Family Law

• Divorce
  If you are filing for divorce or have been served with a Complaint for Divorce we can guide you through the divorce process. If you choose to file an uncontested divorce we can prepare all of the necessary documents required to effectuate a fairly simple, cost-effective, and time-saving divorce. If you decide that an agreement is not probable we can handle all of your contested divorce needs such as initial filing, discovery, settlement negotiations, mediations, trial, post-trial motions, and appeals.
• Child Support
  Once a custody determination is made child support will also be calculated in order to provide the custodial parent with financial support for the child.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  We can assist you with all of your child custody and support needs. We have experience in custody disputes whether it is initial custody determination or a modification of custody. Our attorneys know how important your child is to you, and we will fight for the best interest of you and your child. When it comes to establishing child support or modifying a support order we have a working knowledge of the Alabama established guidelines and modification criteria. We will do our best to ensure that you and your child get the financial support that you need.
• Guardianship
  Guardianships and Conservatorships: For our loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or physical disabilities, common tasks such as brushing one’s teeth, dressing, feeding oneself and bathing can become extremely difficult. Our loved ones may become forgetful or easily confused. The appointment of a guardianship and/or conservatorship are some of the ways to help you care for your loved one. Through a guardianship or conservatorship, you can become the court-ordered guardian or conservator to ensure that your loved one receives adequate personal care or to handle your loved one’s financial matters. By have the necessary powers given to a guardian or conservator you can maximize the quality of your loved one’s life.
• Spousal Support
  A spousal support modification can be requested once there has been a material change in circumstances of one or both parties after the entry of the Final Judgment of Divorce. The asking party bears the burden to prove that a change is necessary. Factors for the court to consider are...

Criminal Law

• Wrongful Death

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) is a branch of corporate law that deals with companies that purchase or merge with other companies.  This branch of law is one our specialties and something in which Chris Beard and Jonathan Arnold devote most of their practice.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Business Formation
• Business Disputes
• Trade Secrets

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
• Construction Litigation
  Whether you are protecting assets, acquiring a new business, selling your existing business, construction issues, family law issues, and personal injury, we understand that dealing with the justice system can be frustrating and overwhelming. We also understand that you might have experiences that left you feeling that there is no justice at all. But we believe we can change that. That’s why we promise to work to ensure you understand both the process and the best possible outcome for your situation, acquisition, or case. We want to make sure that you remain confident in our ability to close your transaction and/or pursue and obtain the justice you deserve. Over the course of our careers, we believe we’ve done just that. Many of our clients come back time and again. All of our attorneys have different specialties and are ready to represent your interests to the best of their ability.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
• Property Damage
  In personal injury cases, you’re entitled to your medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, property damage, reduction in property value and so on. Some cases involve an injury that will cause long term problems. In those instances, you may be awarded money for future pain and suffering and future lost wages, as long as it’s not speculative. If there are circumstances where you can prove wantonness, willfulness, or a reckless disregard for your safety, you may also be entitled to a punitive damages award.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  If you, or someone you know, have been injured in an accident, you most likely have a lot of questions about what happens next. Below are some of the FAQs that we most often receive. However, please keep in mind that the answers below are generalized answers and everyone’s case is different. If you’d like to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney at Fortune & Beard about the specifics of your case, please contact us today.
• Medical Malpractice
  Special Rules for Minors – Except in cases of medical malpractice or wrongful death, the limitations period begins to run on the minor’s 19th birthday but will last no longer than three years.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Actively protecting and preserving tangible and intangible assets is a specialty that Chris Beard and Jonathan Arnold work tirelessly to perfect.  Whether you are looking for judgment protection, business succession, or just simply risk-averse, a very well-thought-out plan is the best defense to preserving those assets.  Tools to preserve those assets are available to you in the great state of Alabama and we do employ other measures with specific laws from other states that also aid in protecting assets.  Whether you are looking for simple measures, advanced judgment issues, desire to plan for business maneuvers or estate planning, Fortune and Beard is your choice to prepare and execute those plans.
• Wills
  A Will, sometimes called a “Last Will and Testament”, to transfer property you hold in your name to the person(s) and/or organization(s) you want to have it. A Will also typically names someone you select to be your Personal Representative (or “Executor”) to carry out your instructions and names a Guardian if you have minor children. A Will only becomes effective upon your death, and after it is admitted to probate.
• Trusts
  A “Living Trust” can be used to hold legal title to and provide a mechanism to manage your property. You can select the person or persons you want — often even yourself — as the Trustee(s) to carry out the instructions you want in the Trust and name one or more Successor Trustees to take over if you cannot. Unlike a Will, a Trust usually becomes effective immediately, continues in force during your lifetime even in the event of your incapacity, and continues after your death. Most Trusts are “revocable” which allows the person who creates the Trust to make future changes, modifications and even to terminate it. (If the Trust is “irrevocable”, changes, modifications and termination are very difficult (and sometime impossible), although such Trusts often carry some tax benefits.) Trusts also help you avoid or minimize the expenses, delays and publicity of probate.
• Power of Attorney
  Wills, Trusts, a Durable Power of Attorney, and a Business Succession Plan are just a few ways to protect your assets and facilitate an orderly distribution. An orderly distribution can eliminate family disputes over your assets ensuring a smooth transition during the grieving period. A Health Care Proxy is another important document that will direct an appointed person to make medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. Having a health care proxy alleviates the stress and grief on your loved ones from having to make difficult medical decisions.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Tax Law
  A “Family Limited Partnership” can be used to own and manage your property, in a similar manner to a Trust, but allowing additional tax planning techniques to be employed. Family Limited Partnerships are typically used for those who have large estates and thus have a need for specialized estate planning in order to minimize federal and state estate/death/inheritance taxes as well as provide elements of asset protection.