Meet Candi Peeples, One of BHAM’s Top Family Law Attorneys
Candi Peeples' dedication to helping real people navigate some of life's most challenging experiences has made her a celebrated family law attorney in the Magic City. Meet this month's FACE of Birmingham!
With a deep commitment to helping her clients find new beginnings amid family challenges, Candi Peeples has garnered a reputation for being a top family law attorney in Birmingham and beyond. Since 2007, she has operated Peeples Law, a private, boutique-style law firm in Highland Park that focuses on matrimonial and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) law. In addition to helping her clients navigate the various aspects of family law, she teaches continuing legal education courses throughout the country. Get to know this month’s FACE of Birmingham, Candi Peeples!
Tell us about you!
I’m not originally from Birmingham, although I’ve lived here most of my life. I grew up in South Georgia and attended undergrad at the University of Georgia. After graduating in 1997, I moved to Birmingham, where I attended the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
I met my husband, Lloyd, at Cumberland and we married in 2002. He is an Assistant U.S. Attorney (Federal Prosecutor), and we have two amazing children. My son, Chandler, is a freshman at The University of Alabama this year, and my daughter, Lily, is a sophomore at Vestavia Hills High School.
How did you find your way to family law?
I tell people that “family law” actually found me. I recall knowing that I wanted to do some kind of law involving litigation or trial work, as I most enjoyed those types of practical classes in law school. At the same time, I didn’t know exactly what kind of litigation I wanted to do.
During my third year, I was encouraged to apply for a clerkship with The Crittenden Firm, where I was hired by my mentor and friend, Judy Crittenden. I never thought I wanted to do family law, but after meeting and working with Judy, I realized I had found my niche. These cases allowed me to do the trial/litigation work I enjoyed, but I also found I was most fulfilled when I was representing real people and had clients for whom I could make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families.
If someone is contemplating divorce, where do you suggest they start?
Without hesitation, I would say having a no-obligation consultation with a highly qualified and experienced family law attorney is the absolute best place to start. People often tell me they aren’t sure they even want a divorce but just want to understand the process. It’s a great way to understand how the divorce process works and how the facts of your particular case might fit into that overall framework. Some essential considerations can be evaluated during that consultation.
During these consultations, I often give clients “to-do lists” to work on while they contemplate whether or not to proceed. One of my favorite sayings is, “Knowledge is powerful.” Helping parties understand what a divorce might look like for child custody, financial support, and division of assets is critical to help them evaluate whether or not to proceed.
What is your best advice for couples navigating a divorce?
Know your priorities, and don’t sweat the small stuff. The process of divorce is very emotionally taxing. I encourage my clients to prioritize their goals so we can keep them in mind during the process. Sometimes, we have to sacrifice some of our lower-priority goals to achieve successful outcomes on our more high-priority issues.
It’s critical to help clients understand that getting divorced is all about “managing your loss.” Divorce always involves compromise … We can’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s my job to help clients realize the “stuff” so we can do our best to achieve their high-priority goals.
Tell us about your work in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) law. Has it been impacted by Alabama’s recent legal challenges to IVF?
I love this part of my practice. About 10 years ago, I started working with parents who are trying to build a family through the use of ART law. We work with intended parents as well as gestational carriers (surrogates) to facilitate the legal process of their family-building journey. This most often involves intended parents who cannot carry their own child for some reason and gestational carriers who are willing to carry a child through IFV that they are not biologically related to for the intended parents.
Most often, these parties are matched through highly talented surrogacy agencies, but others are independent journeys that match through private channels. We assist the parties in creating a legally binding contract to begin the journey and obtaining court orders before birth so that when the child is born, the names of the intended parents are placed on the child’s birth certificate. It’s truly a joy to represent these families, and I love to talk about the work we do here.
The recent legal changes related to IVF in Alabama have definitely been concerning for some of our clients. Thankfully, we have some processes in place that have allowed us to successfully continue to navigate these cases with no problems.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Spending time with my family is my biggest joy. My husband and I spend all our free time with our family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
Professionally, what inspires me is being able to help people navigate one of the most difficult times of their lives with grace. My goal is to help people understand that divorce doesn’t always have to be an end; it can also be a beautiful new beginning.
Personally, I’m inspired by my children. Having teen/young adult children gives you a life perspective that’s hard to describe. Seeing them face challenges, work hard, and achieve their goals is so inspiring as a parent. I’m always proud to see my kids working hard to be the best version of themselves.
What is your best advice?
I often share with my kids something my parents always made me believe: “If your dreams don’t scare you, then they aren’t big enough.” It’s always okay to have big goals and big dreams; it’s also okay for these things to scare you. The most important thing is to keep pushing yourself toward your goals. Never let the fear of not reaching your goals prevent you from trying your best to reach them.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, name three things you can’t live without.
Disney. I’m a huge Disney nerd. I worked there two summers in college and just love everything about it. I visit whenever I get the chance and love to read and learn about the company’s history.
University of Georgia Football. Having attended college in the ’90s when the Bulldogs weren’t quite as successful, I’m definitely living a dream these days. Go Dawgs!
Lily Pulitzer. If you know, you know … I’ve been a Lily girl for a very long time, and it’s probably my “go-to” style. I’m pretty conservative and Southern traditional in my dress.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Last delicious local meal: Chuck’s Fish (Surf and turf sushi roll and that white chocolate bread pudding … It’s to die for).
Your go-to gift to give: Downtown Homewood is a treasure trove. I can always find something amazing at so many of those cute little shops. It’s definitely my go-to for gift shopping.
Favorite recent TV show binge: Suits … Yes, I know it’s old, but I just finished it. I was so sad when it ended!
Book(s) on your bedside table: Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia. My husband and I have been listening to it together, and it’s been pretty eye-opening.
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Birmingham women are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.