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Florence, Alabama Attorney for Family Law, Personal Injury, and Criminal Defense
Florence Family Law Attorney
Family-law decisions can shape your daily life, finances, and relationship with your children. Drew A. Sockwell helps clients in Florence and throughout the Shoals address divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, modifications, and DHR matters.
If you need a Florence divorce lawyer or child custody attorney, our office can help you understand the issues, prepare the necessary information, and evaluate your options. We pursue workable agreements when appropriate and prepare for contested proceedings when court involvement is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to a divorce or child custody consultation?
Bring any court papers, existing orders, and upcoming hearing notices. Financial information such as recent pay statements, tax returns, account statements, and a list of assets and debts can also be helpful. For custody matters, bring information about the children’s routines, current parenting arrangements, and any specific concerns. A short timeline and a list of questions will help us focus the discussion. You can schedule a consultation even if you have not gathered everything yet.
How do Alabama courts decide child custody?
For an initial custody determination, the court focuses on the child’s best interests. Alabama law requires courts to consider joint custody, but the appropriate arrangement depends on the facts. Relevant considerations include the parents’ ability to cooperate, their ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent, safety concerns, and the practical effect of where the parents live. Joint custody does not necessarily mean equal parenting time. See Alabama’s joint-custody factors and state custody policy.
Can an existing child custody order be changed?
Yes, but the requirements depend on the existing order and the change being requested. Changing an award of sole physical custody generally requires more than showing that another arrangement would also benefit the child. The parent seeking the change may need to show materially changed circumstances, that the change would materially promote the child’s welfare, and that its benefits outweigh the disruption. Different standards can apply to other arrangements. Our office can review your order and explain the applicable requirements. See the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals’ discussion of custody-modification standards.
How is child support calculated, and can it be modified?
Alabama generally uses child-support guidelines that consider the parents’ incomes, the number of children, and qualifying expenses such as health coverage and work-related child care. The custody arrangement can also affect the calculation. A modification generally requires a substantial and continuing material change in circumstances, with additional rules governing the calculation. A change in income does not automatically change an existing order. Our office can review your circumstances and determine whether a modification request may be appropriate. See Alabama Rule 32.
How can an attorney help when DHR becomes involved with my family?
DHR involvement may include an investigation, a proposed safety plan, or court proceedings. An attorney can help you understand the allegations, review documents and proposed agreements, prepare for meetings or hearings, and explain your rights and responsibilities. Keep copies of notices and paperwork, follow existing court orders, and seek advice promptly about upcoming deadlines or proposed changes affecting your children. DHR’s attorneys represent the department, so obtaining your own legal advice serves a different role. See DHR’s description of its legal offices.