Category: Child Custody

When a child custody order identifies a custodial and noncustodial parent, the custodial parent claims the child on their tax return. However, one of the more complicated aspects of an equal custody arrangement is determining which parent will claim the child as their dependent and be eligible for child-related tax…

In most cases, it’s important for each parent to maintain a relationship with their children after a divorce. This requires a visitation schedule once the parents are no longer living together. An Alabama visitation schedule in child custody cases can vary in many ways to accommodate the needs of the…

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…

A conviction for domestic violence in the state of Alabama, comes with a presumption that the offender should not be awarded custody. Don’t count on this as a blanket statement. Each case will need to be evaluated for the facts because some harassment cases can be labeled as domestic violence…

The most important you have as is raising your children to be happy, healthy individuals. When you are divorced this can become a greater challenge as you navigate your thoughts and feelings about your ex spouse. How you treat them and how you interact with them in front of and…

Disputes about child custody are often the most stressful part of a divorce. It is better for all involved if a divorcing couple can come to a child custody agreement without court intervention, but that is not always possible. If the terms of your children’s upbringing are to be decided…

Everything we knew was turned upside down by Covid-19.  It’s not surprising that custody and visitation issues began cropping up soon after the pandemic.  First, we saw parents who didn’t want to follow visitation orders.   The custodial parent would deem the noncustodial parent’s home unsafe or the noncustodial would find…

I’ve been talking about the various legal custody designations. If you haven’t read the other articles, go back and read those first. I am not going to break down all six categories of decision-making in custody agreements in Alabama. Instead, we will focus on the extracurricular activities. This one is…

I meet with clients who want to “win” custody. If you have read any of my other blogs on custody, you will already know that custody isn’t as clear-cut as it used to be. I mediated a couple of cases recently and custody was at issue in both cases. But…

If you haven’t read the other blogs on custody, read those first. We are going to talk about educational decision-making. This is one of those categories in the legal custody arena that is highly sought after. Most people want this category so they can choose the school district their child…