Alabama Family Law Questions & Answers
Q: Can my husband of 6 years adopt my 12.5 year old son ? Does the biological father have to consent?
I was 15 when I had my son out of wedlock. I had my sons last name changed to my maiden name right before he turned 3 ,due to his biological father being absent . We have a dhr child support order , that he pays on and off . Currently hasn't paid since August of 2018. He hasn't seen my son since he... Read more »
The short answer is yes. There appears from what you have said to have been a more than 6 months period during which there has neither been emotional or financial support provided by the father and therefore the child is considered abandoned and can be adopted under Alabama statute by the step... Read more »
Q: How do I stop wage garnishments that we’re supposed to be ended by a judges order?
A stop withholding order was issued by a judge but my paychecks are still being garnished months later. I was current on all payments and not behind at all. Do I contact my employer or the child support payment system? My lawyer hasn’t responded.
It is a simple process to file to stop an IWO once there is a Court Order to do so. I see that you are represented by counsel, so you need to contact your lawyer. I assume there is a Court Order saying you no longer owe support and have no arearrage.
Q: Adultery, Divorce, Custody/Child Support and Alimony
My husband and I have been married for 14 years. Both of us have committed adultery during the marriage but he left me and our son who is now 11 twice during the 14 years. Now we both want divorce and I want alimony due to low finances on my end. He wants joint custody, only so that he doesn't have... Read more »
You have a lot of facts here, and they are all important to the questions you ask. You need an attorney to address these. Go to legal aid, or find the money to hire someone. If he has had sex with you after learning of your infidelity, he can't sue you on grounds of adultery. If he left you for... Read more »
Q: Mother is married for immigration purposes. How can the husband disestablish paternity without going to court?
Mother married an immigrant so he can get his green card. Biological father wants to see his kids but the mother refuses to let him see his children. He took her to court and told the judge she is married. By law the immigrant is the legal father. The biological father hasn’t seen his children in... Read more »
You can get all of this done with a court order, but you can't do it without going to Court. The mother should file a paternity action in the county where she and the children live.
Q: Do I need to petition for custody?
I am the mother of a child. Her dad and I were never married. We did sign an affidavit of paternity at birth. I have started a case with DHR for child support. Am I automatically considered the custodial parent or do I have to petition for custody? The child primarily lives with me and I am... Read more »
DHR can only help you with support. If you want to settle custodial issues you must file your own action. The court will hear both of them at the same time, however.
Q: At 16 ( almost 17 ) can I choose to go live with my mom full time. ( right now I have to switch houses every week )
Hello. No, until you are 19, you are covered under the Court order from your parent's divorce or custody matter. It sounds like you need to discuss this issue with your parents and let them take the necessary legal steps to make this happen. It has possible child support and tax implications, which... Read more »
Q: Where can i find online the AL codes/doc to file a conservatorship &codes to file for revocation of demented mothers POA
My 92yo mother is in my care now, as my sister.. her POA has not been taking appropriate care of her. She has dementia, and is unwilling to use my mothers social security to help provide sitters for care..she is a total care patient. I am 75yo and need help. The courthouse said i could look online... Read more »
Some probate courts have forms and code information online. I would look at some of the larger counties such as Montgomery or Mobile. On the POA, it all depends on the language in the document. Generally, the person that granted the POA is the one that files to have it revoked but in this... Read more »
Q: I am wanting to know how I can take possession of a vehicle from my kids grandparents and their dad?
Their dad doesn't have a license and their grandfathers should be revoked, their grandmother is ill and isn't in her right mind. This isn't for personal gain this is for my kids
You can't take some other person's property just because you want it. Who owns the vehicle? If you don't own it, and you don't have a judgment against the person who does own it, you have no right to it.
Q: How do I file for divorce with no child support owed, no visitation given, and minimal rights without a lawyer?
The ex will agree. He is already an absent father. We have been separated for 7 years. The child is 8. He is only now consenting to divorce because he wants to get remarried. I want nothing from him but a divorce as well. The child does not have a relationship with his father, due to his absence.
