Separation &#038; Divorce

A trained collaborative divorce attorney can help you determine if this type of divorce is an option for you. Collaborative divorce involves negotiation and discussion of the many issues involved in a divorce. Your lawyer will be an integral part…

Working with a Collaborative Divorce Attorney

Domestic Violence Separation & Divorce

When you decide to end your marriage, you may want to work with a collaborative divorce attorney. Divorce does not have to be difficult, lengthy, or antagonistic. Many people look into the collaborative divorce process to see if it’s an…

3 Reasons to Get a Domestic Violence Attorney for Your Divorce

If you are in an abusive relationship and need a divorce, you should find a domestic violence attorney to help you. Divorce lawyers who have experience with domestic violence matters, like our firm, can take the necessary steps to protect…

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…

Military Families and Divorce in North Carolina

For military families in North Carolina, divorce raises a few important issues. Divorce for members of the armed forces may involve both state and federal law. In addition, military families may be dealing with active deployment and child custody issues…

Parent and Child Name Changes During a Divorce

If you are involved in a divorce, you may wonder about parent and child name changes due to the end of the marriage. Many American couples follow the tradition of the wife taking the husband’s last name when they marry.…

My Spouse Won’t Sign a Separation Agreement. What’s Next?

If your spouse won’t agree to sign a separation agreement, you may wonder what’s next for your divorce case. You might have thought a separation agreement would help smooth out issues during the separation period and in divorce court; but,…

Divorce & Common Financial Mistakes

Lifestyle Separation & Divorce Wealth

When you go through a divorce, make sure you are aware of common financial mistakes that some people make. Divorce can be a financially taxing process as well as an emotional drain. Many people are not aware how much a…

Protecting Inherited Assets in a Divorce: What You Need to Know

If you are getting a divorce, protecting inherited assets from division and distribution to your spouse may be a major concern. When you inherit money or property from your family, you may not want your ex to receive any part…

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

Child Custody Parenting Separation & Divorce

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…

North Carolina Custody Laws for Unmarried Parents

If you have become a parent and are unmarried, you may feel as if asserting your parental rights is difficult. In North Carolina, unmarried parents have important rights to custody and visitation. It is vital to understand your rights, because…

Making Changes to a Separation Agreement

You may have signed a separation agreement intending it to be the final expression of your and your spouse’s wishes on separation. As with many things in life, your needs or circumstances can change as time goes on. In North…

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…

Will I Get to Keep My House and Car After My Divorce?

Lifestyle Separation & Divorce

One major worry that couples face when they divorce is property division. Who gets the house, who gets the car, and how will you divide up everything else? Even couples who expect straightforward, quick divorces may find property division surprisingly…

Who Can Win Custody of a Child?

Child Custody Parenting Separation & Divorce

In North Carolina, either parent could win custody of a child. Making a decision about who has custody is complicated and involves many factors. If you have questions about who can have custody, there is a lot to learn. Factors…

What Happens If Your Spouse Doesn’t Pay Child Support?

Child Support Separation & Divorce

If your spouse doesn’t pay you child support, you may find yourself in a difficult situation. Dealing with an ex-spouse or ex-partner who is not helping pay for your children’s needs can be emotionally and financially draining. Fortunately, there is…

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,…

Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer?

Separation & Divorce Domestic Violence Relationships

When you are going through a tough time in your marriage, you might wonder if you need a divorce lawyer. But you may not be sure how a divorce lawyer could help you, or even what divorce lawyers do. What…

Marital Misconduct in North Carolina

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?

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 receive alimony payments. What…

What If You Do Not Agree to Get Divorced?

Separation & Divorce Lifestyle Wealth

If you just received divorce papers but did not agree to get divorced, you may have questions about what to do. You might be wondering if your spouse can divorce you without your agreement. You may want to know your…

Divisible Property in North Carolina

Dividing property during the divorce process can become very complicated and sometimes, contentious. There are different kinds of property that the court must divide between the spouses, including marital property, separate property, and divisible property. If you’re not familiar with…

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

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…

When Will Your Divorce Become Final?

