Author: Leigh Daniel, Attorney at Law

When Is Property Considered Abandoned After Divorce?

Alabama law requires a divorcing couple to divide their marital property in an equitable manner as part of their divorce settlement. But in cases of abandonment – one spouse leaving and ceasing contact with the other – the remaining spouse may have ownership rights to property that is legally abandoned….

Grounds for Grandparents to File for Custody Of Grandchild

In nearly all child custody disputes in Alabama, the court will base its decisions primarily on what is in the best interest of the child. In some cases, this leads to the determination that the child’s grandparents are better suited than the parents to raise a child. Deciding to raise…

How to Spot a Narcissist in a Relationship – Warnings & Signs

Narcissistic personality disorder describes a mental health condition where someone has an unreasonably high sense of their own worth and importance. People who are narcissists seek constant approval, attention, and admiration. When they don’t receive it, they quickly become toxic. A relationship where one person is a narcissist is doomed….

Military Retirement Division

Many times, people who have served in the military are frustrated dividing their military retirement with their spouse.   However, it’s a divisible asset when the parties divorce.  The amount that is awarded will be determined by the time during the marriage that coincides with the military service. For instance, if…

Do Both Parties Have To Agree To Divorce?

Undoubtedly, divorce is easier when both parties agree that it is the right thing to do and they come to terms on issues that must be resolved. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. There are many potential reasons why one spouse may not want to get divorced. But in…

Issues and Considerations in High Asset Divorce

Divorce is never easy and is often an emotionally trying time for all involved. But for those couples with high assets, the prospect of a high-asset divorce can be especially daunting and complex. Not only do these divorcing couples have to deal with the emotional distress that comes with ending…

Will being in the military affect my custodial rights?

I remember when I was a young lawyer fighting the child custody case of my life for a Major in the US Army in Madison County. I was the underdog with two much older and more expensive lawyers as my opponents. My client was the far better choice for custody…

 Is Alabama a No-Fault Divorce State?

Yes, Alabama is a no-fault divorce state. In a no-fault divorce, the party seeking a divorce does not have to prove that their spouse was at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. What Is No-Fault Divorce? Marriage is a legal contract. Accordingly, an Alabama court can only grant a…

High Income Child Support: How It Works

If you and your spouse (or partner) make more than $30,000 a month, the Rule 32 guidelines that govern child support calculation in Alabama don’t apply.  The calculation only goes up to $30,000 as of June 2023, revised from a cap of $20,000.00.  If you are contemplating child support and…

What Qualifies Me for an Annulment in Alabama?

As a domestic relations attorney, every so often I meet with a person who wants to know if he or she can annul their marriage. It’s a term that entered pop culture and developed misconceptions of it’s requirements as well as it’s utility. I’m sure that you have heard a…