Can I Keep My House in a Divorce?
Oct 19
The answer to this question is not so straightforward. The true answer is, it depends. Let’s first start by discussing what happens to property in a ...
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How Long Do I Have to Pay Alimony?
Oct 17
Alimony is the payment of money by the supporting spouse to the dependent spouse after the separation of the parties. The purpose of alimony is to ...
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Can I Modify My Child Custody Order?
Oct 16
Once child custody has been determined, either through a Consent Order or an order given by a Judge, the child custody schedule may be modifiable. ...
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Can I Modify my Child Support Order?
Oct 13
Either parent may request a modification of child support from the Court. Similar to modification of child custody, modification of child support ...
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What is a Contested Divorce?
Oct 11
Getting a divorce can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Contested divorces create an entire new array of emotions. A divorce is the legal ...
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Does my Child Get to Choose Where He or She Lives?
Oct 10
Simply put, no. A minor child does not get to decide that they want to live with one parent over the other. Children’s opinions are one factor that is ...
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What is a Free Trader Agreement?
Oct 09
A Free Trader Agreement can either be a stand-alone contract or it can be a provision in a Separation Agreement when two parties are getting divorced. ...
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How Does Adultery Impact My Divorce?
Oct 06
If you or your spouse committed adultery during your marriage, and you are now in the process of getting a divorce, you might be wondering what impact ...
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What is Marital Misconduct?
Oct 04
The law of North Carolina defines marital misconduct as follows: “Marital misconduct means any of the following acts that occur during the marriage ...
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Can I Relocate with my Child after a Divorce?
Oct 03
Following a divorce, one party may wish to relocate to a new city, state, or country. It is important to note, however, that before you make ...
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When Does Child Support End?
Oct 02
Child support is money paid by a parent for the purpose of meeting the reasonable needs of the parties’ minor child(ren) for the minor child(ren)’s ...
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How to Have a Healthy Divorce: 5 Tips
Sep 22
More than 22% of first marriages end in divorce within five years, and 53% of marriages dissolve by the 20-year mark, according to 2011-2015 data from ...
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The New Crime of Domestic Violence In North Carolina
Aug 01
One of the most common questions that comes up in the North Carolina Justice System is what is the crime of Domestic Violence. Until recently, the ...
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Domestic Violence and Multi-Practice Firms in North Carolina
Aug 01
One of the most challenging times in any person’s life is when a relationship is coming to an end, especially if that relationship is a marriage with ...
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Can Divorce Cause Childhood Trauma?
Jul 30
It is widely known that divorce can be a challenging and emotionally charged experience for both partners involved. However, children also feel the ...
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6 Mistakes to Avoid in a High-Asset Divorce
Jul 24
Going through a divorce is already a challenging process, and the stakes are even higher when you’re going through a high-asset divorce. If you're ...
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Can I Keep Gifts in My Divorce?
Jun 30
Divorce can be a stressful and emotional endeavor, especially when it comes to deciding how to divide your shared property. Even when a divorce is ...
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Domestic Assaults in North Carolina
Apr 28
Assault crimes in North Carolina are some of the most serious crimes a person can be convicted of. With an active sentence in jail an option for ...
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7 Tips for Co-Parenting Over the Summer
Apr 21
Summertime can be a demanding time of year for many families. As the days get longer, so do the commitments. Planning who is going to take care of the ...
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How to Explain Divorce to Your Child
Apr 21
Divorce is an emotionally charged topic full of questions and feelings that can often be hard to put into words. This makes explaining the ...
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Child Abuse Charges in North Carolina
Apr 11
Intentionally disciplining a child can sometimes lead to unintentional consequences. The worst of these can often be charged for child abuse. Whether ...
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Domestice Violence in North Carolina
Feb 27
Domestic violence is taken really seriously in the criminal justice system in North Carolina. People often mistakenly believe they have been charged ...
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I Took Out Criminal Charges Against My Spouse and I Don’t Want To Press Charges, What Happens Next?
