If you are seeking a divorce in Alabama, a Madison divorce attorney at Leigh Daniel Family Law can assist you. We are proud to offer compassionate legal representation to help you move forward during a challenging time in your life. From issues involving property division and spousal support to those of child custody and visitation, Leigh Daniel Family Law will develop legal strategies based on your goals and advocate on your behalf throughout the divorce process.
Call today to discuss Alabama divorce requirements in a free, 30-minute consultation with one of our Associate Attorneys.
Your Emotional Journey and How We Can Help in Madison
How do you find a Madison divorce lawyer to represent you? You look for a firm with experience, a track record of favorable results, and the acclaim of their fellow attorneys.
At Leigh Daniel Family Law, we understand that divorce can be an emotional rollercoaster. We care about your emotional well-being and will be on your side throughout the divorce process. Divorce is a period of considerable change in anyone’s life. We focus on helping clients seek positive changes in their lives. We strive to offer our clients the personal attention they deserve during this difficult time.
The attorneys at Leigh Daniel Family Law have been serving the people of Madison city for three decades. Our knowledge of the local family law courts in north Alabama and experience pursuing favorable outcomes for clients make us the right choice when seeking a Madison divorce lawyer.
How to Navigate Divorce in Madison
In Alabama, you can seek a no-fault divorce. The legal grounds for a no-fault divorce under Alabama law are the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage or incompatibility. Irretrievable breakdown of a marriage means that any further attempt at reconciliation between the spouses would be futile and not in the best interest of either party. Incompatibility means that the parties can no longer live together. The person filing for a no-fault divorce does not need to prove anything other than that they no longer wish to be married to their spouse.
If you have questions about how to file for divorce in Alabama, seek an experienced Madison divorce lawyer to assist you. Based on your situation, your attorney will discuss whether proceeding with a no-fault divorce is the right step for you.
At Leigh Daniel Family Law, a Madison city divorce lawyer can guide you through the following steps of a no-fault divorce:
- Meeting residency requirements– Before filing for divorce, you or your spouse must be a resident of Alabama for six months. The divorce pleadings must be filed in the county of residence.
- Completing the appropriate paperwork– You will need to fill out various forms and paperwork, including a complaint, a summons, and a settlement agreement that you and your spouse have signed. If you do not have minor children or assets and debts for the court to divide, your attorney can use forms PS-08 and PS-09 to expedite the process.
- Filing the paperwork with the relevant court– Once your attorney completes the necessary forms, they will be filed in the appropriate court, along with payment of the required filing fee. Your divorce attorney will handle case management deadlines and meet all subsequent filing requirements.
- Serve your spouse– You must then inform your spouse of your intention to get a divorce. This involves serving them copies of the relevant divorce papers by certified mail or using a process server.
Why Legal Support is Crucial in Divorce Cases
As your local Madison family law attorneys, we are well-equipped to handle your divorce case. We are familiar with the county courts and the people who work in them, helping us offer you personal representation with a thorough knowledge of the local court system. We are prepared to handle all the legal complexities in your Madison divorce case. You do not have to navigate the process alone.
What Are The Key Factors That Affect Divorce Outcomes?
Many factors contribute to the outcome of your divorce, including:
- Assets and liabilities– The overall value of your property, including your home, joint bank accounts, retirement accounts, and personal property, can complicate your divorce proceedings if you and your spouse cannot agree on their value or distribution.
- Whether you have children– Shared children complicate any divorce. Potentially contentious matters involving custody, support, and visitation schedules must be resolved. If you and your spouse cannot agree about any of these issues, the court will weigh what is in the child’s best interests when making decisions about custody and support. A skilled lawyer for child support in Madison can assist you during this process.
- The judge and the law –If your case is not settled with a negotiated agreement, the matter will go to trial, at which point Alabama law will dictate how your assets are divided. If you and your spouse cannot resolve the issues in dispute prior to trial, the judge will determine the outcome of your case.
How Are Assets Divided During a Divorce?
Alabama divides a couple’s assets according to equitable distribution standards. While courts recognize that the couple’s joint assets belong to both parties, marital property does not include the property each spouse brought into the marriage. As such, the couple, with the assistance of their lawyers, must determine which assets are marital property and which belong to an individual spouse. Once the parties determine what items are marital property, the court will divide them based on specific factors, including the length of the marriage and each spouse’s income.
Talk to a Compassionate Divorce Lawyer in Madison
At Leigh Daniel Family Law, we are committed to helping you resolve your divorce case in Madison while providing positive support throughout the process. The importance of having professional legal guidance when pursuing a divorce cannot be overstated. Call today for a case consultation to learn more about our unwavering dedication to your emotional and legal well-being throughout your divorce case.
