All of THE sudden or All of A sudden?

I recently was involved in a discussion about which use is correct.  I was wrong.  I always say, "all of the sudden, it hit me".....well, according to The answer The actual correct answer is "All of A Sudden"

Proposed Move of Judgships to Madison County, Alabama

The Alabama Supreme Court has recommended moving four judgeships from Birmingham in Jefferson County to Huntsville and Madison County in order too eliminate the back log of cases.  According to AL.COM Jefferson County has seen a strong decline in Civil filings in recent years.  The Alabama legislature must approve the recommendation.

Proxy Marriages

According to an article in the New York Times today, Click Here the trend of finding a spouse on the internet has broadened to actually getting married online.  The numbers are significantly growing with this trend in situations where immigration is strong, however, many are marrying online in a fraudulent manner, i.e. trying to marry their relatives to get them to America as immigrants.  A Fayetville, NC company called 'Proxy Now' actually facilitates proxy marriages, so I would assume the trend is becoming significant.  

Some of those couples are trying to circumvent restrictive local laws, like those in Israeland other countries, which recognize mixed-religion marriages but will not perform them, he said. Others who live in different countries seek marriage to pave the way to be together, a first step to attaining a visa or citizenship for a spouse, he said. Couples usually dial in to a ceremony in El Salvador, which has comparatively little red tape surrounding the process.

We actually are seeing a growing number of Divorces in Huntsville coming from couples who have met online.  I have not seen a divorce by proxy yet.  If you need us for your online divorce if your proxy divorce, go to our website.  Go Here

Until later,
Charlotte 

Alabama Budget Cuts and Divorce

By: Charlotte Christian

What the Alabama Budget Means to Alabama Citizens in the Divorce Arena

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore has recently complained that the budget presented by Alabama Governor, Robert Bentley will continue to cripple the already teetering Alabama Court System.  In a Statement today, Chief Justice Moore argues that the proposed budget will cut the Court Systems out of business.  Most all counties are functioning with a limited number of support personnel as a result of  2010-1012 budget cuts, and the new budget will pour salt on a deep wound.  In Limestone County, Alabama, the Circuit Court system suffered such drastic cuts, that the Clerk’s office had to shorten hours of operation to accommodate all new filings. 

The Clerk in Limestone County, has only one clerk responsible for domestic and family law filings.   Because of funding cuts, the single clerk is responsible for more than she can produce on many days.  Filing notices, court dates and notifications lag behind and are often delayed due to the pressures placed on the domestic clerk.  Criminal clerks and Civil clerks are having the same problems. 

If you are getting a divorce in Athens, Alabama, are in the middle of a custody battle or other family law matter, be aware that your case will take a little longer and with as few as one clerk working Domestic Relations cases in many counties, we must all exhibit more patience. 

Our firm utilizes the best practices available to finalize a domestic case.  We will do everything possible to work through the budget cuts and have your case proceed to it’s necessary end as quickly as possible.  Call us today with questions at 256-232-2114 or visit our website.

But my child wants to go to college

Charlotte Christian

Today, I hated to be the bearer of bad news.  Bad news is inevitable, but the news I had to share could have been avoided had the mother been afforded more information a few months earlier.  A bright young man, wanted to go to college, his dad made good money, but refused to pay for the college.  The father had filed a notice with the court that the child was 19 and that he should no longer have to pay child support.  The mother believed that because the father had filed a notice to cease child support, that she would be able to get money from the father for college support.  On my main webpage, I talk about options if your spouse refuses to pay Look here, but this does not include post minority support.

Alabama law provides that in order for the custodial parent to continue receiving child support, he or she must file a petition with the Court prior to the 19th birthday of the child.  If a petition is filed on the 19th birthday or one day after, the Court has no option as there is no jurisdiction or authority of the Court to order child support for college.

If you have a child approaching 19 years of age, time if of the essence.  Call our firm immediately to discuss your options.

Alabama Family Law Group
256-232-2114

A Day For Romance?

By: Charlotte Christian

Valentines’ Day:  A Time for Romance….and….a Time for Divorce?

Traditionally, Valentines’ Day is connected to “sweethearts” or “lovers” who exchange candy, jewelry and other gifts to express and confirm their love for each other.  However, according to a recent study on divorce in which data was compiled by Avvo.com, an organization that offers free ratings and lawyer profiles, the time for love has also become a time for divorce. 

Mark Britton, founder and CEO of Avvo, reports, “Over the past two years we’ve seen an average increase of forty percent (40%) in the number of requests for divorce lawyers around Valentines’ Day, compared to the previous six months.”  He goes on to say, “Furthermore, the number of questions about divorce has soared thirty-six percent (36%) during that same time.  Indeed, there’s definitely a major Valentines’ spike when it comes to divorce.”

Kelly Chang Rickert, a divorce lawyer in Los Angeles, California, acknowledges she has seen an increase in divorce filings shortly after Valentines’ Day.   She categorizes the people who are filing as the “Delayed New Year’s Resoluters,” those who are finally moving on—a month late-- with their resolutions to be single and the “Waiting to Exhalers,” those individuals, depending on the actions of their spouses on Valentines’ Day, will either reconcile their differences or file for divorces.

Charlotte Christian, a family law attorney in Huntsville and Athens, Alabama, acknowledges that not only does she see an increase in the number of divorce clients she sees and the number of cases she files during the Valentines’ Day holiday, but she also notes an increase in the number of restraining orders connected with domestic violence as some individuals desire to “get their ex’s back” during Valentines’ week and often resort to extreme measures to achieve their goals.

Tech Savy World By: Charlotte Christian +charlotte christian Get on Board With Technology Congratulations to Casey Wardynski, the Huntsville, Alabama superintendent of education for being named “Tech Savvy Superintendent Of the Year” by Eschoolnews.com. Under Wardynski’s leadership, Huntsville, Alabama City Schools System has initiated a 100% technology program for all schools within the system. Students either use school issued Ipads or Laptops. The school system determined leasing the technology was cheaper than purchasing new books. As attorneys, we are generally characterized as late adaptors; however, technology is a necessity for our practices. I would challenge late adaptors to follow the lead of Superintendent Wardynski and take your practice 100% technology. Technology in the sense of the word for attorneys does not mean a computer for the secretaries. The need to use technology for attorneys extends to Google+, Smart Phones, Twitter, Blogging and Websites. For more ideas on turning your practice into a technological practice, join a group on Google+, sign up for twitter and begin following those with common interests. Take advantage of the example that has been given to us here in the Huntsville and North Alabama and implement technology.

AL.COM