Family Law
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Kathryn believes that it is better to know everything there is to know about family law as opposed to knowing a little bit about every subject. Kathryn’s specialized approach ensures that each one of their clients is receiving the best service possible with a team that has extensive experience.
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Family Law
Child Support
If you have a child under the age of majority, which is 19 in the State of Alabama, you, as well as the other parent, are responsible for supporting him/her financially. Child support can be ordered in a divorce action or an action for dependency or paternity which occurs when a child is born out of wedlock. If you and the other parent’s combined gross annual income is $240,000 or less, child support will be determined by a formula set for in the Alabama Child Support Guidelines found in Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. Factors considered when calculating child support include income, work-related child-care, the cost of health insurance, and all preexisting child support or alimony obligations from a previous marriage or case.
In a true joint custody/time-sharing situation, child support may still be ordered if there is an income discrepancy between the parties. You should not assume there will be no child support just because you have equal time.
In the event you and the other parent have a combined annual income of over $240,000.00, child support will be determined by comparing the needs of the children and the parents’ ability to pay those expenses.
The cost of health insurance and out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses are also part of your entitled child support. Normally, one parent maintains health and dental insurance coverage for the children and the parties split the cost of out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Spousal Support
Whether you are the party seeking spousal support, or the one who may be ordered to pay said support, the attorneys at Crawford Gentle Law, P.C. are here to guide you and protect your legal rights. Spousal support, otherwise referred to as Alimony, are support payments from one party to the other which are usually paid in monthly installments. The purpose of alimony is to enable the party receiving said support to acquire the ability to preserve, to the extent possible, the economic status quo of the parties as it existed during the marriage.
When determining whether alimony should be awarded, or the amount of alimony to be awarded, the Court considers the payor’s ability to pay, whether the payee needs support to cover their monthly expenses, and any possible wrongdoing that may have occurred during the marriage. Each of these three categories contain numerous factors that will be considered by the Court when rendering a judgment. You may be eligible to receive, or be required to pay, interim alimony, otherwise known as support pending the outcome of the divorce. As Alabama is one of the few “Fault” states left, it is imperative that you have a skilled attorney pursue the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Alimony can include complex financial issues as Alabama does not have a standard formula for its calculation. With recent changes in the law, Alimony is no longer deductible to the payor and may not be classified as income to the payee. Additionally, Periodic Alimony shall not exceed the length of the marriage as of the date of the filing of the complaint for divorce, UNLESS the parties are married for 20 years or longer. At Crawford Gentle Law, P.C., we will determinedly pursue a result that will secure your life after divorce.
Grandparent Rights
If you are worried that your grandchildren are in an unsafe and/or unhealthy living environment, you may have options. Additionally, if you’re being denied the right to visit with your grandchildren, and an action for divorce of the parents has been filed or you child has died, you may be able to bring an action for Grandparent Visitation. You may also be eligible for visitation rights if an action to terminate the parental rights of a parent has been filed or the parental rights of a parent have been terminated by the Court.
Even though parents have the right to deny or limit visitation of a grandparent, the presumption that said denial is in the best interest of the child may be overcome if certain criteria is met. If you have had regular or frequent contact with your grandchild for at least 12 consecutive months that resulted in a meaningful relationship, call us today. We will fight for your right to see your grandchildren.
Protection from Abuse
If you are the victim of domestic violence, which can be either acts of physical or verbal violence, intimidation, or harassment, there is help out there, and we will take every step necessary to protect you and your children. Abuse comes in many forms and may include assault and physical injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation or punishment, threat of physical harm, sexual harm or harassment, rape, and deprivation of necessities. A Protection from Abuse order is a remedy available for members of the same family or household, married couples, or individuals who are or have been in a romantic relationship.
By filing for a Protection from Abuse order, you can ask the court to restrain another person from yourself, your children, your home and/or your workplace. Such an order can also address child support, spousal support and payment of debts. If your perpetrator violates a Protection from Abuse Order, he or she may face criminal charges.
At Crawford Gentle Law, P.C., we understand that the fear may be overwhelming. Our legal team will guide you through the complicated journey to safety and recovery by helping you implement a safety plan, seek criminal and civil remedies for your protection, and guide you to resources for shelter and counseling if or when needed. If you cannot afford to retain a lawyer, we will direct you to service providers that can help you. Do not wait until it is too late. Let us help you survive.
We Are Here to Guide You
“Kathryn was extremely knowledgeable, efficient but also understanding and compassionate. I know I would not have received the same service anywhere else and would recommend her to anyone seeking legal advice.”
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Confident
With 20 years of experience, we have the wisdom needed to navigate and resolve even the most complex of cases,
