FAMILY LAW ARTICLES

SHOW: All Articles
  • SHOW: All Articles
  • Alimony
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Domestic Violence
  • Family Contracts
  • Family Law
  • Family Law FAQs
  • Mediation
  • Modification
  • Property Settlement
  • Separation & Divorce

Issues to Consider Before You Separate

When parties separate, it is not unusual for their separation to be preceded by a heated argument or domestic violence. High drama often sets the stage for a separation to...
Single parent and two small children walking on the distant beach at dusk in silhouette.

What Are Factors That a Judge May Consider in Determining Child Custody?

In North Carolina, the legal standard that judges are required to apply in child custody cases is “the best interests of the child.” Thus, when parents cannot reach an agreement...
A pile of money with a stethoscope depicting monitoring of financial health.

Post-Divorce Steps You Should Take to Protect Your Assets And Financial Interests

If you have signed your separation agreement or a judge has entered a Judgment of Equitable Distribution dividing your marital property and debts, you are probably feeling relieved that this...
Image taken from across the top of a filing cabinet drawer with hanging file folders with plastic tab separators. The foremost forward tab is labeled "Insurance" while remaining tabs are slightly out of focus.

Can I Require My Spouse to Maintain Life Insurance To Secure an Alimony or Child Support Obligation?

Under North Carolina law, the obligation of a spouse to pay alimony, or a parent to pay child support, ceases upon the death of the obligor. Maintaining a life insurance...
Image of a child wearing a black hoodie on a black background with his finger in front of his lips illustrating saying nothing.

Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy

In North Carolina, domestic violence can be defined in simple terms as abuse, fear of abuse, harassment, or undue manipulation or control that occurs between two parties involved, or formerly...

Dating After Separation

A question that family law attorneys are often asked is: "How long after separation should I wait before I start dating?" Unfortunately, the answer varies depending on the unique circumstances...
Image of a counselor comforting a patient by holding her hand depicting successful use of therapy through divorce.

Counseling

Domestic disputes are emotionally charged. Clients are encouraged to seek counseling before and during the process. Counseling can help clients to work through their pain, accept the marriage’s end, learn...
Image of the bottom right corner of an invoice showing an amount due.

Under What Circumstances Can My Spouse Be Required to Pay My Attorney’s Fees?

North Carolina law allows a judge to order one party to pay the other party’s reasonable attorney’s fees in certain family related legal matters, including child custody, child support, post-separation...
Image of a woman with her hands held together in front of her holding a small white package with a red bow.

Gifts during Marriage – When a Gift Is Not a Gift

Separate property is considered property (either an asset or debt) that belongs to one spouse individually. Separate property is not subject to equitable distribution and its value is not included...

Consequences to Consider for Failure to Pay Child Support

If you are experiencing financial hardship and having difficulty complying with a court order requiring you to pay child support, you might want to think twice before you become delinquent...
Image of a ceramic pig bank with change spread across a wooden table denoting costs of a divorce.

Costs

Just as it is impossible to predict exactly how long your case will take, it is difficult to realistically estimate the total cost of your litigation, even when your attorney...
Meme image on golden background with the words Focus on what Matters, Let Go of What Doesn't"

Practical Matters

Litigation often spawns more litigation. To determine whether certain issues are worth litigating, you must weigh the price you will pay with your time, emotions, and money, against the anticipated...