Hoover Area General Law Blog

Going through a divorce does not have to tear a family apart. When done right, it can strengthen the bond that each parent has with their child, while minimizing toxicity and facilitating independence. Maintaining parent-child relationships is often done most successfully through joint custody. Joint custody means that the courts award the rights and responsibilities of care to both parents after a split, rather than just one.

If you are interested in filing for joint custody but you have reservations regarding how it might work in practice, it is a good idea to spend time researching ways to maximize the benefits of joint custody. The following are behaviors you can adopt that will increase the likelihood of maintaining a joint custody agreement that works for everyone.

For some, getting a traffic ticket is nothing more than a short-term inconvenience. However, for low-income individuals in Alabama and many other states, it can have a long-term impact on their lives. Those who are unable to pay a fine may be sent to jail, and these individuals may be required to pay a fee for each day that they are there. People can also be charged a supervision fee if they are put on probation.

These fees can be on top of the $500 or more needed to make bail. According to the Supreme Court, defendants cannot be forced to pay fines or fees if they don't have the means to do so. However, Tennessee law allows the state to suspend a person's license for failure to pay a fine. Many groups are working to reform the fine and bail system in an effort to provide relief to those who are struggling to pay their debts.

People accused of robbery in Alabama may face serious long-term consequences if they are convicted. There are several different kinds of theft charges, and not all of them amount to robbery. In most cases, robbery is considered a violent crime as it is classified as taking another person's property through force or the threat of force. There are several different categories of robbery charges in the state, which depend on the circumstances of the incidents involved, and sentencing can vary depending on the charges.

Before sentencing in a robbery case, an accused person must be convicted of the charges by a jury or through a guilty plea. The most serious form of a robbery charge in Alabama is robbery in the first degree and usually includes allegations that a deadly weapon was used or threatened to be used in the course of the theft. Sometimes it is referred to as "armed robbery," although the presence of a deadly weapon is not required for this charge. Sentences for robbery in the first degree can range up to 20 years to life in prison.

When a divorce takes place in Alabama or any other state, it could mean significant changes for an individual. For a business owner, it is important to understand how much the company is worth and how having a business could impact the final divorce settlement. Ideally, the company's value will be assessed by an independent professional appraiser. This person should have access to any documents needed to come to a fair valuation.

It is important to note that a business owner may label any income generated by the company in two different ways. First, he or she may earn a salary comparable to anyone else who fulfilled a similar role with an organization. In addition, an owner may take a 20% return on capital if the business is qualified to do so. This may reduce an owner's income and increase the value of the company.