Family Law
Gum, Hillier & McCroskey, PA is pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked in the 2015 “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® in the following areas: Metropolitan Awards Tier 1, Asheville, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Tier 1, Asheville, Family Law Firms included in the 2015 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients…
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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) The surname of a prior deceased husband; or (3) The surname of a prior living husband if she has children who have that husband’s surname.” Section (a1) of that statute provides that any man whose marriage is dissolved by divorce may “change the surname he…
Read This Article >>Numerous online businesses have emerged in recent years that offer legal forms and information to enable consumers to create their own legal documents and perform many legal related services without the need for an attorney. The impact on a local level is that the number of pro se litigants (those representing themselves) has increased exponentially in Buncombe County over the past few years. The online and self-help legal service industry has been fueled by consumers…
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 >>In North Carolina, “separate property” refers to assets or debts owned by one spouse individually. Separate property is considered all property (real estate or personal property) acquired by a spouse prior to marriage, or acquired by gift or inheritance during the marriage. Separate property includes debts acquired prior to marriage such as student loans or credit card debt. Separate property can include assets and debts that do not fit so neatly into the above-referenced definition.…
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