Hankey Law Firm is proud of our nearly 20-year commitment as a Cullman County divorce attorney. We know the struggles of divorce and that you have a lot of questions about:
Your life is restarting, and we’re here to help make it as stress-free and fair as possible.
Spouses may have irreconcilable differences, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t hash out a divorce agreement without going to trial. While we’re ready to bring your case in front of the court, it could be in both spouses’ best interests to avoid a trial.
Proceeding with a divorce is serious, and if you’ve been together for years – or decades – it can be even more challenging.
We aim to help you, from start to finish, with services designed to fit into every divorce.
Contact us to schedule a consultation.
The elements of your divorce may be diverse, involving many aspects. If you have children or there is a significant income gap between you and your spouse, your divorce will look much different than one where financial circumstance is similar, and there are no children involved.
During our consultation, we’ll learn more about your unique circumstances and how we can serve you.
Our services include:
Alabama divorce always begins with filing a petition. One spouse files for divorce, but this can only take place if you are a bona fide resident. What does this mean? It means that you have resided in Alabama for a minimum of six continuous months.
Your divorce will be either:
A contested divorce isn’t ideal, but it’s common. You and your spouse can agree on 90% of things, but if you can’t agree on that last 10%, your divorce now becomes contested. If you’re in one of the following categories, your divorce is likely to be contested:
We step into the divorce as a negotiator, working on your behalf to hammer out the details of the divorce. Outside help can make it easier for divorcees to agree because third parties don’t have an emotional attachment to assets.
Our goal as your Cullman County divorce attorney is to help you achieve a fair and equitable distribution of assets without going to trial, if possible.
If there’s no hope – you’re going to trial – we’ll be prepared to represent you in court and work out the best agreement possible for you.
An uncontested divorce is the ideal scenario. You and your ex agree on all issues and do not need to resolve them. Your divorce will move along quickly if no disagreements exist.
An uncontested divorce can quickly become contested. Gray or high-asset divorcees often agree on terms until it comes time to discuss certain assets. Hidden assets or retirement accounts can lead to an immediate disagreement, dragging the proceedings out.
We’ll negotiate for you, coming to an agreement that works to the benefit of all parties.
See If You Qualify for An Annulment
If you have been served with divorce papers, you may be feeling overwhelmed, devastated, and unsure of what to do next.
The first step is to consult with a Cullman County divorce attorney. An attorney will explain your options, rights, obligations, and potential outcomes. They can also help you understand the claims made by your spouse in the divorce papers.
In Alabama, if you are served divorce papers, you have 30 days to answer the complaint. If you fail to file a response, the judge may rule in favor of your spouse by default.
Our attorneys will work with you to prepare a response and ensure your paperwork is filed on time.
The next steps may include:
Being served divorce papers can be a stressful time, especially if you weren’t expecting them. Having a skilled and experienced attorney on your side can make the process less stressful.
Our attorneys will advocate on your behalf to protect your rights and interests.
The cost of a divorce will largely depend on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. Generally, a simple, uncontested divorce will cost less than a contested divorce because there are fewer issues to resolve.
If a couple cannot come to an agreement on anything, that’s when the cost of a divorce can quickly add up. The more time spent fighting issues in court, the higher the cost of the divorce.
There are several other factors that can affect the cost of your divorce, including:
If costs are a concern, and there are no safety issues involved, you may be better served to come to an agreement with your spouse.
At Hankey Law Firm, we believe in being transparent with our clients and helping them understand the costs involved in their cases.
No two divorces are the same. Some are straightforward and amicable with no assets or children. Others are more complicated, with multiple assets and children. The more complex your divorce is, the longer the process will take (in many cases).
Even if your divorce falls into the simple and straightforward category, there are rules that will affect the timeline of your divorce. For example, in Alabama:
Paperwork must be signed. Terms must be agreed on. If children are involved, child custody and support matters can extend the timeline. The division of assets can further extend the proceedings if you have multiple assets or can’t come to an agreement on how things should be divided.
In theory, a divorce can take as little as 30 days. In practice, the process is typically longer.
Once we have a better understanding of your case, we can provide a rough timeline for the process. However, it’s important to remember that you cannot control your spouse’s actions. You may go into the process assuming everything will be amicable and later find that you cannot come to an agreement on the division of certain assets.
Every disagreement can extend the divorce proceedings.
Divorce can take an emotional toll on the entire family. Having the guidance and support of an experienced attorney will give you peace of mind and make the process less stressful.
The attorneys at Hankey Law Firm can help you navigate the complexities of divorce and all it entails, from asset division to child support and custody arrangements. We advocate strongly for our clients, protecting their rights and interests every step of the way.
Contact or call our firm today to schedule a consultation and discuss your divorce.
