Divorce & Family Law

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

Either parent may request a modification of child support from the Court. Similar to modification of child custody, modification of child support ...

Getting a divorce can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Contested divorces create an entire new array of emotions. A divorce is the legal ...

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 ...

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. ...

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 ...

The law of North Carolina defines marital misconduct as follows: “Marital misconduct means any of the following acts that occur during the marriage ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

It is widely known that divorce can be a challenging and emotionally charged experience for both partners involved. However, children also feel the ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Divorce is an emotionally charged topic full of questions and feelings that can often be hard to put into words. This makes explaining the ...

Intentionally disciplining a child can sometimes lead to unintentional consequences. The worst of these can often be charged for child abuse. Whether ...

Domestic violence is taken really seriously in the criminal justice system in North Carolina. People often mistakenly believe they have been charged ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Along with inflation, interest rates have been rising this year. This trend has already impacted business and personal finances in North Carolina, but ...

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 ...

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 ...

Reaching a child custody agreement can be challenging when parents have significantly different ideas about what the agreement should entail. The most ...

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 ...

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 ...

Millions of families began receiving in July advance payments of the Child Tax Credit (CTC), as made possible by the American Rescue Plan. According ...

Wicked stepparents are common in literature. Cinderella was abused by her stepmother and stepsisters. Snow White was ordered to be killed by her ...

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 ...

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 ...

North Carolina residents may have heard some reports that say divorce rates are down. While the official number of annual divorces has been dropping ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Virtually every divorced North Carolina individual knows that the decision to end a marriage can be fraught with anxiety and uncertainty. Not knowing ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

On March 13, 2020, North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley announced that due to the COVID-19 or coronavirus, North Carolina Courts ...

On top of everything happening at the present date with COVID-19, individuals may be dealing with circumstances surrounding child custody or ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

In North Carolina, parents have a duty to provide support for their children. However, when child support payments are ordered, the non-custodial ...

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 ...

In North Carolina, the law governing alimony in North Carolina General Statute § 50-16.3A. The alimony statute addresses marital misconduct as ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

When North Carolina couples decide to get divorced, they are also making the decision to separate their resources. North Carolina General Statute ...

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. ...

Equitable Distribution is the process by which the law in North Carolina instructs judges to distribute equitably upon divorce, all property, legally ...

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 ...

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 ...

One of the most common domestic violence crimes in a violation of a Domestic Violence Protective Order (“DVPO”), commonly referred to as a restraining ...

What is the Marital Gift Exception When Going Through a Divorce (For Purposes of Equitable Distribution)? Going through a divorce can be a difficult ...

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 ...

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 ...

Over the course of a marriage, a couple, both individually and together, acquires property. In legal terms, “property” essentially means anything of ...

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 ...

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 ...

Some divorced North Carolina fathers may find themselves struggling to maintain ongoing relationships with their children. They often face issues when ...

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 ...

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 ...

North Carolina residents who are considering divorce can benefit from remaining united when it comes to rules and boundaries for children. Parents who ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Married couples who decide to divorce are likely making the right decision for themselves, but going through the process can still be very challenging ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

North Carolina residents who are going through a contentious divorce should pay close attention to the marital assets. In an effort to avoid sharing ...

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 ...

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. ...

Many North Carolina parents find it difficult to successfully co-parent their children following a divorce. In many cases, one parent may harbor ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

Individuals approaching or going through divorce in North Carolina may be able to avoid some common pitfalls by checking specific items off a list ...

Many couples in North Carolina decide to live together without getting married. While some of these couples choose to rent a house or apartment, ...

Some divorced parents in North Carolina may still feel strong emotions about their former spouses. According to one study, about half of divorced ...

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 ...

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 ...

What Are Some Alternatives To Divorce? There are a few alternative options to divorce in North Carolina: uncontested divorce, collaborative divorce, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Many North Carolina residents consider writing a prenuptial agreement before entering into a marriage. Typically, prenups are used to protect the ...

As a couple contemplates the possibility of divorce, finances can be one of the greatest concerns. Regardless of age, retirement benefits can be ...

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 ...

Although negative feelings naturally surround the dissolution of most marriages, North Carolina parents calling it quits must consider how their ...

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 ...

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, ...

Some older North Carolina couples choose to divorce. People who have been married for many years may have more complex tasks involved with dividing ...

While many divorces in North Carolina can be difficult, the challenges may be even greater for business owners who lack an adequate prenuptial ...

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 ...

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. ...

North Carolina couples whose marriages are foundering should be ready for the many financial challenges and tasks that come up during divorce ...

Various factors can lead to the demise of a North Carolina marriage, but financial infidelity can create problems that linger long after a marriage ...

Many North Carolina couples who are going through a divorce are probably also faced with many financial challenges, especially if they have a ...

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 ...

Holidays can be difficult for North Carolina parents who are separated or newly divorced. If there are no provisions about holiday time in the ...

High-profile child custody and child support cases gain plenty of attention on social media and traditional outlets as well, A recurring issue centers ...

North Carolina couples who are going through a divorce have a lot of issues to work out financially. During property division negotiations, financial ...

Eric Meredith talks with WCNC about ‘puppy prenups’ Read about our recent WCNC interview on ‘puppy prenups’. North Carolina residents who are not ...

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 ...

Coming to a resolution regarding child custody issues, especially those pertaining to custody exchanges, can result in some of the most combative ...

Family law attorneys in North Carolina are aware of the divorce trends that occur immediately following the holiday season. Statistically, the average ...

When those with children divorce, each parent likely considers what will be best for their offspring when going forward. However, each parent might ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Many wealthy individuals in North Carolina and the rest of the country enter prenuptial agreements before marriage in order to protect their assets ...

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. ...

In many North Carolina divorce cases — especially those involving children — one party decides he or she wants to keep the marital home. Ensuring an ...

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 ...

Now, more than ever, women are occupying positions of power in corporate America. North Carolina readers may find it interesting that statistics show ...

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 ...