Relationships

Child Custody Domestic Violence Lifestyle Parenting Relationships

If you are considering divorce, you have options for splitting up. There are methods for getting divorced that do not involve a lot of court appearances, if you and your spouse agree on a different setting. You could use the…

Your Spouse Left the State with Your Kids – What’s Next?

When a marriage is breaking up, it’s not unusual that one spouse leaves the state with the kids. Sometimes the move is agreed upon by the other spouse, and sometimes it is not. If your spouse unexpectedly took the children…

Denied Visitation? Exercising Your Parental Rights

Lifestyle Relationships Wealth

If you have been denied visitation, you will need to take steps toward exercising your parental rights. Some parents decide that informal custody arrangements will work for them. But one parent may later decide to deny the other parent visitation…

Do You Need a Prenup Lawyer to Sign an Agreement?

If you want a prenup, you need to consult with a lawyer before you sign the agreement. Signing a prenuptial agreement could affect your life and assets many years in the future. Do not sign a form that your fiancé…

Uncontested Divorce: What You Can Expect

If you and your spouse plan to get an uncontested divorce, you should know what to expect. Not all divorces involve bitter custody battles or fights over dividing property. Sometimes couples decide to divorce amicably because their marriages have not…

Why Should You Make Your Divorce Final After Separation?

If you and your spouse have ended your marriage, it is a good idea to make your divorce final after separation. Some couples may remain separated without getting a court order finalizing the divorce. However, there are several good reasons…

3 Good Reasons to Sign a Prenuptial Agreement

A couple who wants to protect themselves and their assets may decide to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage. There are many good reasons to make use of a prenuptial agreement (also called a “prenup”). For example, you can protect…

Grandparents’ Rights in North Carolina

Grandparents have important rights regarding child custody in North Carolina. While the law recognizes parents’ fundamental and long-standing right to have custody of their children, grandparents can have custody or visitation rights in certain situations. Typically, child custody decisions favor…

Can My Spouse and I Use the Same Divorce Lawyer?

When getting a divorce, some couples want to use the same divorce lawyer. In North Carolina, lawyers cannot ethically represent both spouses. Why Can’t a Divorce Lawyer Represent Both Spouses? Using the same lawyer during your divorce may seem like…

Divorce Attorney Explains Why the Separation Date Matters

Domestic Violence Lifestyle Relationships Separation & Divorce

A divorce attorney is often asked why the separation date from your spouse is important in North Carolina. The legal requirement of a year’s separation means that the court will need to know your separation date. If you reconcile, the…

What Is a Divorce From Bed and Board in North Carolina?

A divorce from bed and board is a separation option available in North Carolina in situations involving abuse, adultery, or mistreatment. It’s not a divorce in the true sense of the word – it’s a legal, court-ordered separation during which…

Who Pays for Child Care After the Divorce?

Child Support Lifestyle Parenting Relationships

If you are thinking about divorce, you may wonder who pays for child care once you separate. Your children may need extra child care because you and your ex are living separately. Someone must pay for the care and costs…

Visitation Rights and Electronic Communications

If you are dealing with a child custody case, you should know about how visitation rights work using electronic communications. Keeping connected with your child is even more important when someone else has custody of them for part or all…

North Carolina Visitation Rights Explained

When you are involved in a child custody case, you need to understand your or your co-parent’s potential visitation rights. If you or your co-parent is granted visitation, it will be important to follow the visitation rules and respect your…

What Happens If Your Spouse Doesn’t Pay Alimony?

After you have been awarded alimony, you unfortunately could find that your ex-spouse does not pay it. This could cause you stress or financial problems post-divorce. If your ex-spouse has not made an alimony payment, you should speak with a…

Can You Oppose a Divorce?

If your spouse wants a divorce, but you do not, you may wonder if it is possible to oppose the divorce proceeding. Sometimes, one spouse is ready to move on from the marriage sooner than the other spouse. To understand…

Can You Date Other People During a Divorce?