Hello, there is no way to file for an uncontested divorce without an attorney. You also cannot waive child support obligations without an extremely good reason. All three child support forms are mandatory, not optional, and must be filed with the divorce filings. You should have a consultation with... Read more »
Q: How long does a person live with someone before they are considered common law married in Alabama and one still married
To someone else
No common law marriage in ALabama may be established by conduct after January 1 , 2017. In other words, if a couple is not married by common law before that date, they cannot become married by common law after that date. Conduct that would establish a common law marriage before that date can be... Read more »
Q: Two kids same ex wife, 1 will be 19 years old? Can i request stop the child support of the 19th years old in Alabama .
I pay $600 monthly (in the documents said i should pay 160 total but i was adding money a few times tru the years until i got to this amount), this is the total for both kids but papers don't specify anything for each except 160 total , my kid are from same ex wife. They live in alabama, i live in... Read more »
The only way to get out of child support for you child that has aged out is to go back to court and recalculate child support for one child. Unless you can reach a blind agreement with the mother on the amount to be paid and filed an uncontested modification you are going to be in a position where... Read more »
Q: If the father is paying child support can the child's mother keep the dad from seeing child?
Woman used man to get pregnant. Petitioned him to pay child support. Wages are garnished. Father has never met child. Can mother keep father from seeing child?
Father needs to file a petition for custody and visitation. When DHR files a child support case it is for child support and child support only. Custody and visitation are different subjects and unless the father raised them in a pleading, which apparently he did not, then he leaves the courthouse... Read more »
Q: Good morning. I was divorced in 2013 our house in was supposed to be sold and monies split. Can I take him to court?
It was to be sold within a reasonable time period. He refuses to respond to any requests. It's in our divorce decree, I am having financial problems. I never got a walk through, he still has some of my property. I only want what is written.
Yes. If your ex spouse has failed to follow a provision in your Divorce Decree you can file a petition seeking to have him held in contempt. If successful a finding of contempt will force him to do what he has not done and may entitle you to attorney fees as well. You should get with an attorney... Read more »
Q: Can I get alimony if I divorce my husband? 7 years married and no children. He is not being fair to my rights as wife.
Hello. It depends. There are many factors that impact alimony. Please have a consultation with an attorney in your area who can discuss your specific facts and give you the best advice on your chances. Best of luck!
Q: If a mother can be proven unfit can she be put on child support?
The father knows that there is a higher percentage of men on child support than women. The mother has the child during the week but refuses to pay for any medical bills, any milk, or anything else the child needs. She puts all bills off on ther father expecting him to pay for it
Hello. Fitness or unfitness is not what child support is based on. The custody arrangement determines who should receive the child support, then the number is calculated based on the Child Support Guidelines. As far as expenses go, the child support order may address who pays for what. If it... Read more »
Q: My mom is 70 my brother lives with her in Alabama he is emotionally and physically abusive to her.
She has called Madison county sheriff's, they refuse to take him to jail.There is children in the home my mother has custody of a 5 year old and 2 year old. My brother is on that crystal meth and he is in a pain clinic as well he has his son pee in a cup when he goes also they sell there sons... Read more »
Hello, you should seek an elder law attorney immediately. If true, this may be elder abuse and there is an order of protection that a court can order. Please contact an attorney in north Alabama to help you help your mother. Best of luck to you and your family.
Q: My husband abandoned me and my two children seven years ago, can I file for spousal support and child support? How?
If your husband has been gone that long you need to file for divorce and in that petition seek alimony and child support. If your children are under the age of 19 and in your care you can still get child support. Depending on the jurisdiction some judges will let you reach back up to 2 years for... Read more »
Q: Can a lawyer order me NOT to take my medication while I have my kids. Antidepressant, heart , blood , & anxiety meds?
A "lawyer" can't order you to do anything. Only a judge could enter an Order.
Q: My son is 19, he works part time but he is going to college, he has ADD, can I get more CS?
N/a
Is your son already 19 years old? Is the able to go to college? You have answered your own question. He is an adult. THe time has passed for you to attempt to convince the COurt that he is disabled. You should visit a lawyer in your home county so he or she can go over all of the facts with you and... Read more »
Q: How do you find out if someone is legally married to two people
Is my marriage to this person legal
A person can only be married to one person at a time. If the person is married, and then attempts to marry another person, then the marriage to the second person is not valid. You would have to first determine that there is no common law marriage involved, then you need to know where the person got... Read more »
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