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Alabama Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Alabama on
Q: Does Alabama have rights for an aunt if the mother dies?

So my sister died and she has 1 child. This child’s father is living, but can’t get custody of a dog if he wanted to, and has had prior cases where he was denied custody of other children. The child in question was given to his dads mom and it was court ordered for her to keep us in touch with... View More

Nelson Craig Johnson
Nelson Craig Johnson
answered on Sep 7, 2021

If the Court Order assigning custody lays out conditions that must be met then you can enforce them. However, if the Court granted custody without assigning those conditions then it is likely nothing could be done. Alabama has only recently recognized grandparents rights and the law is still a bit... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Alabama on
Q: My child's father has not been seen since I was 2 months pregnant.

He contacted me via text while I was pregnant, but never asked me about the baby. I always kept lines of communication open and told him he could ask at any time. My child is almost 1 now, he has not tried to make any contact. I changed my number (new phone) but he knows where I live. I have not... View More

Nelson Craig Johnson
Nelson Craig Johnson
answered on Jul 27, 2021

It sounds like the first thing that he would have to do is file a claim with the court requesting to establish paternity. Assuming he is the father and paternity is established he would then need to request sole or joint custody, or request that he be given visitation rights.

The key...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Juvenile Law for Alabama on
Q: Daughter is 16 and pregnant by her 17yr old boyfriend. His parents are threatening to take the child away from her.

His parents are threatening to take the baby away from her (when the baby is born) if she stops seeing him. He is verbally and emotionally abusive towards her, has exhibited controlling behaviors towards her. She believes they can do this based on what they told her a police friend told them they... View More

Shane Michael Oncale
Shane Michael Oncale
answered on May 4, 2021

If you wish to discuss this matter off line please feel free to contact me. This type of adult on child abuse makes me very angry and I would rather not air my feelings on this subject here as some may find it offensive. To start with the ages, depending on the birth dates involved, do not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Libel & Slander for Alabama on
Q: What can be done about a liable or slanderous statement involving a crime and the welfare of children?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 4, 2021

An Alabama attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for two weeks. You could reach out to attorneys in your area who handle defamation cases. As a GENERAL matter, these types of cases are not usually handled on a contingency basis like a car accident - which means that regardless of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Family Law and Military Law for Alabama on
Q: my ex husband is being activated for 6 months. he is national guard and we have 50/50 custody.

We do not have court ordered child support. We have been divorced for 2 years and has been activated several times for a period of more than 30 days. Is there a way to get temporary child support while he's away for 6 months? I have tried to ask him about it but he just says he's not... View More

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Mar 14, 2021

Each military service requires that servicemembers support dependents. You can ask his military command to require him to pay you a monthly amount. The amount is set forth in service regulations. Usually it is related to the housing allowance amount.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Alabama on
Q: Im 5k behind on child support since covid hit. I'm wondering what I should do & will I be going to jail for this?
Shane Michael Oncale
Shane Michael Oncale
answered on Feb 13, 2021

You should immediately consult an attorney or file yourself to have your child support payments suspended or at least reduced. One of the big secrets of child support that they should make you aware of when you are first ordered to pay but don't is that if something happens in your life that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Alabama on
Q: Custody/divorce paper does not include taxes. Now being threatened with jail for claiming 1 of 3 children. Best option?

I pay child support on time and am a full time college student.

Paul Ylvisaker
Paul Ylvisaker
answered on Jan 8, 2021

You are not going to jail, nor likely to face consequences. If the order is silent, then you have as much right to claim as the other parent. I would get the order amended by consent if you can agree or the court can do it for you.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Alabama on
Q: My son turned 18 and moved out of his mother's house to live with his girlfriend. Does child support continue ?

I am current on my child support

Paul Ylvisaker
Paul Ylvisaker
answered on Dec 10, 2020

As general rule, the order will not self-terminate until a new Court order is entered; states have different versions of laws governing how and when the child is emancipated and when the child support obligation ends.

While the custodial parent is not entitled to the child support on...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Civil Rights and Domestic Violence for Alabama on
Q: I have recordings proving abuse & negligence by my baby's father. Can I use this to keep him away from her/protect her?

He recently got a domestic charge (3rd degree) with another woman (called in by his neighbors). I spoke to a previous girlfriend as well & both tell me horrible things he's done to them (text).

He put our infant daughter in danger many times & screamed at her, tossed her onto... View More

Sheila Crumley Field
Sheila Crumley Field
answered on Nov 23, 2020

You have all the rights. Do not let him bully you into seeing her and possibly hurting her. You do not have to let him see her and it is bad for you if you do, knowing what he does. Go to DHR and sign up for child support. They do not do visitation nor custody. He will have to get a lawyer to get... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Health Care Law for Alabama on
Q: My niece has never been to school and she is now almost 16 years old , can her mother get in trouble ?