Feb 20
In North Carolina, a common scenario that prompts the prosecution of a domestic violence case is one where neither side wants to be involved or press ...
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How to Handle Social Media During Your Divorce
Jan 30
For many people going through the stress of a divorce, it can feel natural to reach out to friends and family for support, connection, and ...
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Father Faces Charges in Toddler’s Accidental Death
Nov 08
The death of a 2-year-old boy in an accidental shooting has led to his father being charged with misdemeanor failure to properly and safely store his ...
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How Interest Rates Affect Your Estate Plan
Oct 05
Along with inflation, interest rates have been rising this year. This trend has already impacted business and personal finances in North Carolina, but ...
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Who Pays Child Support if the Parent Is a Minor in NC?
Aug 23
Parents often bear many of the responsibilities of a baby born to a minor daughter. The parents of a minor father are not off the hook. They may be ...
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Uncontested Divorces Aren’t Necessarily Uncomplicated
Jul 14
Many divorces aren’t volatile spectacles filled with name-calling. Some spouses simply know their marriage is no longer working and wish to go their ...
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Best Interests Doctrine Used in NC Custody Decisions
Jul 13
Reaching a child custody agreement can be challenging when parents have significantly different ideas about what the agreement should entail. The most ...
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Registering Out-Of-State Orders Makes Them Enforceable in NC
May 17
Moving is not uncommon in the U.S. According to Shyft, the average American moves close to 12 times during their life with about 10% of U.S. residents ...
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Should I Force My Child to Visit Their Non-Custodial Parent?
Nov 15
Parental custody and visitation are among the most difficult aspects of divorce. Both parents want what is best for their children, but the adults can ...
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What Divorced Parents Should Know About Child Tax Credits
Aug 12
Millions of families began receiving in July advance payments of the Child Tax Credit (CTC), as made possible by the American Rescue Plan. According ...
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Protecting Your Child from an Abusive Stepparent
Jun 08
Wicked stepparents are common in literature. Cinderella was abused by her stepmother and stepsisters. Snow White was ordered to be killed by her ...
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Child Custody Issues May Be Contributing to Decline in Migration
Sep 10
People from North Carolina and across the U.S. used to move around the country a lot more than they do today. According to studies, inter-state ...
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Studies On Co-Habitation And Having Children Before Marriage
Aug 24
North Carolina parents may be interested to know that couples who have a child together before they get married have no higher risk of divorce than ...
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Divorce Rates High In Older Population
Aug 10
North Carolina residents may have heard some reports that say divorce rates are down. While the official number of annual divorces has been dropping ...
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How a Simple Legal Loophole Could Cost One Divorcee Millions
Jul 22
Most people’s understanding of divorce is that they will be subject to certain laws that will dictate everything from how the couple separates to what ...
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A Calculator May Be a Best Friend in Dividing Marital Property
Jul 20
When people in North Carolina decide to end their marriage, most couples — with or without children — begin to focus on what property each party will ...
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Clicking the like Button May Lead to Divorce, Researchers Say
Jul 16
Most people, probably, view liking a picture of an old college roommate’s dog as a, mostly, innocent act without much consequence. A not-so-new study ...
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Friends and Family May Not Provide the Best Advice in a Divorce
Jun 15
Virtually every divorced North Carolina individual knows that the decision to end a marriage can be fraught with anxiety and uncertainty. Not knowing ...
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6 Common Ways Spouses May Hide Assets During Divorce
Jun 05
In many marriages, the “out-spouse” is often taken advantage of because he or she has little to no involvement in the family finances. When it comes ...
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What to Expect if You Divorce an Angry Spouse
May 20
At Jetton & Meredith, PLLC, we understand that going through a divorce can be intimidating, especially if you have a volatile ex-spouse in your life ...
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Custody and Visitation Do’s and Don’ts During COVID-19
Apr 15
We have all been affected by COVID-19 in so many ways, but right can a time of greater stress, especially for families with children, and perhaps even ...
