When Divorce Turns Your Life Upside Down, I Can Get You Through
Who gets married thinking that marriage will end in divorce? Almost no one. When your marriage is breaking up, it can seem as if your life will never be the same. Naturally, the emotional and financial aspects seem insurmountable. But you must find financial and legal solutions. There are many details to resolve at this time of transition. This is not the time to head into an unknown future without a lawyer’s advice and help.
As the sole attorney at Richard E. Mather Attorney at Law, I understand the mental strain and emotional stress you may be feeling regarding your divorce. When you have me on your side, you can feel at ease knowing that I can advocate for your best interests throughout every step of the divorce process. That way, you can maneuver the ups and downs of it all with confidence.
How To Prepare For A Divorce In Alabama
Regardless of whether you and your spouse have children, you need a new plan to move you forward. Preparing for a divorce involves several steps:
- Gather financial documents: Collect all financial records, including bank statements, tax returns, credit card statements and property deeds. Having these documents can be important, particularly when determining the division of marital property.
- Understand your assets and debts: Make a list of all assets and debts to ensure a fair division. This can include shared property like the family home, vehicles, furniture, art collections, kitchenware and other things.
- Consider child custody arrangements: Think about what custody arrangement would be in the best interest of your children. What the best interests of your children are can depend on your specific circumstances.
- Consult a divorce attorney: Seek legal advice to understand your rights and obligations.
I am family law attorney Richard E. Mather of Mobile, Alabama. I believe in sitting down with each and every one of my clients and listening attentively to their needs at Richard E. Mather, Attorney at Law. With more than 25 years of legal experience and a personal commitment to helping those in need, I will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Inch By Inch, You Can Fight Your Way Back
Even when divorce was never in your game plan, I am confident that you can get your life back on track. I can help you find efficient, reasonable answers to issues such as:
- Property division, including real estate, personal property, bank accounts, investments and retirement assets
- Spousal support and/or alimony, if one of you has been financially dependent on the other
- Child custody plans, visitation and support
Every case is different, and several factors influence the outcome of divorce-related issues, from the length of your marriage and income to claims of marital misconduct and whether you have children.
If you and your spouse can negotiate reasonably, you may be able to settle your case by agreement. Even if your divorce is contested – that is, you cannot agree on terms and you have to file in court – it may still be resolved through agreement or mediation instead of a trial.
I am available and ready to serve as your knowledgeable advocate and guide through all legal processes. If your spouse is hiding income or assets or is not playing fairly with custody arrangements, I am well-prepared to pursue justice for you and your children.
When Other Legal Issues Matter To Your Family
In addition to divorce, I help clients with the following:
- Custody and support modifications, and enforcement of court orders
- Stepparent adoptions and other private adoptions
- Paternity actions and termination of parental rights
- Fathers’ rights and mothers’ rights
- Name changes
- Guardianships
As a seasoned divorce attorney, I can provide the legal insights, objective advice and resolution strategies you’d need to make informed decisions. And I will fight to protect your rights throughout the process.
Resolving Your Divorce Through Agreement: What To Know About Uncontested Divorce
When both spouses can reach a consensus on property division, support and child-related matters, your divorce moves forward as uncontested.
You work with your attorneys and sometimes a mediator to negotiate terms that both parties find acceptable. Once you sign the settlement agreement, it goes to the court for final approval.
This approach offers clear advantages compared to contested divorce, including:
- Shorter timeline: Your case can wrap up in weeks or months instead of dragging on for over a year
- Lower expenses: Fewer court appearances and less litigation mean reduced legal fees
- More say in the outcome: You and your spouse make the decisions rather than leaving them to a judge
- Private resolution: Your personal and financial details stay out of public court records
- Less animosity: Working cooperatively helps preserve relationships, especially when you are co-parenting
As your attorney, I help ensure you understand every term you are agreeing to and that nothing gets overlooked in the paperwork.
When You Cannot Reach An Agreement With Your Spouse
Not every divorce allows for negotiation. If you and your spouse disagree on how to divide assets, determine support or arrange custody, your case becomes contested.
That means filing court petitions, exchanging financial records, attending hearings and potentially going to trial. Disputes might involve property values, retirement accounts, business interests, spousal support amounts or parenting time.
Contested divorces take longer and cost more, but sometimes litigation is the only path to protecting what you have earned and what your children need. My role as your attorney is to oversee every facet of your case, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Why Legal Representation Matters In Court
Handling a contested divorce without an attorney puts you at a serious disadvantage. Judges expect proper legal filings, timely responses and persuasive arguments grounded in Alabama law.
As a lawyer who has been doing this for a while, I take care of the following legal work so you do not have to:
- All paperwork: Pleadings, motions and financial disclosures prepared correctly and filed on time
- Building your case: Collecting records, securing witness statements and obtaining property valuations
- Courtroom advocacy: Presenting your side and questioning witnesses during hearings and at trial
- Stronger negotiating position: Being fully prepared for litigation often leads to better settlement offers
Whether you are working toward an agreement or heading to court, my representation aims to level the playing field.
Start Protecting Yourself And Your Family Today
To schedule a consultation about a divorce, child custody case or child-related dispute, call my Mobile, Alabama, law office, Richard E. Mather Attorney at Law at 251-239-3089 or complete an online form.