When your divorce has finally been settled, and you are ready to move forward with your life, you may be wondering whether you are legally allowed to move out of state.  If you and your ex did not share children, you have the right to move wherever you like. However, if you and your ex share children, moving out of state may prove to be more challenging than you might have thought. A respected Alabama family Read More

In Alabama, your employers may choose to conduct a background investigation on you before receiving an offer of employment. If you have a criminal record, a current or potential employer may be able to see them. The laws that govern the use of your criminal record are outlined on both a state and federal level.  Federal laws exist to ensure accuracy. Is it possible that a new employer may see someone else’s Read More

One of the most challenging aspects of the process is that it may be challenging to plan out your future because so much of your life is in flux. A divorce is life-altering. The future you envisioned for yourself is changing. That doesn’t mean for the worse or better; it is just different. Not knowing how your marital assets will be divided puts you in a difficult position. How can you plan when you don’t have a Read More

When someone is injured on someone else’s property, they may ask if the owner is liable. The answer depends on several factors, but by understanding what they are, you will be in a better position to know whether someone is responsible for injuries you sustained.  It is true that property owners have to keep people safe when they are in their homes or on their property. That being said, certain circumstances have Read More

If you enter into the divorce process with the mindset that there must be a long, drawn-out battle, then you might be writing your own future. The fact is that divorce can gravitate towards being uncontested.  Many people who have been through highly contested divorces ultimately become more flexible and willing to talk through issues after everything has been finalized and emotions have settled. Will every couple Read More

Getting charged with a DUI has far-reaching consequences. It could result in your Driver’s License being suspended. It could lead to lengthy and expensive court experiences. Depending on the severity of the situation, you could even be facing time in jail. One question that we get asked a lot hits a little closer to home: can you lose your job over a DUI? The answer, as with most legal questions, is “it depends.” Read More

At John M. Totten, P.C., we know that nothing is more important to a parent in a divorce than the wellbeing of their child. Most parents’ number one concern is spending as much time with their child as possible. The truth is that following a divorce, everyone’s lifestyle changes dramatically. No one will get to see their child every single day like before - but you can work to spend as much time with them as Read More

Whether or not you have been through a divorce personally, helping a friend through one is always a unique experience. If you are close friends with someone who is going through a divorce, it is important to be there for them and take your responsibility seriously. Here are 7 ways you can help a friend who is going through a divorce: Help Them Find a Place To Stay The most immediate concern during a divorce is Read More

Every job’s first priority should be the safety of their employees. Unfortunately, we know that is not always the case. When you feel your working environment is unsafe, it is very important to raise those concerns to others. Even though it can be difficult to speak up, it is always better to protect yourself and those around you than to suffer an injury on the job. Unsafe working conditions can come in many Read More

Riding a motorcycle around the North Alabama countryside is one of the most thrilling and wonderful things anyone can do. The land is beautiful, the ride is smooth, and with the wind at your back, nothing can slow you down. If only it wasn’t so dangerous. It is a sad fact that motorcyclists are much more likely to get injured in an accident than car drivers. The Insurance Information Institute reported that in Read More