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COVID-19 and North Carolina Courts
Mar 26
On March 13, 2020, North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley announced that due to the COVID-19 or coronavirus, North Carolina Courts ...
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Tips for Handling Child Custody and Visitation During COVID-19
Mar 17
On top of everything happening at the present date with COVID-19, individuals may be dealing with circumstances surrounding child custody or ...
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COVID-19 & North Carolina Divorce
Mar 11
When North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued a statewide stay in place order on March 27, 2020, directing all residents to remain in their homes and ...
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Interfering with Emergency Communications in North Carolina
Feb 20
Crimes of Domestic Violence are often some of the most serious charges a person can face. In North Carolina, crimes that have been marked as domestic ...
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No Contact Order in North Carolina
Jan 22
A no contact order—commonly known as a “50C order” in North Carolina—is a type of restraining order for sexual assault or stalking victims who do not ...
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Termination of Child Support
Nov 12
In North Carolina, parents have a duty to provide support for their children. However, when child support payments are ordered, the non-custodial ...
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Modifying Child Support in Separation Agreement
Nov 06
Children are often a primary concern for those going through a divorce. As a result, some couples look to enter into a separation agreement. A ...
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Marital Misconduct Impact on Alimony
Oct 29
In North Carolina, the law governing alimony in North Carolina General Statute § 50-16.3A. The alimony statute addresses marital misconduct as ...
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Alienation of Affection
Oct 18
North Carolina is one of the few remaining states that still recognizes a claim called ‘Alienation of Affection’. This claim allows a spouse to file a ...
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Common Law Marriage and Divorce
Oct 14
There are a handful of states that recognize the concept of common law marriage. Common law marriages are valid marriages without the performance of a ...
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Collaborative Law Proceedings
Oct 01
The divorce process can take an emotional toll on all parties involved. The thought of having to discuss one’s private grievances in open court can be ...
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Adultery is a Bar to Alimony
Sep 25
In North Carolina, alimony is awarded to the dependent spouse upon a finding that one spouse is a dependent spouse, one spouse is a supporting spouse, ...
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Active and Passive Appreciation on Separate Property
Aug 14
When North Carolina couples decide to get divorced, they are also making the decision to separate their resources. North Carolina General Statute ...
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Relocation and your Child
Aug 07
During the course of a child’s minority, it is not uncommon for one parent to be faced with an opportunity, or need, to relocate from North Carolina. ...
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Is Inheritance Subject to Equitable Distribution?
Jul 31
Equitable Distribution is the process by which the law in North Carolina instructs judges to distribute equitably upon divorce, all property, legally ...
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Active and Passive Appreciation on Marital Property
Jul 10
In North Carolina, the law which governs the dividing of assets and debts is North Carolina General Statute § 50-20. Your property can be classified ...
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The FAQ's of "Legal Separation"
Apr 09
As a family law attorney, I am often asked, “How do I start a “legal separation” from my husband or wife?” A common misconception in North Carolina is ...
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North Carolina Domestic Violence Protective Order Violation
Mar 22
One of the most common domestic violence crimes in a violation of a Domestic Violence Protective Order (“DVPO”), commonly referred to as a restraining ...
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What Is The Marital Gift Exemption And How Does It Work?
Apr 24
What is the Marital Gift Exception When Going Through a Divorce (For Purposes of Equitable Distribution)? Going through a divorce can be a difficult ...
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10 Things You Need to Know About Domestic Violence and the Law
Mar 20
Domestic violence is a crime. It’s a crime that not only impacts the victim, but can have a lasting effect on loved ones, family members, friends and ...
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Top 10 Ways Assets Get Divided In Divorce That May Surprise You
Mar 19
In the United States, forty to fifty percent of marriages will ultimately end in divorce. Sadly, once you have made the difficult decision to end the ...
