Alabama Divorce & Family Law Attorney Blog : Birmingham Divorce Lawyer & Attorney : Eversole Law Firm : Serving Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile Alabama

According to a study released this month by the U.S. Census Bureau, age, money, education status, employment, those receiving public assistance and couples with children were six areas identified by the study that lead to divorce.

Divorce can be difficult for people of any race, age and poverty level. Sometimes, the person they believed would be there forever cheats and ruins their marriage. Pressures from finances and children can push people to seek a separation. Whatever the reason, Birmingham divorce attorneys are ready to assist you in your case.

According to "Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009," Census numbers were based on 39,000 U.S. households. 24/7 Wall St. identified the six characteristics that make a person more likely to identify themselves as divorced: income, receipt of public assistance, age, education, children and employment.

For instance, people who didn't finish college are 16 to 19 percent more likely to be recently divorced. In general, the less educated make less money and are more likely to be divorced and the recently divorced are more likely to, therefore, have less money. Women living below the poverty line are 94 percent more likely to be recently divorced, the website reports.

Men and women who work full time are 35 and 46 percent, respectively, more likely to be divorced. Some speculate that either can mean that people working full time have the financial capability to gain independence and can afford a divorce. Others believe it simply means that divorcees must work full-time because they are now supporting themselves.

While the statistics can be interesting to look at, Jefferson County Divorce attorneys work with people, not numbers. Our goal is to provide not only the best representation to protect your future, but also the emotional support that is required in a tough life decision like divorce.

Whether you believe you and your spouse can agree to some kind of divorce mediation, a dispute resolution process that doesn't require the court, collaborative divorce proceedings or if your marriage is highly contested and bitter, our law firm can help. We will be your advocate and fight to get the assets that belong to you, work to make sure the process is as painless as possible and ensure you can come out of it ready to move on with your life.

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A study by Swedish researchers found that a long commute to work could cause couples to divorce, according to The Local, an English language Swedish news source.

Jefferson County Divorce Lawyers are prepared to represent spouses who are seeking a divorce for any reason. Some of the most common reasons for divorce in Alabama are money problems, infidelity, poor communication, abuse and differences in expectations. Whatever the reason, consult with an attorney who will work to keep the emotional baggage that sometimes comes with a divorce proceeding at bay. Equally important is protecting your rights and your long term quality-of-life and financial well-being.

The Swedish study was based on data from 2 million Swedish households from 1995 to 2000 and found the risk of divorce increases 40 percent for commuters and is highest in the first few years of commuting. Researchers concluded that such commutes can promote gender stereotypes at home and in the workforce that can cause stress on couples.

In families where the man commutes, the woman is often forced to take a less-qualified job closer to home. That means the woman would be making less money and she would have a larger share of the household and child responsibility. Women commuters had an increase in salary and career prospects, but other studies showed they endure more stress and feel less successful in their careers than commuting men.

“To be able to commute to work can be a positive thing because it means you don’t have to uproot your family with every career move but it can also be a strain on your relationship,” said author Erika Sandow.

According to 2000 U.S. Census Bureau data, the most recent available for commute times, more than 23 million Americans had a commute of 40 minutes or longer. That was up from about 17 million in 1990. 2010 Census data regarding commuters hasn't been released.

Divorces happen for many reasons in Alabama. Regardless of the reason, it's important to consult with an experienced Birmingham divorce and family law attorney who will be committed to protecting your best interests and, if you have children, the best interests of your kids. There's no question job stress plays a part in the health of any relationship -- and that has never been more true than during the tough economic times of the past few years.

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Recently released statistics show that couples more likely to reach their 10-year wedding anniversary as divorces have leveled off, The Associated Press reports.

While it is good news that marriages are lasting longer, the story also suggests that couples often struggle in the seven-year period. If you are considering a divorce in Alabama, contact Birmingham Family Law and Divorce Lawyers.

About three out of four people who have been married since 1990 said they reached their 10-year anniversary, which is up about three percent over men and women married in the 1980s, when divorce rates peaked, census figures stated.

According to news reports it's possible that divorces have slipped because of couples living together before they get married and the rising age of people when they do tie the knot. Education and job opportunity may also be factors.

Divorces climbed in the 1960s and 1970s, when laws passed making it easier to get a divorce. But the recent report said couples who broke up, on average, did so around seven years in, which is often called the "seven-year itch." The report maintains that about one in every two marriages will end in divorce.

