At Dothan Law Group, our experienced attorneys are committed to protecting and preserving the rights of individuals and families in matters involving divorce, child support, child custody, alimony, adoption, paternity, domestic violence and other family law matters. We are here to help you and other families get through challenging experiences as efficiently as possible. It can be difficult to maintain your composure and think clearly when you are facing a division of property or custody battle, and there are many issues that you could face throughout the experience. Dothan Law Group will provide you with valuable advice and effective representation with the best interests of you and your family always in mind.

Types of Family Law Cases

Divorce

Families are important, and the decisions you make when considering divorce or any other matter affecting you and your family deserve careful consideration and a full knowledge of the available choices. At Dothan Law Group, we recognize that divorce is complicated, exhausting, and emotionally painful for the people involved.

Alabama state law provides options for both no-fault, in which neither spouse is required to prove wrongdoing on the part of the other spouse, and traditional divorce, in which one spouse files a complaint against the other. The experienced attorneys at Dothan Law Group can help guide you through the divorce process with as little difficulty as possible.

Property Division

One of the challenges divorcing couples must face is dividing their marital property and assigning marital debts. Alabama is an equitable distribution state, and only property acquired during the course of the marriage is subject to division following divorce. Property division may be agreed upon between the spouses through a property settlement, or it may be decided in court during the judicial process of divorce.

Dothan Law Group is experienced in matters involving valuation of business property, real property, the tax law implications of divorce, and the equitable division of securities, pensions, and stock options. We will help you make decisions about your future, including about your property and financial assets, and fight for your rights in a divorce settlement.

Child Support

Alabama courts ordering child support follow the “Income Shares Model.” The goal of this model is for the child to maintain the same or similar standard of living as when the parents were together. The basic support amounts and the rules for dividing amounts between parents are set out in the Alabama Child Support Guidelines. Both parents, whether married or not, have a continuing legal duty to financially support their children.

Alabama has specific rules for determining the financial responsibility for both parties involved to ensure parents pay support. A considerate child support attorney at Dothan Law Group can guide you through this process, working to make sure your children are supported through a fair child support agreement.

Child Custody

When it comes to your children, you want to make sure that their wellbeing is protected. At Dothan Law Group, we understand that your children are the most important thing in your life. In Alabama, child custody can be agreed upon by the parents and approved by the court. However, if both parents are unable to come to an agreement, child custody is determined by a judge, who uses a set of factors to decide what is in the best interests of the child.

Whether this is your first foray into determining a child custody arrangement, or you have questions about a child custody modification or relocation, do not hesitate to contact our child custody lawyers at Dothan Law Group.

Alimony

Alimony is the support that one spouse pays to the other so that the spouse who is being paid can maintain a standard of living similar to the one the couple enjoyed while they were married. Alabama law provides that a court may award a party financial support for the former spouse under certain circumstances. The amount of alimony is dependent on the needs of the receiving spouse and the ability of the paying spouse to pay alimony. Whether you expect to pay alimony or you expect to receive it, you need an experienced lawyer at Dothan Law Group on your side to protect your legal interests and those of your children.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement is a practical way to address important issues in a marriage that provides security and peace of mind to both spouses. Dothan Law Group is highly experienced in helping future spouses negotiate fair and valid premarital agreements.

There are many circumstances in which a married couple wishes to enter into what is known as a postnuptial agreement during the marriage. Alabama law has a stringent set of requirements used to enforce postnuptial agreements, so be sure to get experienced legal advice from Dothan Law Group. If you want to know how to get a postnuptial agreement that will be upheld in the event of a divorce, Dothan Law Group can help you.

Father’s Rights

Dothan Law Group will stand up for fathers’ rights in divorce, custody battles and all other aspects of family law. If you are a father, you have equal rights under the Alabama law. We have helped divorced fathers and fathers who have never married. Our mission at Dothan Law Group is to assist fathers who want to be involved in the lives of their children whatever their circumstances.

Modification

When a judge enters a final divorce decree, several court orders accompany that decree determining matters such as child support, child custody, alimony and the division of marital property. The legal basis that is necessary to modify an order is usually a change of circumstance. There are varying degrees of the change of circumstance required to allow the court to modify. It is important to retain the experts in family law at Dothan Law Group to help with your modification motion or if you are responding to such a motion.

Paternity

If you are involved in a paternity dispute and you are seeking to defend yourself against a paternity establishment, you need aggressive legal advocacy to protect your rights. Dothan Law Group provides knowledgeable and effective representation in paternity matters. Whether you are interested in DNA evidence to prove or disprove paternity, or you are interested in collecting or defending against child support payments, the experienced family law lawyers at Dothan Law Group recognizes the interests of both the mother and the father in establishing paternity.

Adoption

Although a lawyer is not inherently required for the adoption process, it can be extremely helpful to have an experienced professional guide you through this process. An adoption attorney can help advise you of your rights, explain your options and handle your case in compliance with all applicable adoption laws. We are highly experienced in all types of adoptions, including relative and stepparent adoptions, private adoptions, and adoptions through the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). If you are interested in adoption, you should contact the compassionate and dedicated attorneys at Dothan Law Group who can help you understand the process.

Contact Our Family Law Attorneys In Alabama

At Dothan Law Group, our skilled lawyers have years of experience in handling even the most complex of family law cases and are able to handle all manner of issues. We work closely with our clients, taking the time to listen and understand their specific needs, so we can develop resolutions that effectively address their needs and fully protect their interests. Our experience has not only allowed us to hone our legal skills, but has allowed our attorneys and staff to form relationships with many in the court system. At Dothan Law Group, we understand the unique challenges of family law cases and are ready to give you the help and support you need.