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Lost Your Job? What Happens to Child Support?

  Losing a job can change a family’s financial situation almost overnight. Mortgage or rent payments, utilities, groceries, insurance, and other expenses continue even when a paycheck stops. If you are also paying or receiving child support, one question may quickly rise to the top: What happens to child support if you lose your job? In Arkansas, losing your job does not automatically cancel or change an existing child support order . A change in income may provide grounds to seek a modification, but the circumstances surrounding the job loss and the applicable child support guidelines matter. Arkansas courts require a change in circumstances before an existing child support order may be modified. If you are dealing with child support after a job loss, divorce, or another major life change, speaking with a family law Paragould, AR attorney can help you understand how the law applies to your particular circumstances. Does Child Support Automatically Stop When You Lose Your Job? No....

What Happens When Two Witnesses Tell Completely Different Stories?

  In a criminal case, two people can witness the same event and describe it very differently. One person may remember a particular action, conversation, or sequence of events while another gives a conflicting account. So, what happens when the stories don't match? Conflicting testimony does not automatically mean one witness is lying, nor does the court simply choose whichever witness sounds more confident. Witness testimony is evidence, and the fact-finder must determine what testimony is believable and how much weight it deserves. In an Arkansas criminal jury trial, jurors determine the facts and evaluate witness credibility based on the evidence presented in court. For someone facing criminal charges , these differences can become an important part of the defense. Why Do Witnesses Give Different Accounts? People don't experience or remember events like video cameras. Differences can arise because witnesses had different viewpoints, were focused on different things, or rememb...

Theft vs. Burglary in Arkansas: Understanding the Difference

  Theft and burglary are often mentioned together, but under Arkansas law, they are distinct criminal offenses. Understanding that distinction matters because the allegations, elements prosecutors must establish, and potential consequences can differ significantly. If you are facing either type of charge, speaking with a lawyer familiar with criminal law in Jonesboro, AR and Northeast Arkansas can help you understand the specific allegations and your legal options. What Is Theft in Arkansas? Under Arkansas Code § 5-36-103, theft of property generally involves knowingly taking or exercising unauthorized control over another person's property—or obtaining it by deception or threat—with the purpose of depriving the owner of it. In simpler terms, a theft allegation focuses primarily on property and the intent to deprive its owner of it . Examples could include allegations involving: taking merchandise without paying; taking another person's personal property; obtaining property th...

What Happens to Custody When a Parent Remarries?

  Remarriage can be an exciting new chapter, but when children and an existing custody arrangement are involved, it can also raise important legal questions. Parents may wonder whether getting remarried automatically affects custody, whether a new stepparent matters to the court, or whether the other parent can request a custody change. In Arkansas, remarriage does not automatically change an existing child custody order . When a parent asks a court to modify custody, Arkansas courts generally require a material change in circumstances and then consider whether modification is in the child's best interests. Custody decisions are highly fact-specific. If remarriage is creating questions about your parenting arrangement, consulting a Custody Lawyer in Jonesboro, AR can help you understand how Arkansas family law may apply to your particular circumstances. Does Remarriage Automatically Change Child Custody? Generally, no. Getting married again does not by itself rewrite an existing c...