When you are involved in a divorce, you likely want and need closure. You want to move forward and close this chapter in your life, but it could be a little confusing to figure out when your divorce will become…

Paying the Bills During Your Separation Period

Separation & Divorce Lifestyle Wealth

If you are considering divorce in North Carolina, you may wonder how paying the bills works during the separation period. The easiest way to ensure that the bills get paid in a fair way is to sign a separation agreement…

How Divorce Could Affect Your Business

If you own a business, getting a divorce could have a big impact on it. It’s important to understand the basics of how divorce could affect the business and how to protect yourself. The most important issue is whether you…

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…

What Is a North Carolina QDRO?

Child Support Child Custody Separation & Divorce

If your spouse has money in a retirement fund or pension plan, you may need a QDRO during your divorce. QDRO stands for “qualified domestic relations order”. It is a special kind of court order that grants a former spouse…

What Happens When a Child of Divorced Parents Turns 18?

When a child of divorced parents turns age eighteen, child support requirements may change. In most situations, parents do not have to continue paying child support. Custody arrangements will end too. If you have an older child and are considering…

Navigating Divorce Across State Lines

If you or your spouse do not live in North Carolina, you might worry about getting a divorce here. Fortunately, North Carolina divorce law does not require that both spouses live in the state in order to file for divorce.…

Handling a Contentious Divorce in North Carolina

Unfortunately, some couples have extremely contentious divorces after they decide to end their marriage. If your marriage was mostly happy, it can be surprising and challenging to handle a messy divorce. If your marriage was not happy, then a difficult…

What Is No-Fault Divorce in North Carolina?

If you are considering a divorce in North Carolina, learn more about how divorce works to protect your rights. North Carolina is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means the divorce process can be straightforward for many couples. But no-fault divorce…

What to Do If COVID-19 Restrictions Have Made You Consider Divorce

If the COVID-19 pandemic has made you consider divorce, you are not alone. With the many restrictions that governments and employers have mandated during the pandemic, you may have been spending more time than usual with your spouse. Stories of…

Divorces on the Rise During COVID-19

We are now over half a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, which has tested many relationships. With family members in an unsolicited, prolonged situation of physical proximity with each other, family lawyers are getting more questions about getting divorced. COVID-19…

Equitable Distribution: Protecting Your Property

Equitable distribution is the way that North Carolina courts divide property when a couple divorces. If you find yourself at the end of your marriage, understanding how equitable distribution works is equivalent to understanding your critical property rights. When a…

Separation Agreements: What if I Change My Mind?

Separation agreements are written agreements that many married couples make when they separate intending to end their marriage. While reaching an agreement is purely optional and voluntary, they are common because of their usefulness. They address critical issues of money,…

Equitable Distribution: Does My Spouse Have Hidden Property?

Separation & Divorce Domestic Violence

Marriages sometimes break down because trust between the couple has been irreparably broken. Both during marriage and divorce proceedings, spouses can amplify this problem with financial impropriety. This includes financial misconduct by a spouse aimed at depriving the other spouse…

North Carolina Divorce: Temporary Orders

The decision to end a marriage is a hard and emotional one. Predictably, people who are experiencing a separation and divorce may not be at their best—to that degree, courts sometimes have to get involved. When family law issues arise…

How Separations Work in North Carolina

North Carolina is an absolute divorce state. This is a “no-fault” divorce that does not look at why the marriage is ending. Rather, a court may grant a divorce decree if it finds that a couple has been separated for…

How Separate Property Works

Separation & Divorce Child Custody Domestic Violence

When a marriage ends, property division is an enormous issue that a couple must address to protect their rights and secure their financial future. Classifying and appraising property is no small task and the law can be complex. No matter…

Safely Accessing North Carolina’s Courts

Despite our country experiencing a historic health crisis, many of us have legal issues that need to be addressed and resolved. However,some people are delaying moving forward with these important decisions. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a great deal of…

Reaching a Separation Agreement

Separation & Divorce Child Custody Domestic Violence

North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state, in which a court does not consider misconduct or the reasons for the end of a marriage when granting a divorce. Instead, courts can only look at whether a couple has been separated…

COVID-19 Update

As businesses across North Carolina prepare to open under new guidelines and structure, the North Carolina Court System is doing the same. Below is a summary of what to expect for domestic court, but the full directive can be found…

How Does Unemployment Affect Child Support and Alimony?

