Best Family Lawyer in Alabama
Elizabeth Zwiebel
Family Lawyer
Lauren Spradling has been practicing domestic and family law since 2015. She is a graduate of Cumberland School of Law. Lauren attended the University of Alabama and graduated with honors in Political Science and History.
While at Alabama, she was a member of Alpha Delta Chi sorority. During her time, she served on the sorority’s Executive Board as treasurer. She is currently the president of the Tau Chapter’s Alumnae Counsel.
Lauren accepts her own cases for representation and also serves as the second chair on cases for Elizabeth Zwiebel. Lauren is our Senior Associate Attorney at The Zwiebel Law Firm. Her practice is focused on divorce, both contested and uncontested, property division, asset valuation and/or dissipation, alimony, child support, child custody, visitation, paternity, dependency, post-divorce modification, co
Lauren Spradling
Family Lawyer
I’m Andrea, and I believe it’s possible to resolve family law matters without tearing your family apart. Whether you are ending a relationship or trying to prevent potential problems in your current relationship, I want to help you reach your goals with minimal conflict.
I use a variety of non-adversarial strategies to set boundaries and resolve disagreements between couples who are divorcing as well as those making a commitment to marry or stay married. I get to know my clients, their concerns, and their goals for their future. I then assist them by crafting solutions to meet specific needs before, during, or at the end of a marriage. When serving as a mediator, I help both parties understand each other’s concerns, bridge their differences, and arrive at an agreement that works for both. Divorce agreements, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements involve much more than protecting assets. These agreements protect your future as well as your children’s future. The process you use to come to decisions with your partner, as well as what those decisions are, can affect you and your family for the rest of your life. By being educated on your options, you will be better prepared to make decisions that will allow you to move forward without regret.
Mattie Williams
Family Lawyer
Mattie Williams is a member of the Alabama State Bar, Birmingham Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section of Alabama, and Family Law Section of Alabama. She is a graduate from the Australian National University College of Law. Mattie grew up in Birmingham and moved to Australia after high school to pursue her legal education. She is admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia.
While she loved her time in Australia, she always knew she wanted to move back to Birmingham to start her career and live near her family. Mattie is passionate about family law and helping her clients navigate some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Patrick K. Yeatts
Family Lawyer
Family law attorney Patrick K. Yeatts is the owner and founder of The Yeatts Law Firm. Before founding The Yeatts Law Firm, Patrick served low-income families of Jefferson County, Alabama as a staff attorney for The Legal Aid Society of Birmingham, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Birmingham Bar Association. As a certified guardian ad litem, Patrick represented children who were removed from abusive homes or caught in the middle of custody battles. He ensured their legal rights were protected and their voices heard. By representing nearly four-hundred clients a year in various family law cases, Patrick gained extensive trial experience and a keen understanding of family law in Alabama.
Patrick decided to apply the skills he acquired while working in public service to the private sector. He founded The Yeatts Law Firm, a boutique law practice that focuses on family law exclusively, including divorce, adoptions and child custody disputes. Patrick is a member of the Alabama State Bar, Alabama State Bar Association and Birmingham Bar Association. He is also a member of the Birmingham Bar Association’s Family Law Section and Solo/Small Firm Section. In 2013, Patrick served as co-chairman of the Family, Domestic Relations & Juvenile Court Procedures Committee. He has been recognized as a “Lead Counsel” by Thompson Reuters based on his peer recommendations, professional experience and spotless record.
Sarah Kirby
Family Lawyer
Family law attorney Sarah Kirby is an associate with The Yeatts Law Firm. Sarah began her legal career her first year in law school, serving as a pro bono volunteer for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Project (DACA). As an advocate for individuals who came to the United States as children, Sarah assisted Dreamers in achieving Deferred Action status. Sarah’s minor in Spanish proved invaluable as she mostly communicated with clients in Spanish.
Also, while in law school, she completed clerkships with the Birmingham law firms of Smith, Spires, and Peddy, PC; Fuston, Petway, and French, LLP; and The Yeatts Law Firm. During her tenure with the latter, Sarah has prepared appellate briefs; marital settlement agreements; and divorce, custody, dependency, delinquency, and adoption documents.
A graduate of Cumberland School of Law, Sarah also completed a summer study program in international law at the University of Innsbruck Institute on World Legal Problems in Innsbruck, Austria. She is a member of the Alabama State Bar.
Attorney Christina Perry
Family Lawyer
Christina Perry was born in Germany and relocated to Brisbane, Australia at a young age. She then moved to the Birmingham area in 2004 and attended the University of Alabama where she received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Christina attended the Birmingham School of Law and received her Juris Doctor. While at Birmingham School of Law, she was a member of the Hugh Locke Honor Society and graduated in the top ten percent of her class.
