Alaska is a “no-fault” divorce State. This means the Courts do not consider fault or blame when making determinations regarding custody and property.
Division of assets / liabilities – In Alaska, the court presumes that the marital assets/liabilities (acquired during marriage) will be divided equally during property settlement. We have experience with issues such as a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) to divide retirement accounts.
Spousal support or alimony – In general, the court prefers that all financial matters are settled during the division of assets. Spousal support may be awarded for reorientation to the workforce or rehabilitation and, in some extremely rare cases, may be awarded on a permanent basis.
Child custody – The court favors 50/50 custody arrangements and does not favor removing a child from either parent. Out-of-state parental rights is an issue with which we are familiar. Our family law attorneys are completely familiar with all of the issues common during child custody determinations or custody disputes.
Child support – In Alaska, there is a specific guideline (Civil Rule 90.3. Child Support Awards), which is non-negotiable. We can help you understand the guideline.
Adoptions – Our lawyers would be pleased to help you accomplish an adoption.
Domestic Violence and Divorcing Spouses
Alaska has a very high rate of domestic violence. The contributors are many and range from alcohol abuse to the lack of sunlight in the winter. It is particularly common for couples to consider divorce when they are facing economic hardships. As attorneys with experience in both family law and criminal defense, we also have significant experience representing those involved in a domestic violence dispute, and in obtaining or fighting restraining orders.
There are exceptions to all of the legal principles stated above. Each individual case may vary depending on the facts and circumstances. It is important to seek legal advice before relying on any of the information provided to determine what results or outcome you may expect.
While our firm’s lawyers are excellent litigators we also have a very good record for settling cases and avoiding the added expense of a trial.
Call for a consultation.