Archive for April, 2009
What will my divorce cost?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
This is a question you should ask your lawyer at the initial consultation. If you are working for a lawyer that charges fixed fees like our firm does (also known as flat fees), then they can tell you exactly what the fee will be. But, even if you are working with a lawyer that charges [...]
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Can I date while the divorce is pending?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
I suppose that you can, but my general advice is that you don’t. Even though a divorce case is pending, you are still married. Having a sexual relationship while the case is pending is still adultery. Even in the absence of any sexual contact, a dating relationship may be a strike against you in the [...]
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How should I choose a lawyer to represent me in my divorce?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
Choosing the right lawyer is vital to the satisfactory resolution of your divorce or family law case. In my opinion, there are a number of things that you ought to consider. In fact, I dedicate an entire chapter to this topic in my upcoming book on divorce in Alabama.
For this article, I just want to [...]
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Can I bring someone with me to meet with my lawyer?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
Many of our clients ask whether or not they can bring a friend or a relative with them to the meeting with me. This is usually not a good idea.
The conversations that a lawyer and client have with one another are generally confidential. However, if another person is present during those conversations, it loses its [...]
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What about my “prenup”?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
If you are about to go through a divorce and you and your spouse signed a nuptial agreement (either before your marriage or after), you need to inform your lawyer of that fact immediately. That seems like a rather obvious statement, but I have seen cases where the client’s failed to mention to their lawyers [...]
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What happens if I don’t show up for Court?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
First of all, don’t miss your Court date if you can help it. In most courts in Alabama, if you are properly served and fail to show up for Court, the Judge will enter a default judgment against you and in favor of your spouse (or in the case of a modification or contempt case, [...]
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Can I buy a house while my divorce is pending?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
You should generally avoid making any major new purchases while your divorce is pending. If you purchase a major asset like a house before your divorce is final, it will have to be addressed in the Divorce Decree. This could affect the rest of the property settlement. Also, your lawyer can help you plan to [...]
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Should I hire a private detective?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
There are three reasons people generally consider utilizing the services of a detective in their divorce case: to discover assets, to do a background check and to conduct surveillance. The first two reasons listed can now often be done utilizing online databases instead of the services of a P.I. which can potentially save money. With [...]
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Can I change the locks on the house?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
This question is the converse of the one we asked last week (Should I Move Out?). The general answer is unless you have a Court Order granting you exclusive possession of the home, then you should not change the locks.
If you do change the locks without a Court Order giving you possession of the home, [...]
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Should I move out of the house?
Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Alabama Divorce Lawyer, Jim Jeffries.
There is no blanket answer to this question. It depends on the particular circumstances of your case. For example, if custody is contested, it is generally a bad idea to move out without adequate arrangements to take your children with you.
Where custody is not disputed, it still may not be a good idea. Many people [...]