While many people get divorced, it can be a psychological nightmare. Court hearings, dividing up your assets and often having to deal with children and other family members can be difficult. Trust Alabama divorce lawyers to take the emotion out of divorce and focus on protecting your financial future.

And if you have children, it is vital that you hire an aggressive attorney. Child custody and visitation in Alabama can be difficult. In Alabama, there is temporary, legal and physical custody. And judges have the authority to make decisions that deviate from state rules if they believe it is in the child's best interests. So that's why you need someone fighting for you and your children.

But while many divorces can be difficult, there are also times when working together for the best of each spouse and the best of the children is possible. That's when mediation and collaborative family law can help ease the transition from married to single.

Consult with an attorney in Birmingham or elsewhere in Alabama if you're considering divorce and want to be well represented at every stage of the proceeding. Preserve your rights. Calling is the first step.

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Alabama has the third-highest divorce rate for men and fourth-highest rate for women, according to a recent report in the Anniston Star.

While marriage is often a joyous occasion, divorce can be heart-breaking. But Alabama divorce lawyers are dedicated to working to take the emotion out of a divorce. Our firm helps families work through the process by trying to minimize the psychological impact, reduce turmoil and preserve assets for the future.

The newspaper speculates that poverty plays a role in Alabama's rankings. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state has the 10th-highest poverty rate, with its ranking for child poverty at 9th and elderly at 7th. Perhaps for couples already having problems, economic stress plays a factor in divorce.

Another factor in overall declining divorce numbers is that people are waiting longer to get married. According to the newspaper, women have more career options than they did 25 years ago and more young people pursue education after high school rather than settle down with their high school sweetheart. The older people are when they get married, the more likely they are to stay married, statistics show.

Alabama divorce rates are among the highest in the country, according to the Center for Disease Control. Statistics from 2009 suggest that 4.4 out of every 1,000 people in Alabama got divorced in 2009. Based on 2009 U.S. Census Bureau numbers, a population of 4.7 million and that divorce rate, more than 21,000 Alabamians were divorced in 2009.

The divorce process can be a legally complex process and requires trained professionals who are dedicated to putting the time and effort into preparing your case. There are many options in a divorce that should be explored before a final resolution.

Birmingham divorce mediation can be the most amicable, when couples resolve issues between them without court intervention. Collaborative divorce proceedings are also helpful to both sides, with good communication and a plan to finalize the divorce.

But sometimes divorces are so bitterly contested they require extensive attorney representation. If you are going through a contested divorce in Alabama, call a trustworthy advocate.

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As the Alabama Divorce & Family Law Attorney Blog reported recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver split after 25 years of marriage. And now we know why. With news that Schwarzenegger fathered a child out of wedlock, experts believe infidelity isn't as uncommon as people may like to believe, CNN reports.

What the story shows is how important a Birmingham divorce lawyer is in planning your future when contemplating divorce. What's most important in situations like this is not to make any rash decisions that could adversely affect you or your children in the next few years. Consult an experienced Alabama family law attorney who can guide you through a divorce, child custody or paternity case.

Schwarzenegger fathered a child 10 years ago with a worker in the couple's California home, he recently stated to the public. The CNN story reports therapists and marriage experts say it can be difficult to recover when a spouse is unfaithful.

Some experts say the percentage of marriages where one or both spouses admit to either physical or emotional infidelity is 41 percent. One author reports that 60 percent of men and 40 percent of women will have an affair at some point in their marriage. The acceptability of infidelity varies with cultures and its tolerance varies in one's circle of friends.

It's unclear how many divorces result from infidelity. And while it's possible for marriages to endure a cheating spouse, it's also possible that such an event can be devastating to the marriage, the children and family and friends.

Alabama divorce attorneys have seen the pain and frustration cheating can cause in a marriage. If you have made the decision to seek a divorce, don't try to do it alone. Often, mediation in Alabama is an option for an amicable split of assets. A contested divorce requires more work and a full-time family law attorney but can help ensure the future financial well-being of you and your family.

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One of the biggest problems for couples going through a divorce involving children is the interference of in-laws because of their connection to the children, according to the syndicated advice column Ex-Etiquette for Parents.

Alabama divorce and family law attorneys will be there to help you through every step of the process, which is often painful and emotionally draining for the spouses, children and in-laws.