The two sisters are 8 and 11 and have never been to school either and their brother is almost 18 . She was saying she homeschooled the children yet never did so . The children do not know how to spell , know their left from right and can hardly even add or subtract . Yet alone don’t even have... View More

Kristine Jones
Kristine Jones
answered on Nov 23, 2020

The county DHR can help. Best of luck.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Support for Alabama on
Q: I'm paying child support for two children. One is now age 19. Does support automatically stop for him?

Do I have to send a request to the court? The mother and myself are in agreement with modifying the support, if it is not automatic. I just need to know what steps to take - i.e. forms, letter(?), etc. Are there fees?

Shane Michael Oncale
Shane Michael Oncale
answered on Nov 18, 2020

You have to go back to court for you child support to be reset with a new calculation done for the remaining child. By the way, it does not cut in half.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Alabama on
Q: My son got a girl pregnant. The girls mother is a narcissist nutcase.

Her and her mother threaten my son with not being able to see his baby if he doesn't jump to her every demand. They are 18 and 19. It will be a bigger issue once the baby gets here. Were do I start legally helping him establishing his rights

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Nov 12, 2020

The first thing your son has to do is learn what his rights are. If he wants a right to the child he is going to have to go to court. He should sign the birth certificate. If they attempt to stop him, he should register with the Putatative Father's Registery (Ala. Code 26-10C-1). After the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Alabama on
Q: My son's girlfriend and him have a 3 month old child and the girlfriend is hanging around people in probation with drugs

And pawning the baby off on her parents. The baby has my son's last name and my son is listed as the father on the birth certificate. Does my son have any rights to get his son away from this bad situation. The girls mother wants to raise the baby as hers.

Sheila Crumley Field
Sheila Crumley Field
answered on Nov 3, 2020

Yes absolutely!!! Get to a lawyer immediately and petition the court for temporary custody. Good luck!

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Alabama on
Q: My arrears is paid off, how do I stop the payments from coming out? What forms do I fill out ?

I made contact with the child support office in Shelby County, AL the office say I need to fill out a petition, she tells me CS-47, 'Petition for Termination upon Payment of Arrears' is that the petition I'm suppose to fill out. I just want some straight answers, so I can stop any... View More

Sheila Crumley Field
Sheila Crumley Field
answered on Nov 3, 2020

Go to eforms.alacourt.gov and look for form CS-37 which is the form Petition for Termination After Payment of Arrears. That’s the form

You need to fill out and file with the clerks office to stop the withholding. Good luck!

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Alabama on
Q: In the state of alabama does a teen mother have the rights to where her baby can and can’t go
Sheila Crumley Field
Sheila Crumley Field
answered on Oct 30, 2020

Yes, she’s the baby’s mother!

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Alabama on
Q: My ex-husband will not give me permission to leave the state with his children.

My children are 13 and 15. At what age can my children decide which parent they want to live with?

Shane Michael Oncale
Shane Michael Oncale
answered on Oct 26, 2020

Ok, you have 2 different questions really. First, unless there is a court order is place directing otherwise your ex-husband cannot control whether you take your children out of state. Now, you cannot move without following the relocations procedures but as far as out of state trips or visits go... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law and Small Claims for Alabama on
Q: Hi yes I just turned 18 instead of Alabama does my mother have a right to be reading my text every night
Sheila Crumley Field
Sheila Crumley Field
answered on Oct 25, 2020

The age of majority in Alabama is 19, so technically she can. And.. if she pays for the phone, then she can look at it.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Alabama on
Q: My fiancé and I have a 1yr old son. He was put down on the birth certificate but since we’ve split but he says he wants

To take him from me bc of our own personal issues (every time he comes around we fight) Do I have a leg to stand on? What can I do to get custody of my son since we are not married? Will I have to give him joint custody? Also how would child support go?He’s also very mean and I believe... View More

Sheila Crumley Field
Sheila Crumley Field
answered on Oct 25, 2020

Custody of a child born out of wedlock is vested with the mother. That means just because he is on the birth certificate doesn’t mean he has any rights. You currently have fully custody. Until he takes you to court he doesn’t have rights. Good luck!

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: I am still legally married to my wife and we are not legally separated. We have not been together for 2 years.

She knows I have been trying to get on disability for over 2 years now Since my accident when we were still together. I am almost finished with it but we haven’t been together for 2 yrs now but she hasn’t let me get my 2 sons or see them in about a year. I have not been able to help her... View More

Sheila Crumley Field
Sheila Crumley Field
answered on Oct 22, 2020

If you are still married you can go get them and there is nothing she can do about it. You both have equal custody. But if you do, she will probably go file something immediately to give her temporary custody. Then you will have to petition the court for interim visitation prior to the final... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Family Law and Personal Injury for Alabama on
Q: How do I find my dead fathers lawsuit from the accident that led to his death

I would like to probate the lawsuit since he left no will and testament

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 20, 2020

An Alabama attorney could answer best, but your post remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for the loss of your father. If the case was placed into suit, you could look into whether it appears in any of the online resources of uniform court systems. Nationwide, more and more court systems have... View More

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