Family law does not operate in a vacuum. Put another way, family law is a realm perhaps unmatched in any other sphere for its routine involvement with broad-based matters from multiple legal areas. Take divorce, for example, where issues relevant to finances, taxes and many…
Prenuptial agreements have grown in popularity in recent years. This is, in part, because Americans are waiting longer to enter into first marriages, which usually means that each spouse has acquired some personal assets that they want to protect if divorce ever becomes necessary. These…
Divorce is hard on families – especially kids. But while helping your children adjust to life after divorce isn’t without its challenges, the good news is that over 50 scientific studies on joint physical custody confirm that children who maintain healthy relationships with both of their parents…
In June 2020, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed the Second Chance Act into law. This act, which received bipartisan support, makes significant changes to North Carolina’s expungement laws. This new law makes more criminal records eligible for expungement. Before, even people who have served…
One benefit of North Carolina’s no-fault divorce law is that you no longer have to put your personal life into the public record. In the old days, you had no choice but to provide evidence that your spouse has been neglectful or malicious, or is…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
In previous times, it was held that in the event of a divorce young children were better off in the primary care of their mother.This is no longer the case in the modern court. In fact, the general modern consensus is that children are better…
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…
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…
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…
Divorce in North Carolina is a difficult process emotionally, but most of the court battles center around the financials of it. Many people are very concerned about the amount of alimony they may be required to pay the spouse if they are the supporting party,…