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
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...
Stock Photography image of man in gray suit doing the thumbs up gesture.

What are the Benefits of Mediation?

Mediators can increase the likelihood of a negotiated settlement by bringing the skills, creativity, and influence of trained, impartial third parties to bear on the problem. Perhaps more importantly, frequently...
Image of two people sitting at a desk cropped so that faces are implied. The gavel in the foreground denotes a legal proceeding and the hand gestures of the subjects implies that one spouse disagrees.

What Can I Do If My Spouse Will Not Sign Our Separation Agreement?

Separation agreement is a general term used to describe a written contract that spouses enter into to address some or all issues arising from their marital separation. A separation agreement...
Conflict Resolution image depicting the words "conflict" and "mediation" on a glass board. Person with red marker has crossed out "conflict" and is underling mediation.

Why is ADR Encouraged?

Alternative dispute resolution can save financial and emotional costs. Not only is litigation expensive and time-consuming, but it can be very stressful. You may feel that an important part of...
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...
Image of an Audi sedan with six pick axes stuck into it depicting revenge in divorce. Ouch.

The Danger of Plotting Revenge

The stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional upheaval that come with the divorce process can bring out the worst in otherwise good people. Divorce attorneys are well accustomed to hearing clients...
Image of small child with hands, palms face down, in the hands of an adult, depicting child support

Will My Child Support Be Reduced If My Income Decreases?

Courts have an inherent duty to protect the interests of minor children. Therefore, child support may always be modified by a court having jurisdiction to ensure that child support is...
Image of a man in a black suit and blue tie, cropped without a face, pounding a gavel.

What is Arbitration?

Matrimonial arbitration can be used to resolve multiple or single family law issues which the parties agree by contract to submit to the arbitration process. Some parties are bound by...

Can I Withhold Visitation If the Other Parent Doesn’t Pay Child Support?

The unequivocal answer is “no.” Under North Carolina law, child support and visitation are separate matters and a parent's failure to pay child support is not a legal justification to...

Does Child Support Automatically Terminate When My Child Turns Age 18?

Ordinarily, a parent’s legal responsibility to provide child support for their child terminates when the child attains age 18. However, there are exceptions. If the child is still in primary...
Image of a competent business woman analyzing graphs depicting the kind of investigative and analytic services provided by experts in divorce matters.

Why You May Need an Expert Witness or Other Professional to Assist in Your Divorce or Child Custody Case

Depending on the nature and complexity of the issues in dispute in your divorce or child custody matter, your attorney may recommend that you engage the services of non-lawyer professionals...

How Is Property Valued for Purposes of Equitable Distribution?

In North Carolina, the court ordered or agreed-upon division of assets and debts that occurs when spouses separate is called equitable distribution. For purposes of equitable distribution, the parties’ marital...