Lifestyle Relationships Separation & Divorce Wealth

When you’re in the middle of a divorce, you may have the urge to start dating other people. Due to the divorce, moving on with your life could be a priority for you. Although dating again may sound good, there…

Divorce When Most of Your Property Is in Your Spouse’s Name

If you’re getting divorced but most of your property is in your spouse’s name, you may be concerned that you’ll walk away with nothing. In addition to the emotions you may feel about the divorce, you have to worry about…

What Does a Family Lawyer Do?

Child Custody Child Support Relationships Separation & Divorce

You may have heard the term “family lawyer” and wondered what it means. It can be confusing to figure out which kinds of cases a lawyer can handle for you. If you are getting a divorce, seeking custody of children,…

Marital Misconduct in North Carolina

Separation & Divorce Domestic Violence Relationships

Sometimes spouses step outside the agreed-upon boundaries of their marriage, causing conflict and even the need to divorce. During a North Carolina divorce case, one or both spouses may provide evidence of marital misconduct by the other spouse. Marital misconduct…

Could a Prior Divorce Affect Your Second Marriage?

Separation & Divorce Lifestyle Relationships Wealth

If you are getting married for a second time, you may wonder if your prior divorce will affect your second marriage. There are a few ways that a prior divorce could matter, such as in managing your child support and…

Will Your Spouse Have to Pay You Alimony?

Updated: January 25, 2023 When going through a separation and divorce, many people worry about financial support. Money may become a lot tighter without the additional income that your spouse provided. Fortunately, North Carolina law allows some divorcing spouses to…

What Is the Difference Between Alimony and Post-Separation Support?

Separation & Divorce Lifestyle Relationships Wealth

If you are involved in a separation or divorce, you may have questions about receiving post-separation support or alimony. While these two forms of spousal support share some similarities, you’ll want to understand the differences between them too. What Is…

Annulment of Marriage in North Carolina

Child Custody Child Support Domestic Violence Parenting Relationships

If you need to end your marriage, you may wonder if annulment is an option in North Carolina. Annulment is a legal process that voids the marriage. It is available only under specific circumstances. What Is Annulment? Annulment is a…

What to Do If Your Spouse Won’t Follow a Child Custody Agreement

If your spouse won’t follow your child custody agreement, you may need legal help to enforce it. Dealing with joint custody can be time-consuming and difficult on its own – let alone if your spouse ignores your agreement. How Do…

Your Spouse Had an Affair – What’s Next?

Child Custody Child Support Parenting Relationships

Learning that your spouse had an affair can be devastating. You may wonder about you and your children’s future. You may feel completely lost about your next steps. It’s important to consider all your options when in this difficult and…

Collaborative Divorce in North Carolina

Unlike divorce handled in the courtroom, the collaborative divorce process focuses on amicable resolution outside a courtroom. It is a client-centered approach far from the usual depictions of divorce that you see in the media. If you are interested in…

Mediation as an Alternative to Family Court

Alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation can help resolve issues that a family court judge would otherwise handle. Mediation focuses on promoting communication between spouses, rather than adversarial battles. Parties to a mediation may find that they can overcome their…

Arbitration as an Alternative to Family Court

Relationships Lifestyle Separation & Divorce

Alternative dispute resolution methods like arbitration can help resolve issues that a family court judge would otherwise handle. Spouses or ex-spouses can agree to use the arbitration process instead of having to appear in court. For many, more informal dispute…

Postnuptial Agreements: What You Need to Know

If you are married and want to ensure that you and your children are financially protected in the future, then you may want to sign a postnuptial agreement. Postnuptial agreements provide peace of mind should you ever separate or divorce.…

Prenuptial Agreements: What You Need to Know

Relationships Lifestyle Separation & Divorce

You might have heard of prenuptial agreements in the context of celebrity marriages or divorces, so you may be surprised to learn that it is becoming common for couples of all income levels to sign “prenups”. These premarital contracts can…

Reconciliation After Separation in North Carolina

After you and your spouse officially separate, at some point you may reconcile instead of seeking a divorce. Reconciliation doesn’t just mean making up and apologizing. It has a legal definition in North Carolina that affects your timeline if you…

Handling a Contentious Divorce in North Carolina