The Hazzard Law Firm, LLC, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, & Family Law In Birmingham, AL, Ready to Fight for You

In the state of Alabama, you are not legally required to hire a lawyer as part of the divorce process. However, it may make sense to do so in order to come to an agreement on crucial matters such as division of assets, child custody, child support, and alimony. A lawyer will not only make sure you have a chance at getting what you want out of the end of a marriage, they will also eliminate some of the tensions related to this stressful process. Since there is so much at stake, it makes sense to at least speak with a lawyer regarding divorce.

Once a child custody agreement is reached, it becomes a legally binding contract between the two parents to ensure stability for the child and avoid any confusion. However, there may be times when you need a child custody modification. A lawyer will be able to help with this matter, whether you need it as part of an emergency situation or as a long-term change to the original agreement. Your lawyer will be able to present the matter to the courts, so you can keep your family stable and on track.

Alabama divorce cases are either no-fault or at-fault based cases. This means an amicable divorce where both parties have agreed that the marriage is simply not compatible or has run its course is considered a no-fault divorce. An at-fault divorce means that one party is trying to prove that the other spouse is to blame for the end of the marriage. This is usually the case when one spouse has committed adultery, domestic violence, been incarcerated, or abandoned the marriage. While it is possible to handle a simple (no children or major assets involved) no-fault divorce with minimal legal counsel, an at-fault divorce is a more complicated matter.

A contested divorce case happens when the parties are unable to agree on the terms regarding child custody, child support, alimony, and the division of assets and marital property. When this happens, bringing in a lawyer is usually the only way to move forward since neither party is willing to budge on what they want. A lawyer may be able to speed up a drawn-out legal fight while also helping to maintain some level of civility in ugly divorces. They will present their claim of what their client deserves and why to the judge, which is why hiring a lawyer for your divorce is always a smart first step.

In a simple divorce that is filed as no-fault, a couple may be looking at proceedings that are as fast as 30 days. However, this would be the ideal scenario wherein a couple has no children together, no assets to divide, and the dissolution of the marriage is mutually agreed upon. Outside of this ideal (and rare) scenario, an Alabama divorce can take a few months to close to a year, depending on several factors. While hiring a lawyer may speed up the process, the souses must be willing to either work together to find an agreement on terms, or a judge will step in to make a decision.

While it is not required in Alabama to hire a lawyer for a personal injury case, it is a smart move. A personal injury due to someone else’s negligence can result in serious (and lifelong) consequences such as permanent disability, loss of wages, and a reduced earning potential in the future. Working with a personal injury lawyer on your case is a smart way to ensure a fighting chance at maximum compensation for your accident and the fallout it created in your life. Your lawyer will be able to fight on your behalf to eliminate some of the stress during this difficult time.

Personal injury compensation types and the amount will depend on the factors of your case, such as the severity and the impacts of the injury. For example, a lawyer will be able to ask for financial damages related to lost wages, medical bills, and more. It is also possible to ask for emotional damages to compensate the victim for their pain and suffering following an accident. Punitive damages can also be sought if the responsible party created the conditions of the accident with intent or malice. The final amount of the settlement will depend on your case, which is why speaking with a lawyer is a good starting point following an accident.

It is important to remember that the insurance company has one agenda—paying as little as possible on your personal injury claim. They do not care about your best interests or giving you what you deserve in compensation. In fact, insurance companies may use certain unfair tactics or questions in hopes of finding a loophole to avoid paying you what you deserve. With this in mind, you should only speak to the insurance company of the liable party with your legal representative present as your counsel. This will greatly reduce the chances of the insurance company taking advantage of you during an already vulnerable time in your life.