Blended families have become increasingly common in Alabama in the past few years. Families where parents are divorcing are bound to face some complex issues and uncertainty, but a family composed of stepsiblings and stepparents usually presents a distinct set of challenges.
If you and your spouse in a blended family decide to get divorced, the most likely issues you may face are child custody , child support , and alimony. A seasoned family law attorney with experience in handling blended family divorce lawsuits can make sure that your rights are fully protected. When spouses with individual children create a new family unit, several issues can come up during a divorce.
You will need to interact with the ex-spouse regarding travel arrangements if you gain shared custody of the children. This can create a conflict since sharing custodial time can be awkward for everyone involved. You and your ex-spouse may need to come together for extracurricular activities, which makes it essential to be able to speak to each other.
You will need proof of changed circumstances to modify a child support order. For instance, a new marriage that brings stepchildren into your life may constitute a changed circumstance. An experienced divorce attorney may be able to help you get the most favorable child support order or a modification depending on your individual circumstances. Child support can get highly complicated when a blended marriage with children from the family unit ends in divorce.
One spouse is usually obligated to pay child support to the other spouse for any children born out of the marriage. Moreover, if one spouse has an obligation to pay child support from an earlier marriage, they may be required to pay less money. Spousal maintenance received in a blended family divorce is usually different from regular divorces. For instance, if the spouse that pays child support remarries and has new stepchildren, it may be considered a substantial change in circumstances.
