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Alabama Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Alabama on
Q: Grounds for termination of parental rights?

We have had custody of a family member since she was 4 months old. (Currently 4 years old) she was removed from her mom (dad unknown) right after birth due to the baby testing positive for meth. Mom has a long standing drug history and a lengthy criminal history associated. A couple months after... View More

Shane Michael Oncale
Shane Michael Oncale
answered on Sep 16, 2023

Well, first and foremost being in a courtroom battle is one of the most stressful times in anyone's life. Whether your counsel is appointed or retained you want and I would say need to feel comfortable with your representation. If you are not happy and don't feel comfortable it is wise... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Probate for Alabama on
Q: If aunt lives in Alabama, parents and minor live in Georgia where would they file for guardianship of the minor?

Parents would consent

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 12, 2023

In cases where the parents and the minor child reside in Georgia, and the aunt lives in Alabama, it's typically appropriate to file for guardianship in the state where the child resides, which is Georgia in this scenario. Guardianship matters are generally filed in the state where the child is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Alabama on
Q: Does Shelby county Al DHR drug test for kratom
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 5, 2023

kratom was not typically included in standard drug tests. Drug testing panels generally focus on common illicit substances like marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Libel & Slander and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: i am a defendant in a frivolous defamation lawsuit. what can i do to get it dismissed

We have a child custody case to which we created a GoFundMe to help with the attorney fees. It hasn't garnered much money but everything helps as this has gone on for almost 5 years. The spouse of the mother of the children has filed a lawsuit against me and my son for defamation for stating... View More

P. Vaughan Russell Jr.
P. Vaughan Russell Jr.
answered on Aug 3, 2023

Unfortunately, you will probably not be able to have the lawsuit dismissed immediately.

The individual claiming defamation does not have to be specifically identified by name in order to have a defamation claim. Whether this person has a colorable claim for defamation depends, at least in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Alabama on
Q: Can I take my child across state lines without my husband's consent? We are married and have no court custody order

We are married. My husband has been having some issues with substance abuse and I want to take our child to my aunts house in another state for a while, while hopefully my husband gets clean. But I would need to go without telling him or he wouldn't let us go, but I feel it would be safer for... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 26, 2023

No. With no custody order in place, you are free to travel within the United States with your child without the consent of your spouse.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: Ex is military. Child support is 25%. It hasn't increased even though he has gotten raises. How can I get it adjusted?

Divorce was finalized in TX. He is now stationed in WA. I live in AL.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 10, 2023

If you want to have the child support amount adjusted due to your ex's increased income, you would generally need to file a petition for modification of child support.

In your case, since the divorce was finalized in Texas but your ex is now stationed in Washington and you live in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Divorce and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: My husband and I are getting divorced.Own home with renters who have lease.Does lease stand before we have to sell?

Lease is until 3/2025. I don’t want to evict them due to divorce and having to split assets.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 30, 2023

The contractual right to receive rents will be marital property, which must be addressed specifically in the Divorce. Dealing with tenants, evictions, maintenance, and any other rental duty, must be expressed in clear terms as to who has authority and the duty. Also a potential term should be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: My 17yr old wants to live with me (father) and not their mom. Mother says she wants her to come back but child refuses t

I live in AL mother lives in GA

Don Oliver Keene
Don Oliver Keene
answered on Jul 4, 2023

It sounds like you are in a difficult situation here. Unfortunately, we do not really have enough information here to really help you with this question. Some important context would be like whether or not there is a custody agreement or plan in place, and where was that plan ordered, in Alabama or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Alabama on
Q: How do I obtain a list of mental health providers names from the opposing party Lee county Alabama

I have requested a signed HIPPA release form for all mental health providers, I have also requested the list of providers through a request for production

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 21, 2023

That’s more properly the subject of an interrogatory than a request for production.

If no such list already exists, a request for production does not require one to be created.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Alabama on
Q: The father of my child left us in the hospital. He never reached out and never signed a birth certificate. She’s 4 now,

My fiancé wants to adopt. How long do we have to be married for? Can he adopt before marriage?

Don Oliver Keene
Don Oliver Keene
answered on Jun 14, 2023

It would probably be best to get married first and then adopt. Even though the biological father is not on the birth certificate he is still legally the father and has rights, so when you and your future husband do get married and he (your future husband) goes to adopt your child, you and your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: Can my husband adopt my son with no father listed on birth cert. & bio dad has signed over rights w/o dealing with him?