Christina is no stranger to the practice of law. She worked for two of the largest personal injury law firms in the State of Alabama prior to coming to work for our firm. She has represented several clients across the state and has tried a number of cases. She has been recognized as Top 40 under 40 while practicing. She is a member of the Alabama State Bar, and the Northern, Middle and Southern United States District Courts of Alabama.
Attorney Richard Perry
Family Lawyer
Born and raised in Madison, MS. Moved to Birmingham to attend law school. Has primarily practiced Criminal Defense and Domestic Relations since he began practicing law.
Education
- Attended law school at Southern Cross University in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia – LLB.
- Attended law school at College of Law in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia for admission as a solicitor at law.
- Graduated with a Bachelors and Masters degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.
- Graduated from Birmingham School of Law.
Memberships and Licenses
- Member of the Shelby County Bar Association.
- Member of the Birmingham Bar Association.
- Licensed to practice law as a solicitor in Queensland, Australia.
- Licensed by Supreme Court of Alabama.
- Licensed in the US District Court Northern District of Alabama.
- Admitted to the High Court of Australia.
- Admitted to the High Court as a barrister and solicitor in the High Court of New Zealand.
- Accredited Duty Lawyer – Legal Aid Queensland, Australia
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem.
Stephen W. Williams
Family Lawyer
Attorney Stephen Williams is the Managing Partner at Foxtrot Family Law, which has office locations in Guntersville and Huntsville, Alabama. Serving individuals and families throughout Marshall and Madison counties and the surrounding areas, Stephen devotes his practice exclusively to family law, particularly as it relates to contentious child custody and child support matters.
Early in his legal career, Stephen was fortunate to work under the tutelage of a former juvenile judge, where he gained invaluable insight into the state’s complicated child custody laws. This experience has served him well as he advocates on behalf of his clients who are coming to terms with their changing family dynamics and reaching child custody agreements that will serve their families for years to come. He also has extensive experience with interstate child custody, fathers’ rights, grandparents’ rights, third-party custody, and other similar matters.
Joshua J. Holcomb
Family Lawyer
Attorney Stephen Williams is the Managing Partner at Foxtrot Family Law, which has office locations in Guntersville and Huntsville, Alabama. Serving individuals and families throughout Marshall and Madison counties and the surrounding areas, Stephen devotes his practice exclusively to family law, particularly as it relates to contentious child custody and child support matters.
Early in his legal career, Stephen was fortunate to work under the tutelage of a former juvenile judge, where he gained invaluable insight into the state’s complicated child custody laws. This experience has served him well as he advocates on behalf of his clients who are coming to terms with their changing family dynamics and reaching child custody agreements that will serve their families for years to come. He also has extensive experience with interstate child custody, fathers’ rights, grandparents’ rights, third-party custody, and other similar matters.
In Alabama, family lawyers play a crucial role in handling legal matters related to family and domestic issues. They provide a range of services to individuals and families, including the following:
Divorce and Separation: Family lawyers in Alabama assist clients in navigating the divorce process, including the division of property, spousal support, child custody, and visitation rights. They ensure that all legal requirements are met and advocate for their clients’ best interests during negotiations or court proceedings.
Child Custody and Support: Family lawyers help clients establish child custody arrangements that prioritize the best interests of the children involved. They assist in developing parenting plans, determining visitation schedules, and ensuring that child support obligations are fair and properly enforced under Alabama’s child support guidelines.
Adoption and Guardianship: Alabama family lawyers guide individuals or couples through the legal procedures involved in adoption or guardianship. They help with the necessary paperwork, ensure compliance with Alabama adoption laws, and represent clients in court during adoption or guardianship proceedings.
Paternity Issues: Family lawyers in Alabama assist clients in establishing paternity when it is necessary to determine parental rights and obligations. They help with DNA testing, filing petitions to establish paternity, and address matters such as child custody and support based on Alabama laws.
Domestic Violence and Protective Orders: Alabama family lawyers provide support to individuals facing domestic violence or abuse. They assist clients in obtaining protective orders or restraining orders, provide advice on available legal options and resources, and represent them in court during hearings related to these matters.
Pre-nuptial and Post-nuptial Agreements: Family lawyers help couples in Alabama draft and negotiate prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. These agreements outline the division of assets, spousal support, and other matters in the event of separation, divorce, or death. Family lawyers ensure that these agreements comply with Alabama law and protect their clients’ interests.
Estate Planning: Family lawyers in Alabama assist clients with estate planning matters. They help create wills, establish trusts, designate beneficiaries, and plan for the distribution of assets after death, ensuring that clients’ wishes regarding their estate are legally documented and properly executed according to Alabama laws.
When seeking a family lawyer in Alabama, it is important to find an attorney who is knowledgeable about Alabama family law, experienced in handling similar cases, and dedicated to providing effective representation. Consulting with the Alabama State Bar or seeking recommendations from trusted sources can be helpful in finding a qualified family lawyer in Alabama.