In a divorce, there are many important decisions to be made. Decisions about property division, alimony, child support, child custody, and parenting time cannot be made without true information. When a divorcing spouse suspects that there may have been...
Can I get custody of my grandchild if their parent is mentally ill?
Under the right circumstances, third parties such as grandparents can seek custody of children in North Carolina. In order for that to happen, you must show either that the child’s parents are unfit or that they have failed to act in accordance with their...
When can I legally change my name?
If you are over 16 and living in North Carolina, there are a number of situations when you can legally change your name. The most straightforward is when you are getting a divorce and plan to return to the name you had before the marriage. If you are interested in...
After infidelity, what is an alienation of affection lawsuit?
One of the central, binding promises of marriage is fidelity. Infidelity creates costs to both the marriage and to society, as infidelity deprives a married person of their spouse’s affection and trust, and it deprives society of a healthy marriage between two people....
How do you adopt your step-child in North Carolina?
Here in North Carolina, there are plenty of opportunities for adoption. One of the most common situations where people choose to adopt is when it would benefit their step-child. Under the right circumstances, step-parent adoption can be a loving and meaningful thing...
Can I get emergency sole custody of my children?
If you have a pending divorce or child custody case, you may be able to get a temporary emergency order for sole custody of your children if the circumstances warrant. This is normally possible if you can show that your children are at substantial risk of bodily...
Incorporating birthday celebrations into your parenting plan
You don’t want to miss out on your child’s birthday. It’s a very special time that marks the march of the years. Every birthday is a milestone. Plus, you want to see if they love their gifts as much as you hope. After a divorce, you will have to determine how...
Divorce rates jumped in 2020, apparently due to pandemic woes
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought hardships to many. There have been extensive job losses, creating economic stress in many households. For those who remain employed, work arrangements had to be made, with working from home the new norm for many. Children have been...
Can I get a new child custody determination when I move away?
You’re moving away from North Carolina with approval by the court. If you do not like the custody and parenting arrangements that were reached by the North Carolina family court, it can be tempting to look to another state for a better arrangement. Can you start over...
Getting a divorce? Stop tweeting now
Did you know your tweets, status updates, and other social media posts can be used as evidence in family law cases? It’s true. Even if your posts are restricted to family and friends, they could still be admissible in court. Public posts, or those shared by mutual...
