Alimony
With the exception of child custody, family law cases are largely about financial issues – child support, postseparation support, alimony, and identification, classification, evaluation, and distribution of marital and divisible property. Depending on the issues in your case, your attorney may recommend that you retain a qualified accountant to assist with certain aspects of your divorce. Accountants who are certified public accountants, forensic accountants, and business valuators can provide a wide range of financial services…
Read This Article >>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 support and alimony awards, and the results can vary greatly from case to case. One factor that may be considered in determining postseparation support and alimony awards is the tax consequences that may result from those awards. Awards of postseparation support and alimony are considered…
Read This Article >>In a family law context, do-it-yourself separation agreements present an area that is laden with potential problems. A separation agreement, which may also be referred to by other names such as a Marital Settlement Agreement or Contract of Separation and Property Settlement Agreement, is a written contract between a husband and wife wherein they reach various agreements related to their marital separation. Some of the dangers of a do-it-yourself separation agreement are delineated below. Many…
Read This Article >>A spouse who is dependent upon another spouse for financial support may find herself/himself with little or no income and limited financial resources when the parties separate. Financial constraints can make it difficult for a dependent spouse to retain an attorney to pursue claims for postseparation support and/or alimony. In order to level the playing field and allow a dependent spouse to employ legal counsel and litigate on substantially even terms, North Carolina law authorizes…
Read This Article >>
There are many reasons why people lie – tell an intentional untruth – during domestic cases. When the stakes are high, such as when someone is faced with losing custody of their child or a spouse whom they still love, it is not surprising that they may embellish or outright lie to try to bolster their case, conceal evidence that may be damaging to their case, or make false allegations to try to hurt or…
Read This Article >>