The column starts with a question from a grandparent "in the middle of" their son's divorce, asking for advice on how to deal with anger toward their ex-daughter-in-law and how to help the son and grandchildren.

The experts suggest that the grandparents be willing to help with the kids if asked, but not to insert themselves in the divorce proceedings. And while support during a divorce is crucial, relatives shouldn't be quick to overstep their bounds in trying to help in such a tough situation.

While relatives often have strong feelings about a divorce, especially in cases where children are involved and can be subject to an awkward family life as a result, counseling may be appropriate, the columnist advise. The columnists suggest that relatives not say anything negative about the divorce to the children because it can affect their views of their parents and the relatives making derogatory statements.

In Alabama, custody and visitation can be tricky to work out. The state has three forms of custody: temporary, legal and physical. Courts prefer joint custody so that both parents are making decisions for their children. In Alabama, children become a ward of the court upon a divorce being filed. Collaborative divorce and divorce mediation allows parents to make decisions about child custody. And like any divorce involving kids, child support and alimony in Alabama may be an issue, so choose your attorney wisely.

But the good news is that a proposed law in Alabama would require equal custody in most divorce cases, as revealed in "Law Would Award Joint Custody in Most Alabama Child Custody Cases."

Grandparents do have rights. In some cases, a grandparent has been a primary caregiver for a child and may also have a say in how custody and visitation arrangements are handled.

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Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver have split after 25 years of marriage, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The announcement underscores the importance of hiring an experienced Birmingham divorce attorney, who can take the emotion out of divorce and fight for what's right. Divorces can be messy and if you're contemplating divorce, contact an attorney who can make sure your rights are represented outside of court as well as in front of a judge. Thus far, it looks like the Schwarzenegger/Shriver split will be about as amicable as they come. But just because you and your partner agree -- or think you agree -- on a fair division of assets doesn't mean you each don't need an attorney to protect your rights.

California is a "community property" state, meaning that assets and debts acquired during marriage are divided equally. But In Alabama, the law doesn't automatically assume property needs to be split evenly in a divorce. In fact, there isn't a set formula for splitting a couple's assets. The property can be divided by who is at fault more, who needs more money and by who contributed more financially to the marriage.

In the case of Schwarzenegger and Shriver, the couple has been split for weeks, the newspaper reports. Over the years, the couple has come under scrutiny, especially in 2003, when The Times reported that the actor-turned-politician had a history of groping women. But Shriver defended her husband and propelled him to victory. The couple, married in 1986, have four children, ages 14, 18, 20 and 21.

Divorces with children can be especially difficult. Alabama law allows for spouses to make decisions about the custody of their children in collaborative divorce or divorce mediation proceedings. Otherwise, the children may be considered wards of the court until the divorce is finalized.

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Filing for divorce in Birmingham is a vulnerable time in the lives of both parties. However, the Boston Globe reports the lifetime security of women may be most at stake -- even if retirement is years away.

Birmingham divorce attorneys know that a poorly conceived and executed divorce may never permit a spouse to regain the standard of living they enjoyed during their marriage -- whatever their socioeconomic strata. Even economically advantaged couples can find themselves in financial trouble -- few realize the true impact of twice the expenses and half the income until well after they have settled into their split lives.

Asset and wealth protection should be a significant factor in your planning. Divorce attorneys understand the risks and can often help clients protect themselves from some of the potential long-term impacts of a divorce.

For women, the risk can come from never having been responsible for handling long-term investments. While it may sound sexist, it remains a common problem. And the truth of the matter is that women find it harder to save for a comfortable retirement; they typically earn less, live longer and have less financial-planning skills.

Single retirees are at the greatest risk of poverty. And advocates remain concerned about the millions of divorced, widowed or never-married baby boomers who are currently hitting retirement.

-Women outlive men by an average of 5 to 7 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a 65-year-old woman can expect to live another 20 years.

-Women only earn 77 percent of what men make on average; and 3 of 5 women make less than $30,000 a year.

-The average woman only spends about 12 years in the workforce.

While divorce is often contemplated -- sometimes silently and sometimes in the open -- for months or even years before it is initiated, the reality is too few divorces begin with the proper planning. Speaking to an experienced Alabama divorce attorney -- even before you speak with your spouse -- is the best course of action. This is particularly true if your spouse is responsible for the vast majority of the financial planning in a relationship. Gathering the kind of documentation needed to protect your financial future is best done before the onset of potential hostile relations.

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