Author: Hernandez & Associates Law Firm
WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE A CHOICE MY CHILD’S SCHOOL MADE?
Mobile, Alabama, residents with special needs children must rely on their child’s school to provide a suitable education. As previous posts on this blog have discussed, under federal law, they have every right to do so. However, getting what one wants out of their child’s school system is not always easy. There can be disagreements about what…
IS IT ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP THE HOUSE?
Even Mobile couples who are of modest means are likely to own a home during the course of their marriage. As a result, should these couples face divorce or legal separation, they will have to figure out how to divide the home between themselves according to Alabama family law. Not surprisingly, people may have a lot…
HOW WE HELP PEOPLE STAND UP TO BULLIES
For generations, Alabamans have known that schools and even offices and other workplaces can be cruel environments. Often, one person or a small group uses what power and influence they have to belittle or degrade others whom they see as weaker. This sort of behavior, which can only be called bullying, is fortunately getting more attention…
WHAT IS AN IEP?
Many people in Mobile probably recognize that education is not a one-size-fits-all prospect. Everyone learns in different ways, and each individual Alabaman is going to bring his or her own strengths and weaknesses to the table. However, the realities of administering the public-school system in Alabama requires some streamlining. While this is normally understandable, the…
3 LONG-TERM COPING STRATEGIES FOR DIVORCEES
Divorce is one of the more difficult endeavors you’ll go through in your life. Feelings of anger, remorse, dread, regret and confusion are normal and valid. Allow yourself to feel these emotions when they come — but don’t allow yourself to drown in them. Here are a few long-term coping strategies that can help make…
WHEN IS THE POSSESSION OF EVERYDAY OBJECTS A DRUG CRIME?
Sometimes, a spoon is just a piece of cutlery or a syringe is just a piece of medical equipment. However, there are situations in which common items such as these may be considered drug paraphernalia. Because the possession of drug paraphernalia is against the law, it is important to understand what it is, so those…
CHANGES TO ALABAMA ANTI-BULLYING LAWS SLOW TO TAKE EFFECT
October is Anti-Bullying Awareness month, and many states have taken action by passing laws addressing this important issue. Alabama is one of these states that passed a law last spring in which school districts were to comply with certain anti-bullying guidelines. However, the school districts still haven’t received the instructions about how they are to do so….
WHAT HAPPENS IF ONE FAILS TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT IN ALABAMA?
In Alabama, both of a child’s parents are responsible for meeting the child’s financial needs. When parents are no longer in a relationship with one another, the custodial parent meets the child’s financial needs by having the child in their physical care. The noncustodial parent meets the child’s financial needs through the payment of child…
OXYCONTIN PERVASIVE IN ALABAMA
Wide use of the narcotic pain reliever, OxyContin, began with the manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, selling the substance in the United States in 1996. Since then, the prescription drug has gained a bad reputation for its high likelihood of abuse. In fact, the state of Alabama even sued Purdue Pharma earlier this year over the OxyContin producer’s failure to…
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LAWS IN THE U.S.
Children with special needs deserve to have the same chance at a public education that other students in Alabama and nationwide are entitled to. Therefore, the federal government began passing laws in 1975 that prevented discrimination against disabled students in public schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2013, more than…