Child Support Separation & Divorce

The COVID 19 pandemic and resulting stay-at-home orders have effectively shut down businesses and created a historic level of unemployment. In North Carolina, nearly 1 million people have filed for unemployment between March 15th and the end of April. The…

North Carolina Divorce: Preparing for Separation

One of the unfortunate side effects of the COVID 19 crisis is that for some couples, the constant proximity has solidified that their marriages should end. This is also not an ideal time to separate or divorce, with stay-at-home orders,…

Equitable Distribution: Don’t Let Wealth Be Held Against You

High net worth divorces are often highly contested, because there is so much at stake. Beyond the value of the property, the division of wealth can impact the future of a family-owned business and its employees. It can also impact…

Does a Divorce Mean I Have to Testify?

A fear of courtrooms is an unfortunate hurdle that prevents people from seeking legal advice when they need help. Divorce is no exception to this, as many of us have witnessed hours of confrontation through the OJ Simpson trial, Judge…

North Carolina’s Alimony Laws

Child Custody Child Support Separation & Divorce

Alimony, or spousal support, is usually awarded as payments made following a separation or divorce from a “supporting spouse” to a “dependent spouse” for a fixed duration of time. As you can imagine, this is a great source of controversy…

Important Update Regarding COVID-19

N.C. Supreme Court April 2nd Order includes updated COVID-19 directives that may affect your court case. Please review a quick note from New Direction Family Law regarding these changes. We hope that you and your family are safe and faring…

Equitable Distribution: High Net Worth Divorces

Child Support Separation & Divorce

When couples have wealth, there is a high likelihood that they own a range of different assets. This may include business interests, offshore investments, trusts, real estate, stocks, retirement accounts, educational savings accounts, luxury vehicles, and artwork. Couples with wealth…

High-Income Child Support in North Carolina

How Child Support is Generally Determined North Carolina laws require that both parents financially support their children. When it comes to child support payments, a noncustodial parent is generally responsible for making payments to the custodial parent—who is assumed to…

How Equitable Distribution Agreements Work

North Carolina divides property under an equitable distribution model. This method essentially takes the net market value of all property and debt attained between a couple’s date of marriage and date of separation and allows a court to make a…

When to Speak with a Divorce Lawyer

The road to divorce is paved with intense emotions, uncertainty, and hard choices. While you know that you should end your marriage, the potential for disruption and change is a lot to wrap your head around. Because it all seems…

Separation for a Year: Prerequisite for a Divorce

North Carolina offers divorcing couples an opportunity to a “no-fault” divorce. This is called an absolute divorce, which requires courts to grant divorces without asking why the marriage is ending. Instead, family courts only look to the date the couple…

Self-Care and Divorce: Your Mental and Physical Health

One of the reasons that people take their time when deciding to divorce is because of how much work it takes to undergo such a dramatic change in your life. If you have recently separated from your spouse, you are…

Spying, Harassment, and Divorce

Separations are hardly ever clean. However, when a marital relationship has issues of control or domestic violence, a separation can dramatically escalating these issues. New Direction Family Law has helped domestic violence survivors for years, and sadly, we have had…

Divorce and Dividing Retirement Plans

Health Separation & Divorce

For many, a person’s retirement accounts—as well as their house—constitute the lion’s share of their wealth. It is the sum of their hard work and thoughtfulness, their plan for the future, their “nest egg”. It is also their financial security.…

A Healthy New Year Following a Separation

The end of a marriage is a challenging and uncertain phase of a person’s life. For people experiencing separation and divorce, the holiday season from Thanksgiving through the end of the year may intensify the many different emotions that divorce…

When a Spouse Does Not Want to Divorce

The decision to end a marriage is not always mutual. This should not come as a surprise—the relational dynamics and events that lead to a break up are not always clean, peaceful, or smooth. However, the fact that one spouse…

Modifying or Terminating an Alimony Order

Alimony, or spousal support, is a subject that douses lighter fluid on the already lit flame that burns when a marriage ends. To put it mildly, obtaining an agreement or order that requires the continued payment of money can stoke…

Establishing Healthy Boundaries During a Separation

Divorce is a painful time for couples, as a final decision is made to end a relationship that was supposed to last the rest of their lifetimes. But it is hard to make a clean break, as there are healthy…