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Unequal Distribution – 6 Ways Property Gets Divided Unequally In Divorce
Mar 18
Over the course of a marriage, a couple, both individually and together, acquires property. In legal terms, “property” essentially means anything of ...
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5 Surprising Facts About Domestic Violence In North Carolina
Feb 28
Domestic violence is a concept used to refer to “the violence exerted in the field of family coexistence or assimilated, by one of the members against ...
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Agreeing On What Child Support Will Cover
Dec 22
When North Carolina parents divorce, if their children are younger than 18, one parent might end up paying child support to the other. Usually, the ...
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Fathers' Rights In Child Custody Matters
Nov 19
Some divorced North Carolina fathers may find themselves struggling to maintain ongoing relationships with their children. They often face issues when ...
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Protection Of Assets In A Marriage
Oct 21
North Carolina residents who are considering getting married likely realize that a couple might want to know about each other’s finances in the event ...
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Alimony Is Decided by Many Factors
Oct 19
In North Carolina and other states, a couple may choose to divorce for any number of reasons. For example, they may want financial independence or the ...
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Custody Disputes And Parental Consistency
Oct 17
North Carolina residents who are considering divorce can benefit from remaining united when it comes to rules and boundaries for children. Parents who ...
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Important Financial Conversations For Couples
Oct 09
North Carolina couples may be more likely to get a divorce if they run into conflicts over money since this is the source of one of the most common ...
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Retirement Plans And North Carolina Divorces
Oct 07
There has been a substantial increase in the number of people over age 50 who are filing for divorce. While this brings a myriad of issues, among them ...
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The Usefulness Of A Solid Parenting Plan
Sep 29
North Carolina parents who are facing the end of their marriage may be suffering a great deal of emotional turmoil, but one way to reduce that is by ...
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Saving Finances By Making Divorce Easier
Sep 18
Married couples who decide to divorce are likely making the right decision for themselves, but going through the process can still be very challenging ...
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Financial Infidelity In Marriage Is A Common Issue
Aug 20
Arguing about money issues is one of the top reasons couples get divorced in North Carolina. Many spouses are hiding cash and spending habits from ...
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Tax Deductions For Children After A Divorce
Aug 10
It is common for child support to be ordered or agreed to when a North Carolina couple with young children decides to end their marriage. Although ...
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How A Business Is Handled During A Divorce
Jul 25
North Carolina residents who are going through the process of a divorce and who have a variety of assets, including a business, might be interested in ...
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How A Judge Might Divide A House In A Divorce
Jul 03
People in North Carolina who are getting a divorce may need to divide their home. This can be difficult because the house carries both financial worth ...
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Protecting Retirement In The Midst Of A Divorce
Jun 21
A setback in retirement planning can be a problem for North Carolina residents at any point in life, but as people approaches their retirement years, ...
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Preventing Dissipation Of Assets In A Divorce
Jun 17
North Carolina residents who are going through a contentious divorce should pay close attention to the marital assets. In an effort to avoid sharing ...
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Millennials in North Carolina Seeking Prenups
Jun 13
A nationwide survey of the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers has shown that, in the last few years, there has been a significant increase in ...
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Detecting Fraud During North Carolina Divorces
Jun 12
During a divorce, it is common to feel sad, angry or hurt by the other spouse. In some cases, these feelings may lead to suspicion of financial fraud. ...
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Co-Parenting After Divorce
Jun 05
Many North Carolina parents find it difficult to successfully co-parent their children following a divorce. In many cases, one parent may harbor ...
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Paying For A Child's Sport Activity As A Divorced Couple
May 28
For many single North Carolina parents, the cost of a child’s extracurricular activities can be an expense that may be difficult to cover. However, ...
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Social Security And Divorce In North Carolina
May 24
If certain criteria are met, individuals who were married to their former spouses for 10 years or longer may be entitled to additional Social Security ...
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Make Summer Easier With A Parenting Plan
May 17
As many North Carolina parents know, summertime can be hectic and filled with trips and events for their kids. For divorced parents, it can be an ...
