Alimony

Can Alimony Be Increased or Decreased?

October 18, 2016

A court order for payment of alimony that is entered by a North Carolina Court may be modified or vacated if a judge finds that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the entry of the original order. In general, the circumstances necessary to modify an alimony order must relate to a change in the financial needs of the dependent spouse (the spouse receiving alimony) or in the supporting spouse’s ability to pay.

Costly Divorce Mistakes: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You.

June 14, 2016

In an effort to save money during divorce, many couples turn to self-help legal forms and generic advice found on the Internet rather than hiring a family law attorney. When parties attempt to represent themselves in the divorce process and forgo the benefit of legal counsel, they place themselves at risk of adverse legal and financial consequences that could end up costing them more than if they had hired an attorney. Before you elect to…

Does It Matter in a Divorce If One Spouse Was the “Breadwinner” During Marriage?

March 31, 2016

A common refrain that attorneys hear during the divorce process is: “I earned all the money during the marriage, so why should I have to give my ex half of everything I own?” Employment income that is earned during the marriage and before the date of separation is considered marital income, regardless of which spouse earned it. North Carolina equitable distribution laws are based upon the concept that marriage is a partnership in which both…

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

March 9, 2016

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 support, and alimony. What this means is that, in some circumstances, a judge may order the other party to pay your attorney’s fees, or require you to pay the other party’s attorney’s fees. In awarding attorney’s fees in actions for child custody and/or child support,…

What Is Cohabitation and How Will It Affect My Alimony?

November 2, 2015

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When alimony is paid pursuant to the terms of an order entered by a North Carolina Court, then North Carolina law governs the conditions under which the alimony terminates. Under North Carolina law, alimony shall terminate upon the first to occur of the following: (1) the date, time period, or circumstances specified by the court in its order, (2) the death of either the supporting spouse or the dependent spouse; (3) the dependent spouse’s remarriage;…