About hcollier

I am an attorney in Foley, Alabama that primarily handles criminal, family, and estate planning matters. I have been in private practice for the last few years and I enjoy fighting for my clients. Prior to becoming an attorney, I worked for the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles Legal Division, in Montgomery, AL, while in law school. I use my knowledge gained while working at the Board and the contacts I have developed to help my criminal clients, as well as those seeking an earlier parole or pardon. I love helping other clients handle what is often the most difficult time in their lives and that of their children, which is going through a divorce. I am compassionate and there for my clients when they need me. I do the best I can to help them through any uncertainty they may have following this often emotional experience and answer the questions they may have. My goal is to help them get through this difficult period while making sure their rights and entitlements are preserved through the Court system and they get the best possible outcome for their divorce and custody matters. Estate planning is also something near and dear to my heart. I have been doing estate planning since 2010. However, upon losing my youngest sister at the tender age of 23 earlier this year, it has taken on new meaning. Helping those plan for such unavoidable circumstances has become a cause of mine that I encourage everyone to pursue. Estate planning does so much to help your family after you are gone, that you owe it to both yourself and to them to have all of your wishes known. Helpful things to consider include: Wills, Durable Power of Attorney and Advanced Health Care Directives, as well as establishing a Trust, if practical.

News flash:  If you are a parent that wishes they had custody of their child, yet your conduct makes you a less-than-stellar parent, you better get your priorities in order. 1. Judges look to the type of crowd you hang around because that is the type of crowd your children would hang around when they…

TOP CHILD CUSTODY FACTORS FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER IN INITIAL CUSTODY DETERMINATIONS (WHERE CUSTODY HAS NEVER BEEN DETERMINED BY A COURT) 1. SEX AND AGE OF EACH CHILD 2. EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, MORAL, MATERIAL AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF EACH CHILD 3. HOME ENVIRONMENTS OFFERED BY EACH PARTY 4. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH PARTY SEEKING CUSTODY,…

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 1. People embroiled in custody battles need to understand that your ex will try to use everything they can against you to get custody of the children you share.  As a result, you need to be smart about what you choose to post on social media accounts such as Facebook, MySpace, Instagram…

Willingham v. Matthews via www.justia.com Docket: 1130890 Opinion Date: September 19, 2014 Judge: Wise Areas of Law: Trusts & Estates Brandy Matthews and Joshua Taylor Matthews were married in 2004. In 2011, Brandy died as a result of gunshot wounds inflicted by Joshua. Brandy’s death was determined to be a homicide. On the same date, Joshua…

Towles v. Alabama via www.justia.com Court: Alabama Supreme Court Docket: 1121099 Opinion Date: September 19, 2014 Judge: Bolin Areas of Law: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law Kevin Towles was convicted of capital murder for killing his son, Geontae Glass, who was under the age of 14 when he was killed. The jury recommended the death sentence, and…

United States v. Mathis via www.justia.com Court: U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Docket: 13-13109 Opinion Date: September 24, 2014 Judge: Per curiam Areas of Law: Criminal Law Defendant appealed his convictions and sentences for several child exploitation offenses. Defendant raised eight claims of error concerning the denial of his motion to suppress, introduction of a…

Reed v. Secretary, FL DOC, et al. via www.justia.com Court: U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Docket: 13-10900 Opinion Date: September 24, 2014 Judge: Marcus Areas of Law: Criminal Law Petitioner was convicted of vehicular homicide of two pedestrians. The district court granted habeas relief on petitioner’s claim that defense counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing…

Winthrop-Redin v. United States via www.justia.com Court: U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Docket: 13-10107 Opinion Date: September 23, 2014 Judge: Marcus Areas of Law: Criminal Law Petitioner pleaded guilty for charges related to his role as a boat crew member in an international drug-smuggling operation. Petitioner subsequently sought postconviction relief under 28 U.S.C. 2255, claiming…

Dixon v. U.S. Attorney General via www.justia.com Docket: 13-11492 Opinion Date: October 1, 2014 Judge: Wilson Areas of Law: Criminal Law, Immigration Law Petitioner sought review of the BIA’s dismissal of his appeal from the IJ’s order of removal under 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)(A)(iii). Petitioner argued that his Florida state conviction for aggravated fleeing was not an…

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