Opelika Alabama Legal Blog

Divorce can be painful and support may help

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in family law on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Marriage can be a beautiful and heartbreaking arrangement. For a time, individuals may feel beyond happy, and later, they may come to realize that the relationship they once had no longer exists. As a result, many Alabama residents may find themselves contending with the pain and other difficulties of going through divorce.

Some individuals may feel completely caught off guard by the decision to end the marriage, and as a result, they may wonder whether they could have taken action sooner to potentially avoid this end. While seeking counseling when marriages begin to face issues may help, it may not always be a foolproof fix. Additionally, many people do not realize that their relationships have come to a breaking point until the relationship has already broken.

Criminal defense info will likely help accused dog owners

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in criminal law on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

The circumstances that lead to a person's arrest play a considerable role in the case overall. Details can impact how an individual chooses to defend against allegations, and that information could also affect the type of evidence the prosecution has against the accused party. Therefore, it is important for individuals to understand the details of the arrest and related facts in order to create and present a meaningful criminal defense.

A couple in Alabama may want to assess their case closely after recently being taken into custody. Reports indicated that their situation began in December when the couple's dogs purportedly attacked and killed a 24-year-old woman. There were apparently five dogs involved in the incident, and another person was also injured.

Wrongful death claim may result from Alabama bicycle accident

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in personal injury law on Monday, April 9, 2018.

When another person is considered responsible for the death of a loved one, surviving family members may have reason to take legal action. A wrongful death claim could help those individuals pursue compensation for damages resulting from the fatal event. This type of action is not entirely uncommon after car accidents that lead to deaths.

One family in Alabama may find themselves considering this possible course of action after a recent incident. Reports stated that a bicyclist was hit by a vehicle at approximately 12:30 p.m. Specific details regarding the accident were not given in the report. It was noted that the vehicle involved was a pickup truck, and the driver did not remain at the scene.

Forgetting perfection may help lower divorce costs

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in family law on Friday, March 30, 2018.

When a relationship becomes unhappy and unhealthy, one of the main concerns may relate to ending the marriage as easily as possible. Of course, divorce proceedings can have their difficulties, and even after filing a petition, many Alabama residents' next concerns may involve figuring out how to pay for the process. Dissolving a marriage can certainly prove expensive, but there are ways in which parties could work toward keeping their costs on the lower end.

One major contributing factor to an expensive divorce is the time it takes to complete the process. When proceedings go on and on, individuals can accumulate more fees and expenses. In hopes of avoiding unnecessary costs, parties may want to determine how they can help their divorce end more quickly, and one significant way to do so is to refrain from creating unnecessary conflict.

You have the right to fight a drunk driving charge

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in blog on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Driving while intoxicated is a severe violation in the state of Alabama. Unfortunately, if you stand accused of drinking and driving, you could end up losing your driving privileges, paying a heavy fine and spending time behind bars.

Naturally, being accused of drunk driving can be unsettling and even embarrassing. You have the right to fight this charge in an effort to protect your reputation and your future.

Wrongful death: Alcohol suspected in fatal Alabama crash

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in personal injury law on Monday, March 19, 2018.

There are many situations in which individuals could have grounds to take legal actions against other parties. When it comes to fatal car accidents, surviving family of victims may have reason to file wrongful death claims against the drivers considered at fault. These types of claims could help them pursue compensation for permitted damages.

One family in Alabama may be exploring their legal options after a recent crash. Reports stated that only one vehicle was involved in the incident, which occurred around 5 p.m. Apparently, the driver of the vehicle did not keep the car on the road, and as a result, it hit a tree. There were at least three individuals in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Are you paying support to an ex-spouse who refuses to work?

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in blog on Sunday, February 25, 2018.

After high school, you went to college, and while there, you met your significant other. After you both finished school and worked for a while, you married, settled down in Alabama and started having children. Your spouse quit the workforce in order to raise the kids, with every intent of going back to work when they got a little older. Well, divorce entered the picture, and now you are stuck paying support to your ex who can, but will not, find a way to support him or herself.

Spousal support is never a guarantee in divorce. However, if one spouse gives up employment to remain home with the children, it is possible that he or she will be eligible for some level of support -- even if it is just temporary.

Family of teen may consider wrongful death claim after crash

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in personal injury law on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

People commonly believe that teen drivers pose considerable risks on the road due to their inexperience. Unfortunately, many car accidents do occur with teens behind the wheel, and the outcomes of those crashes can be tragic. If an accident leads to a fatality, the family of the deceased victim may have options for filing a wrongful death claim against the parties believed responsible.

One family in Alabama may be considering such action after a recent accident. Reports stated that the incident involved only one vehicle with a 17-year-old driver and a 15-year-old passenger. The two girls are from different parts of the area. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which resulted in the car leaving the road and colliding with a tree.

Should Alabama residents stay in their homes during divorce?

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in family law on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

Ending a marriage means that many aspects of a person's life will change. Though some of the changes may seem obvious, such as not being married anymore, others may not have crossed a person's mind. For instance, some individuals may think that during and after the divorce they will simply remain in their current homes. However, what if the other party involved has the same idea?

Deciding whether to stay at the current residence can be a difficult choice for Alabama residents. Some people may want to stay where they feel comfortable and have a sense of familiarity. Of course, many individuals also do not want to remain in the same home as their soon-to-be ex-spouse. While one person typically chooses to move out, at least during the legal proceedings, the decision remains as to who will maintain ownership of the home after divorce.

Several people facing drug charges after Alabama house search

On behalf of Dean & Barrett posted in criminal law on Thursday, February 8, 2018.

The criminal justice system is a complex arrangement to understand. There are many aspects to every criminal case, and when people have charges brought against them, they may fear that the system will be too complex for them to navigate successfully. Luckily, individuals have legal options for obtaining assistance and information on their specific cases.

Multiple individuals in Alabama will undoubtedly want to consider what information may best help them after recently being taken into custody. Reports stated that authorities were conducting an investigation after receiving complaints about possible drug activity in a specific area. As a result, police conducted a search of a residence, and they allegedly noticed drug paraphernalia. The officers then requested that narcotics investigators come to the house.