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Why having children can be expensive for same-sex couples

While the dream of marriage equality for same-sex couples is a reality, there are some areas where a same-sex couple encounters greater difficulties than heterosexual couples. One of these areas is having children. It is often more expensive for same-sex couples to have children, and…

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What should I know when filing for custody in North Carolina?

When it comes to divorce, decisions regarding child custody are the most difficult to navigate. Even amicable divorces are hard on kids, so you must do all you can to ensure a smooth process. Part of this involves understanding your options when it comes to…

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How can you make a custody battle easier on yourself?

If you are preparing for a custody battle, you may feel like you are gearing up for war. When marriages end in anger or frustration, it may be difficult to engage amicably in a custody battle. According to the Huffington Post, a child custody battle can be…

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Know how long alimony payments will last

When people divorce, one spouse may need to pay alimony. People may wonder how long they will need to make these payments. According to FindLaw, courts award alimony so that people can maintain the standard of living they had during the marriage. Ex-spouses may not always be…

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What is alienation of affection?

If your marriage ended because your spouse deserted you, then you may have a unique opportunity to claim punitive damages from him or her. According to FindLaw, alienation of affection is something that might give you grounds to sue your spouse for damages after your marriage ends.…

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Obstacles to adopting or fostering a child for same-sex couples

There are many ways to start and grow a family, and the 2015 Supreme Court decision affirming marriage equality opened up a lot of avenues for same-sex couples that discriminatory laws had closed to them before. However, if you and your same-sex partner would like…

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What issues with parental rights do same-sex families face?

When the U.S. Supreme Court made its ruling that legalized same-sex marriage, many states did not have laws in place to account for the changes that family law matters would see due to the ruling. The most challenging area thus far has been when it…

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Dividing a medical practice in a divorce: what you should know

Perhaps the only thing more stressful than practicing medicine is practicing medicine while going through a divorce. If you have your own medical practice and your spouse are splitting up, one of the most important factors to tackle is what will happen to the practice.…

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Not getting married? Consider other legal protection

For many couples, marriage has two meanings: a sentimental or religious purpose and a legal purpose. While the personal side takes a different form for everyone, the legal side is rigid. North Carolina law provides specific benefits and protections to married couples that are not…

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Unemployment and spousal support obligations

For those who lose their job, life often becomes hard in a lot of ways. Paying bills, buying food and dealing with uncertainty about one’s future is often a major hurdle. Some people are able to find another position relatively briefly, but the job market…

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Your home, your mortgage and your divorce

If you and your spouse own a home together and now are facing a divorce, you will need to understand how to deal with your home. The decision about keeping or selling a home may be made based on multiple factors, including if you own…

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Changes to law may affect federal tax treatment of alimony

As North Carolina couples navigate issues of divorce and spousal support, they may not be aware of how tax planning considerations need to enter the discussion. Forbes explains how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act modifies the federal income tax treatment of alimony or spousal support arrangements…

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What is an essential element of effective co-parenting?

After a divorce, learning how to parent children with your ex-spouse may hinge on how well you communicate. Since you no longer live together, it becomes even more critical that you make every attempt to clearly and effectively discuss the lives of your children. What…

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How do North Carolina courts handle same-sex divorce?

If you live in North Carolina and your same-sex marriage is ending, you may wonder whether the state’s courts handle the dissolution of gay marriages differently than heterosexual unions. North Carolina recognizes both same-sex marriage and couples’ rights to divorce; however, there are a few…

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The signs and symptoms of parental alienation syndrome

According to Psychology Today, parental alienation syndrome — the term for which psychiatrist Dr. Richard A. Gardner first coined in 1980 — occurs when one parent attempts to turn the couple’s child against the target parent. The alienating parent may use tactics that include but are not…

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What court hears child abuse cases?

Child abuse is a very serious matter. When Child Protective Services begins investigating a case, workers always focus on the child and his or her needs. If you are under investigation due to a child abuse claim, it can be very disheartening, especially if you…

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What happens when a step-parent wants custody?

Losing a spouse is one of the most challenging things a person may have to go through. In some instances, the loss may come at an even higher price. In the case of second marriages with children, a step-parent may take a healthy and active…

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How should you talk to your children about divorce?

When a couple in North Carolina decides that it is time to end a marriage, the situation becomes tricky if they have children, no matter how old they are. Kids react differently to this news depending on their age, but most fear the lack of…

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What should you consider legally before adopting?

Every state has different adoption laws, and North Carolina is no exception. Adding a child to a family is a big decision and it is important that you go into the process knowing what to expect. Whether you are the traditional family, a same-sex couple…

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What are the settlements that you can get from a divorce when residing in North Carolina?

When living in North Carolina, you do not need a separation agreement or any other written supportive documents as proof. Instead, you are separated when your spouse lives in a different home and intends to do so permanently. Similarly, when you live in the same…

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