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Avoiding Common Divorce Mistakes With A Simple Checklist
May 16
Individuals approaching or going through divorce in North Carolina may be able to avoid some common pitfalls by checking specific items off a list ...
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Buying A House Before Marriage May Not Always Be A Smart Move
May 15
Many couples in North Carolina decide to live together without getting married. While some of these couples choose to rent a house or apartment, ...
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Handling Parental Conflicts After Divorce
May 04
Some divorced parents in North Carolina may still feel strong emotions about their former spouses. According to one study, about half of divorced ...
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Changing Trends in Divorce Age
Apr 21
Most people in North Carolina get married with the idea that they will live happily ever after with their spouse. Data demonstrates that many people ...
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Money Issues Can Exist After A Divorce
Apr 15
Divorce can be a traumatic and stressful experience, but if it is the right thing for a North Carolina couple, it can often be a relief once the split ...
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Alternative Divorce Options
Apr 10
What Are Some Alternatives To Divorce? There are a few alternative options to divorce in North Carolina: uncontested divorce, collaborative divorce, ...
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Preparing For A Same-Sex Couple Contested Divorce
Apr 02
With same-sex marriage now legal in North Carolina and around the country, it is likely inevitable that some of these couples will see their ...
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Taxes During A Divorce Process
Mar 24
One of the questions that might arise during a separation and divorce process is whether the couple should file taxes jointly or separately. After a ...
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Dealing With Emotions After A Divorce
Mar 18
Dealing with divorce is not something that parents and children may be able to handle alone. That is why it is important for adults to take the lead ...
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Many States Now Encourage Shared Parenting
Mar 13
Family courts in North Carolina may be more likely to award joint custody to divorcing parents than they were in the past. Today, state governments ...
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Creating A Prenup That Is Fair To Both Spouses
Mar 12
Many North Carolina residents consider writing a prenuptial agreement before entering into a marriage. Typically, prenups are used to protect the ...
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Considering Social Security Amidst Divorce Proceedings
Mar 11
As a couple contemplates the possibility of divorce, finances can be one of the greatest concerns. Regardless of age, retirement benefits can be ...
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Preserving A Child’s College Savings In Divorce
Mar 08
North Carolina parents who are going through a divorce will need to divide their marital assets, and college funds for children may be included in ...
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Divorcing Parents Can Choose To Be Civil
Mar 07
Although negative feelings naturally surround the dissolution of most marriages, North Carolina parents calling it quits must consider how their ...
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Whether To Keep The Home May Be A Difficult Decision In Divorce
Mar 05
When North Carolina couples divorce, sometimes people will struggle with whether they should remain in the home or choose to move out and sell it. The ...
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Pros And Cons Of Getting A Divorce
Feb 28
Many North Carolina couples whose marriages are foundering are at a loss as to how to proceed. While there may be good reasons for getting a divorce, ...
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Property Division For People Divorcing After Long Marriages
Feb 24
Some older North Carolina couples choose to divorce. People who have been married for many years may have more complex tasks involved with dividing ...
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Prenuptial Agreements For Business Owners
Feb 23
While many divorces in North Carolina can be difficult, the challenges may be even greater for business owners who lack an adequate prenuptial ...
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Child Support Rights For Fathers
Feb 16
It is no longer uncommon for North Carolina fathers to be awarded primary physical custody of their children. In the past, mothers often took the role ...
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Understanding Divorce Settlements
Feb 16
For many North Carolina ex-spouses, moving forward after a divorce is necessary if the two former partners have children, a business or real estate. ...
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Preparation Is Crucial Before Divorce Proceedings
Feb 07
North Carolina couples whose marriages are foundering should be ready for the many financial challenges and tasks that come up during divorce ...
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Financial Matters Before Marriage
Feb 05
Various factors can lead to the demise of a North Carolina marriage, but financial infidelity can create problems that linger long after a marriage ...