How Marital Misconduct Factors into a Divorce

North Carolina offers no-fault divorces, referred to as “absolute” divorces. To grant a divorce order, a court can solely consider whether a couple has been separated for an uninterrupted year and cannot consider why the marriage is ending. As a…

Steps to Prepare for Your Divorce

The prospect of ending a marriage is rife with feelings of uncertainty, fear, and discomfort. It is a major life shift and undeniable trauma. However, there are ways to feel more comfortable and confident leading into the divorce process. Some…

Your Equitable Distribution Inventory

Child Custody Separation & Divorce

If you and your spouse intend to divorce, it is essential to take a smart, thoughtful approach to divide your property. You have significant legal rights that were created when you got married, which will have a long-term effect on…

Addiction, Divorce, and Child Custody

Addiction to drugs or alcohol are serious, lifelong struggles that can consume a person’s entire being unless they can find a path to recovery. Unfortunately, addicts do not struggle in a vacuum and it is their families and children who…

Alimony and a New Partner

Child Custody Child Support Separation & Divorce

Alimony payments are intended to financially support dependent spouses after a marriage has ended. These payments recognize the duration of a couple’s marriage, their marital standard of living, the disparity in wealth and opportunity between the spouses, and the numerous…

Modifying Court Orders When Your Circumstances Change

When a marriage ends, couples typically obtain court orders that resolve issues like property division, alimony payments, child custody arrangements, and child support obligations. These orders serve as a snapshot of that moment in time. The orders should reflect the…

Seeking a Prompt Resolution to Your Divorce

When a marriage ends, there is a lot that a couple has to pack up both literally and figuratively. Couples must resolve questions about arranging child custody schedules, selling or refinancing the marital residence, dividing marital property when spousal support…

Five Things to Know About Equitable Distribution in North Carolina

When a marriage ends, couples must sort through numerous complex issues before they can move forward with their lives. One big issue is determining how property will be divided between the former spouses. In North Carolina, this is accomplished through…

The Advantages of Filing for Divorce in North Carolina

Separation & Divorce Domestic Violence

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to getting divorced. There is the emotional toll, the uncertainty looking forward, the timing, the impact on children, how property will be split, and the costs of getting divorced.…

How Domestic Violence Can Impact Your Divorce

Domestic violence is a dangerous and toxic element to any relationship. When it comes to marriage, unaddressed domestic violence issues don’t have happy endings. While death, injury, protective orders, and imprisonment are the most palpable outcomes; there are several legal…

Is There a Right Way to Grieve a Divorce?

Health Separation & Divorce

The end of a marriage is a traumatic event for even the most toughened people. Regardless of the reasons that led a couple to this point, divorce is a sad event and it is completely natural for any spouse to…

Five Facts About Alimony

When couples divorce, one of the issues that often generates the most contention is alimony. For a spouse seeking spousal support, these payments are seen as essential, as he or she does not make sufficient income to meet his or…

Dividing Luxury Goods When You Divorce

You have probably seen some recent headlines about the massive divorce settlement of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Bezos after they split due to allegations of his infidelity. Beyond the sad end of a long marriage and the sordid…

Avoiding Money Mistakes after Separation

Separation is an incredibly stressful time in a person’s life. Even the most Zen and disciplined of people can make regrettable decisions during this time. This is especially true when it comes to money and budgeting in the midst of…

Understanding Debt and Equitable Distribution

Domestic Violence Separation & Divorce

When you think of the concept of property division when couples divorce, it is easy to think that it literally refers to the division of property. As in, who takes what property with them when the dust settles? However, property…

When is Police Intervention Appropriate for a Family Law Dispute?

When you are having a really difficult time with your spouse during the midst of a separation, you may find yourself in situations where you feel scared or powerless. Some people contact relatives and friends for support, while others call…

Do Alimony Payments Ever End?

Health Separation & Divorce

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is a mandatory payment that a dependent spouse receives from a supporting spouse when a couple separates. It can be a significant obligation for many supporting spouses, and they have a natural financial interest…

Finding a Mental Health Provider

Coping with the stress, anxiety, loss, sadness, and anger that come with the end of a marriage is a lot for anyone to handle. No matter how strong you are, or how you have faced prior adversity, there is no…

Home For Sale Sign in Front of New House

Selling a Home During a Separation