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Social Media and Your Domestic Case

Social networking websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn, provide a unique forum for us to connect and share information with others. As the use of such social media...

Tax Implications of Receiving (and Paying) Postseparation Support and Alimony

In North Carolina, there are no mathematical formulas for determining awards of postseparation support and alimony. The trial courts have broad discretion in determining the amount and duration of postseparation...
Image of a file folder attoped with a gavel labeled Prenuptial Agreement.

Can a Premarital Agreement Be Signed after the Marriage?

As its name implies, a premarital agreement (also known as a prenuptial agreement) is an agreement that parties enter into before marriage. To be considered a valid premarital agreement, the...
Image of two men shaking hands in agreement.

How Does Mediation Work?

Mediation can take place over a series of sessions. But, more often than not, it is scheduled for a continuous amount of time to keep the negotiations going. Sessions are...

Who Took the Money in the Cookie Jar?

Many couples keep cash savings on hand for an emergency. Cash may be stored in a cookie jar, under the mattress, safe deposit box, or some other place for safekeeping....
Image of a bright child wearing oversized glasses and holding a clipboard denoting support of children.

Can a Stepparent Be Required to Pay Child Support for a Current or Former Stepchild?

Under North Carolina law, the legal parents (either biological or adoptive) of a child are deemed to be primarily responsible for the child’s financial support. As such, a stepparent has...
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How Can I Resume My Maiden Name or Former Surname Following Divorce?

North Carolina General Statute § 50-12(a) authorizes a woman whose marriage is dissolved by divorce to change her name to any of the following: “(1) Her maiden name; or (2)...
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What are the Benefits of Arbitration?

The benefits of arbitration are many. The process is confidential and private unless it is provided for, and no record is kept of the proceedings. Each party has some control...
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...
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...

Do I Need a Legal Document Establishing Physical Custody of My Child?

A dispute between parents over child custody or visitation can arise at any time when the child is born outside marriage or there is a separation or divorce. Even if...

Cautionary Tale of Online Cheating

In today’s world, websites and modern technology, such as email, instant messaging, and texting, provide a means for cheaters to establish and maintain extramarital relationships with a greater degree of...