My son's Biological dad signed his rights away when my son was 3 days old and isn't even on the birth certificate. My now husband of 9 years(married almost 5 of those) wants to adopt him. We have no contact with the bio-dad and would rather not ever deal with him ever again. Do we have to... View More

Shane Michael Oncale
Shane Michael Oncale
answered on May 18, 2023

The short answer is YES. What you propose is a step parent adoption and they are very common. In one procedure/hearing you will terminate birth dads rights and have your husband adopt the child with a new birth certificate, last name, everything. There are some steps advised and you will need to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Rights for Alabama on
Q: I am renting a room from abusive sister. What's my expectations of privacy. Can she come in my room anytime?

She has given me 2 months to vacate but growing increasingly agitated with me. I'm not on the lease. She won't allow me to put a lock on the door.

Comes in and goes through my things.

Allan Lamar Armstrong
Allan Lamar Armstrong
answered on May 8, 2023

You could possibly have a claim. It will likely depend on your rental agreement and reasonable expectation of privacy.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Alabama on
Q: My father in law just passed away. He set it up to where on his death his 1.5 acres with his house and another

Unattached 50 acres were automatically deeded to my husband and his sister. He had a mortgage. The sister says she wants nothing to do with the house or land so my husband asked her to sign a quit claim deed so that the bank will let him redo the mortgage and pay it off. She says that it has to go... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 1, 2023

Your statements do not make sense. However a possible solution is have an AL attorney search the title, and draft a Quit Claim Deed for the one or two tracts to be conveyed from the Sister to your Husband. Sister would not have any financial or legal obligations.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: is it illegal for me and my girlfriend to run away out of the country im 16 and she is 14. if so how much trouble would

we be in?

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Apr 24, 2023

The short answer is that you would be in a world of trouble. You and she are both minors, and cannot yet be emancipated -- that is seen as adults-- because of your ages. You are barely outside the limits of the age difference that would make having sex with your 14 year old girlfriend illegal. If... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: My friends child accidentally filled her Water bottle with alchol that was in the fridge and brought it to school.

My friends child accidentally filled her Water bottle with alchol that was in the fridge and brought it to school. She was getting ready for work and asked her 8yr old to fill her water bottle from the water purifier in the fridge. She had a bottle of clear alchol in the refrigerator and the child... View More

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Mar 30, 2023

I think she should sit tight. If her facts are as she states, and she can convince a judge of that, she won't have a problem. What was the "clear alcohol?" If it was gin, it makes sense.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: Does next of kin inherit deceased mothers debt

My husbands mom is in an Alabama nursing home and is up to her teeth in debt. Will we inherit that debt?

Kristine Jones
Kristine Jones
answered on Apr 5, 2023

Hello. Thank you for your question. No. Debts do not survive after the person who created the debt passes. Best wishes to you and your family.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Alabama on
Q: Can a property and home be sold if the deed is in someone else's name?

people whose names on the deed are both deceased. There was no will reading, no one truly knew who it went to. It was sold recently by a family member without telling others, and then resold two weeks later to someone else.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 13, 2023

The actual Heirs need an AL attorney now to file suit for Ejectment. It will be difficult and expensive but the alternative is losing the property forever very quickly. A Title Search should be performed first so that all interested parties are sued.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Alabama on
Q: Brother not letting me find out about royalties due me. What can I do?

It's an old estate from grandparents.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 2, 2023

A good start will be hiring an AL attorney to sue for an Accounting. The SOL and Discovery will be significant issues. Collection of any Judgment may also be difficult.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: Ex provides health insurance via military benefit. Refuses to pay half of uncovered expenses.

12yo is covered by health insurance by ex. This year we have incurred $400+ uncovered medical bills and she is starting orthodontic treatment soon ~$6800. Ex states the portion his benefits cover (for example, $1700 of braces) count as his payment towards these bills. Insurance does not exceed 5%... View More

Shane Michael Oncale
Shane Michael Oncale
answered on Jan 30, 2023

Your order should cover what is to occur with uncovered medical expenses and deductibles. If it does and he is in violation then you can take him to court to hold him in contempt and enforce the provisions. If for some reason there is no such provisions you need to go back to court to have them... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Immigration Law, Child Support and Civil Rights for Alabama on
Q: As a 20-year-old Christian, if I am at the age of 20 and the age of majority in Alabama is 19, then what would happen i

As a 20-year-old Christian, if I am at the age of 20 and the age of majority in Alabama is 19, then what would happen if I moved to Mississippi, in which the age of majority is 21? Will I turn back into a boy in that state?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 26, 2023

The age of majority is governed by the law of the state with the most significant relationship to the contract or transaction in question. Your place of residence at the time of the contract or transaction will be a meaningful contact in that analysis.

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