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Dealing With A Mortgage During Divorce Proceedings
Feb 03
Many North Carolina couples who are going through a divorce are probably also faced with many financial challenges, especially if they have a ...
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Using A Financial Adviser And An Attorney When Divorcing
Feb 02
Dissolving a marriage can be expensive and sometimes hurt one’s credit, so it is important to review finances before a divorce and not after. An ...
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The Importance Of A Parenting Plan During The Holidays
Jan 17
Holidays can be difficult for North Carolina parents who are separated or newly divorced. If there are no provisions about holiday time in the ...
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The Establishment, Modification And Enforcement Of Child Support
Jan 11
High-profile child custody and child support cases gain plenty of attention on social media and traditional outlets as well, A recurring issue centers ...
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Financial Considerations For People Going Through A Divorce
Dec 18
North Carolina couples who are going through a divorce have a lot of issues to work out financially. During property division negotiations, financial ...
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What happens to a pet in a divorce?
Aug 25
Eric Meredith talks with WCNC about ‘puppy prenups’ Read about our recent WCNC interview on ‘puppy prenups’. North Carolina residents who are not ...
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Grandparents Raising Children In North Carolina
May 27
Family units come in varying forms, and not all children live with their parents. While some children are put in the foster system, a child or ...
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Understanding child custody exchanges
Jan 28
Coming to a resolution regarding child custody issues, especially those pertaining to custody exchanges, can result in some of the most combative ...
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Waiting to File for a Divorce after January Could Reduce Risks
Jan 06
Family law attorneys in North Carolina are aware of the divorce trends that occur immediately following the holiday season. Statistically, the average ...
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Remember the child in child custody matters
Jan 04
When those with children divorce, each parent likely considers what will be best for their offspring when going forward. However, each parent might ...
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Why You Might Want to Seek Alimony in Your Divorce
Oct 13
From technology to laws, society is always changing. Over time, we make little improvements that tend to have a big impact on our lives. One such ...
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Is there a better option to handling missing support payments?
Oct 12
Generally speaking, when a family law judge awards custody of a child to a custodial parent, the noncustodial parent is then ordered to pay child ...
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Need to know facts about grey divorce and retirement benefits
Sep 27
As we have mentioned before on this blog, divorce among older people is on the rise. Although there is nothing wrong with divorcing later in life — in ...
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Can a child support order cover school expenses?
Sep 27
The start of this month marked back to school time for many children across the nation. From folders to pencils to new backpacks, all of these school ...
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Child support matters can be complicated
Sep 24
When a relationship comes to an end there are many things that need to be taken into consideration by the splitting couple. While financial matters ...
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Could both spouses end up paying for student loans in a divorce?
Sep 21
Numerous Americans, including many here in North Carolina, take out student loans in order to pay for higher education. How these loans are dealt with ...
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Did billionaire spring prenup on bride days before wedding?
Sep 13
Many wealthy individuals in North Carolina and the rest of the country enter prenuptial agreements before marriage in order to protect their assets ...
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Should a woman change her name in a North Carolina divorce?
Aug 11
It can be difficult for some North Carolina residents to move past the end of a marriage. However, some people choose to view it as a new beginning. ...
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Ensuring equitable distribution when one spouse keeps the home
Jul 21
In many North Carolina divorce cases — especially those involving children — one party decides he or she wants to keep the marital home. Ensuring an ...
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Determining who will be the custodial parent in a divorce
Jul 19
It may not be difficult for North Carolina parents to guess that going through a divorce can be trying. However, they may not be prepared for the ...
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It is not just North Carolina men paying child support anymore
Jun 08
Now, more than ever, women are occupying positions of power in corporate America. North Carolina readers may find it interesting that statistics show ...
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Getting Beyond Emotions in Property Division
Jun 05
It might be difficult to find anyone in North Carolina who would not agree that ending a marriage is fraught with emotion. Many people become so ...
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