Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Is Alabama A Community Property State?
If you are considering divorce in Alabama, or are beginning the process, you likely have a lot of questions about how your property will be divided. Alabama is not a community property state, where all marital property is divided 50-50, however, that answer may not give you as much information as you may think…. Read More »
Am I Entitled To Social Security Payments Based On My Ex-Spouse’s Work?
Going through a divorce there are so many things you likely thought you would have to consider. Hopefully, social security was one of the things that came up. Regardless of whether it was addressed during the divorce, you may be entitled to social security income or disability payments based on your ex-spouse’s work history,… Read More »
Can I Keep My Engagement Ring If I Get Divorced?
Divorce is a difficult process, emotionally and financially. In many cases you have spent years building a life with someone that you must now dismantle piece by piece over a matter of months. Chances are that when you were married you were not considering whether every item in your home and every financial choice… Read More »
Same-Sex Divorce In Alabama
Same-sex marriage is now legal in Alabama, so of course, same-sex divorce would follow. Our firm understands that like most things for same-sex couples, same-sex divorce often has more inherent obstacles than divorce does for heterosexual couples, as the legal system is simply lagging pretty far behind when it comes to same-sex issues such… Read More »
Creating A Time-Sharing Schedule For Active Duty Military Parents
Custody is never an easy issue. Creating a time-sharing schedule that works for both parents can be impossible even under normal circumstances. When one or both parents are active-duty service members this completely changes the metrics, and can make it hard to ensure that care is available for the child at all times. However,… Read More »
Who Gets To Keep Season Tickets In A Divorce?
With the Super Bowl right around the corner, football is on everyone’s mind, including people considering a divorce. A divorce is a big decision that literally involves dismantling a life by dividing up all of your assets, property, and debts. Any shared assets are subject to being split, and season tickets often fall into… Read More »
Do I Need A Reason To File For Divorce?
Personal relationships can be difficult to navigate, even in the best of circumstances. When you add on the heavy societal, personal, and sometimes religious expectations that often accompany marriage, it can feel impossible to know when it is okay to throw in the towel and when it is your duty to keep fighting. This… Read More »
Does My Child Have A Say In Who Gets Custody?
The process of determining custody of your children can be gut-wrenching and emotionally terrible. It can be hard to feel like you are potentially losing access to a person who you helped create. It can also be hard to understand all the legal intricacies of the child custody hearing and decision-making process. Our hope… Read More »
Dividing Up Debt In A Divorce
Usually when people start thinking about divorce, their first thoughts are of their assets. Most Google searches about divorce involve questions about how to “keep my house” or “protect my business” in a divorce. However, you may be surprised to learn that the division of debt in a divorce is just as important, and… Read More »
Understanding Divorce By Default
If your spouse is missing, uncooperative, or has failed to respond to divorce papers, you may be feeling frustrated and wondering if you will be trapped in this marriage forever. The good news is that there is a way out of your marriage even if your spouse is not on board. Even the most… Read More »