Divorce can be one of the most painful and stressful events in life. Many people going through a divorce can feel lost, confused, and alone. That’s why you need a seasoned and compassionate Foley divorce lawyer in your corner. The Law Office of James M. Burns can help you navigate the complex and challenging process of ending your marriage and ensure you meet your goals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
Divorce Lawyer | Here for Clients in Foley & throughout Alabama
Going through a divorce can be a stressful experience. Fortunately, the right divorce lawyer can help things move along as smoothly as possible. Here at The Law Office of James M. Burns, we are here to answer your questions, listen to your needs, and fight for the best outcome possible on your behalf. Speak with a seasoned Foley, Alabama lawyer from our dedicated legal team so we can get started working on your case and fighting for the future of you and your family.
The Divorce Process in Alabama
Unfortunately, divorce can be a long and arduous process, which is why it is of paramount importance to hire an attorney who can effectively guide you through it. A brief outline of the divorce process in the state of Alabama is as follows:
- Choose your grounds for divorce: Alabama allows both fault-based and no-fault divorces. A no-fault divorce is based on the irreparable breakdown of the marriage or the incompatibility of the spouses. A fault-based divorce, on the other hand, is based on one of the following reasons: adultery, abandonment, imprisonment, addiction, insanity, violence, or incurable impotence. Typically, even if you believe your spouse is to blame for your divorce, it’s best to simply file a no-fault divorce, as it frequently saves couples time and money.
- Meet the residency requirement: To file for divorce in Alabama, you or your spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least six months prior to filing. If both spouses live in Alabama, you can file in the county where your spouse lives or where you both lived when you separated. If only one spouse lives in Alabama, you must file in the county where that spouse lives.
- Prepare and file your divorce paperwork: You or your spouse must file a complaint for divorce. In the complaint, you can outline your reasoning for wanting a divorce, as well as any requests you may have for divorce-related terms, among other things.
- Serve your spouse with the divorce paperwork: You must notify your spouse that you have filed for divorce by serving them with a copy of the complaint and a summons. You must also file a proof of service with the court to show that your spouse received the divorce paperwork.
- Wait for your spouse’s response: Your spouse has 30 days to respond to your complaint by filing an answer with the court. The answer must admit or deny each allegation in your complaint and state any defenses or counterclaims. If your spouse does not respond within 30 days, you can ask the court for a default judgment. Essentially, in a default judgment, the court will decide the terms of your divorce without your spouse’s participation. Likely, this will result in you receiving more favorable terms.
- Negotiate a settlement or go to trial: If you and your spouse concur on all the issues in your divorce, you can submit a marital settlement agreement and a parenting plan (if applicable) to the court for approval. If you cannot reach a consensus on all divorce-related issues, you will likely have your divorce litigated in trial. During your trial, a judge will hear arguments and evidence from both sides and make a final decision on all contested issues pertaining to your divorce. At this stage, it is paramount to have a proficient divorce lawyer in your corner who can effectively advocate for your best interests.
- Finalize your divorce: After you reach a settlement or receive a judgment from the court, you must wait at least 30 days before your divorce is final. This is the period during which either party can appeal the court’s decision or ask for a modification of the terms. After 30 days, you can request a divorce decree from the court that officially terminates your marriage and outlines the terms of your divorce. At this point, you can move on with your life and get back to focusing on what matters most to you.
How Hiring an Alabama Divorce Attorney Can Benefit You
A Foley divorce lawyer can do more than just handle the legal aspects of your divorce. They can also provide you with compassionate and personalized service that can benefit you in many ways, such as:
- Reducing your stress: As you most likely know, divorce is a document-heavy and complicated process. Hiring a highly-skilled divorce lawyer can ease some of the stress associated with divorce, as you can have peace of mind knowing a professional is taking care of all the paperwork associated with a divorce, negotiating for your best interests, and handling any disputes with your ex-spouse that may arise. Your attorney can also offer you emotional support and guidance, so you don’t feel alone or overwhelmed.
- Protecting your rights and interests: Foley divorce lawyer James M. Burns will advocate for you and ensure that your rights and interests are respected and protected throughout the process He can also help you avoid any pitfalls or traps that could harm your case or compromise your future, and, ultimately, help you achieve a fair and favorable outcome that meets your needs.
- Saving you time and money: As you most likely know, divorce can be a costly process. That said, with a seasoned Baldwin County divorce attorney in your corner, you can have peace of mind knowing you have an advocate who will prevent costly errors and fight to minimize the impact your divorce has on your life.
Here at The Law Office of James M. Burns, we are dedicated to putting our clients first, and we will stop at nothing to get you the results you need. We understand all that hangs in the balance when a person goes through a divorce, which is why you have our pledge to fight for the best outcome possible on your behalf. If you need a law firm you can depend on, you’ve come to the right place.
Contact a Baldwin County Divorce Lawyer Today
The bottom line is that if you’re about to get a divorce, you need a legal team who can effectively advocate for your rights and interests. Contact The Law Office of James M. Burns today for your initial consultation. We have helped hundreds of clients with their divorces, over the years, and we can help you too. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain how we can effectively guide you through each step of the divorce process.
