, a second officer insisted on towing it due to highway safety regulations. My friend did not inform me of the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This is an incredibly frustrating situation, especially when you had no knowledge your truck had been towed and storage fees piled up without your consent or timely notice. In Alabama, the law does require that vehicle owners be notified after a tow, but unfortunately, the responsibility for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Domestic Violence for Alabama on
Q: How can I have my aunt in Virginia gain custody?

I am 16 years old and currently living with my grandmother in Alabama after being removed from my mother's care in Texas due to domestic violence and poor living conditions. Although I was placed with my grandmother, I am unsure if she has legal custody or if my mother retains control over... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2025

First, it’s important to find out who currently has legal custody of you. If your grandmother has custody, she would generally have the legal authority to make decisions about where you live, but it’s crucial to confirm this. Since you were removed from your mother’s care due to safety... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: How to find a pro bono divorce lawyer in Alabama?

I am seeking a pro bono lawyer to help me with the beginning stages of a divorce in Alabama. There are children involved, and I need guidance on child custody and support, as well as division of assets. How can I find pro bono legal assistance for this process?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2025

Navigating a divorce with children in Alabama can be challenging, especially when seeking pro bono legal assistance. Start by contacting Legal Services Alabama at 1-866-456-4995 or applying online through their website. They provide free legal aid to low-income individuals and may assist with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Contracts, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Challenging foreclosure without prior default notice in Alabama

I have been owner-financing my home for 10 years in Alabama, and after catching up on missed payments, the lender sent me a certified letter of Acceleration of Debt/Foreclosure without any prior notice of default. The mortgage agreement states that the lender must provide a notice of default and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

It’s completely understandable that you’re feeling stuck—QDROs can be complicated, especially when the employer isn’t cooperating. If your divorce decree already includes specific instructions for the QDRO, that’s a great first step. However, it won’t be effective until it’s properly... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Can my ex-wife take my land and house if she refuses to sign a deed?

I was awarded half of the land and house during my divorce, while my ex-wife received the other half, which was 10 acres. She refuses to sign a quitclaim deed to transfer the property as outlined in our divorce agreement. Recently, she sold her portion of the land, and I suspect she's... View More

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answered on Apr 12, 2025

This situation sounds very stressful, especially given the uncertainty and potential for conflict. Based on your divorce agreement, the property division should have been finalized when the court issued the decree, and your ex-wife does not have the right to take your land or house unless there was... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Served in partition lawsuit without ownership or standing in Alabama property.

I have been living with my partner for about 14 years in a home inherited by her and her three siblings, where she owns 1/4 of the property. We have children together, but we're not married, nor am I listed on any property documents or have any signed agreements regarding my stay. Despite... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

Probably because you are in possession of the subject real property. Title and Possession are two different things.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Alabama on
Q: Husband has warrant for probation violation in AL. What to do?

My husband received a public intoxication charge in Shelby County, AL, in 2011 and completed everything except attending required classes due to work commitments in Jefferson County. A warrant was issued for his probation violation. He is currently working in Georgia and seeks advice on the best... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

If your husband has a warrant for a probation violation, the first thing he should do is address the warrant as soon as possible. Ignoring it can lead to more serious consequences, such as being arrested and potentially facing additional charges. He should consider contacting the Shelby County... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Insurance Bad Faith for Alabama on
Q: Can short-term disability classify a hematoma after heart ablation as pre-existing?

I have a short-term disability insurance policy, and I've developed a hematoma in my leg two weeks after having an ablation procedure on my heart. The hematoma wrapped around the muscle and sciatic nerve, causing numbness and severe pain in my leg. My insurer is considering this condition as... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

What you’re experiencing sounds incredibly painful and stressful, especially when you're trying to heal and now facing uncertainty with your disability benefits. In Alabama, short-term disability policies can legally include clauses that deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, but the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation and Criminal Law for Alabama on
Q: Can someone press charges for reclaiming a car sold without completed payment?

I sold a car to someone in Alabama with a verbal agreement that they would pay $3,500 in total. They paid $1,000 upfront, with a remaining balance of $2,500. There was no paperwork done. After two weeks, they still hadn't paid the remaining amount, so I went to her house and took back the car,... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This is a really stressful situation, especially since there was no written contract to back up the verbal agreement. The good news is that since the car is still legally in your name and the buyer failed to pay in full, you likely still have ownership rights under Alabama law. That being said,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts, Personal Injury and Products Liability for Alabama on
Q: Can I be personally sued for soap issues sold through LLC in AL?

I manufacture soap using natural ingredients with added fragrance oil and dye, both safe for soap making. My stepdaughter sells the soap through her LLC's online boutique; she operates in Mississippi while I manufacture in Alabama. We're concerned about potential liability issues. I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This is a completely valid concern, especially since you're making the product without the protection of a business entity. Because you're manufacturing the soap as an individual and not through an LLC or corporation of your own, you *can* be personally sued if someone has an issue—like... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Alabama on
Q: what are my options on appealing covid related unemployment repayment?

i got covid back in may 2020 and had to be out of work for 6 weeks so during that time i filed for unemployment.

about a year later i started receiving letters from the dept. of labor saying i owed all that unemployment back. every time i would receive one of those letters i would send in... View More

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answered on Apr 12, 2025

It’s frustrating to be in this situation, especially since you’ve been trying to resolve it over time. If the Department of Labor has ruled that you owe $5,200 for unemployment benefits, it’s important to review their decision carefully. Since you were unaware of the difference between... View More

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