Hoover Area General Law Blog

Alabama parents who get a divorce must still deal with co-parenting issues. This can be challenging when parents are missing important moments in their children's lives or struggling to communicate, but it is possible to build a functioning co-parenting relationship even after a difficult divorce.

For example, a parent can take a photo or send a message to the other parent when the child brings home a good report card or a piece of art. This can be part of each parent's larger strategy to encourage the child's relationship with the other parent. Parents should make an effort to say positive things about one another when they are with the child. It is also helpful if parents can present a unified front. Children feel more secure if rules and expectations are consistent between households. However, parents should also be flexible when it is appropriate. For example, one parent might plan a special treat during the other parent's time with the child. If it will make the child happy, it may be best to allow it.

Many people in Alabama know that if they are arrested, they will hear the police officer read out a list of rights, beginning with the famous phrase, "You have the right to remain silent." However common these words may seem to be, they are more than just rote phrases. They reflect significant rights that people have when under suspicion of a crime, and understanding those rights can be important to protecting them from violations. These rights, known as the Miranda warnings, take their name from a 1966 Supreme Court case that mandated suspects must be advised of key rights when they are taken into police custody.

The Miranda rights are a way of protecting people's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. When people are arrested, they are told that they can remain silent, that the words they do say can be used against them in court, that they have the right to a lawyer and that one can be appointed if they cannot afford one. In essence, people are being told that they are not required to talk to the police and can speak to legal counsel instead, despite tactics that police may use in interrogation in an attempt to get a confession.

A properly executed prenuptial agreement can be equated to a good insurance policy. The hope is never to have to use it, but if the time comes and the situation arises and it's needed, it can be very useful in saving significant time and money. Traditionally, many Alabama residents contemplating tying the knot would take offense if their intended spouse even hinted that a prenup should be considered, but more and more people are realizing it can be beneficial to both parties to at least have a conversation about financial expectations and whether a prenup is a necessary component of the marriage.

Legal experts emphasize the fact that although prenups are a specific type of contract, they must comply with basic contract principles. Typically, if enforcing a prenup is at issue, consideration and duress are matters to be considered. Both parties should freely enter the agreement with a complete understanding of what they are giving up. While various issues can be addressed, most often one party will agree to settle for less in the event of a divorce than the law would otherwise provide for if no prenup existed.

Not that long ago, women were almost always the ones who stayed home to take care of the family home or young children. However, the modern economy is much more diverse than the economy even a few decades ago, and many women are making great wages that allow them to support a family.

Whether you are a stay-at-home mother or father, you have rights under Alabama law. In the event that your marriage starts to falter or you decide you want to divorce, you need to educate yourself about your rights, as they will play an important role in your financial stability immediately after you file for divorce.