Divorce later in life, often referred to as "gray divorce," has become increasingly common in recent years. Experts predict that divorce after 50 will continue to grow, with numbers doubling between 1990 and 2015. While contemplating divorce after the children have...
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Divorce
What is a ‘sleep divorce’ and does it predict actual divorce?
A sleep divorce is when a married couple decides they must sleep in separate beds or bedrooms. It’s one solution to the many common problems couples face that keep them from sleeping well together. Is sleeping together absolutely necessary for a happy marriage? No,...
Will my inheritance be divided in my divorce?
If you are getting divorced in North Carolina, the answer is no, generally not. Property inherited by one spouse before or during the marriage is considered separate property, not marital property. Only marital property is divided in a North Carolina divorce....
Have you experienced financial infidelity in your marriage?
It’s much more common than you might think. One spouse hides a stash of money from the other – or incurs a debt the other spouse never agreed to. It’s called “financial infidelity.” The act of financial deception can not only undermine trust but also have long-term...
Is alimony only for women?
Not at all. Whether or not you get alimony (“spousal support”) depends on your financial position in the marriage and whether it would be fair, under the circumstances, to grant alimony. North Carolina’s alimony statute does not refer to spouses by their gender. It...
Social media can hurt your marriage. Don’t let it rule your divorce.
This may not come as a surprise to you, but there is significant reason to believe that social media activity harms marriages. For example, one study analyzed several different models of marriage and found a statistical link between social media use and a decrease in...
3 ways to split time with the kids during spring break
When you have children together and divorce, you will need to decide how to fairly divide your time parenting – and that includes holidays and school breaks. Spring break is special because it’s often a convenient time to take a week-long holiday with the kids. Spring...
Come to mediation prepared to ask for what you want
Divorce and child custody mediation are required by North Carolina law. The good thing is, they are also usually a good idea. The best way to take advantage of mediation is to prepare in advance so you know what you want to negotiate toward. A divorce trial is...
We’re getting a divorce. Why should we have a separation agreement?
North Carolina law doesn’t require a separation agreement before you can get a divorce, so why get one? Isn’t it just an added expense? No, it's not just an added expense. You should definitely negotiate a separation agreement, and a good one may well pay for itself....
How do you divide a 401(k) in divorce without paying penalties?
You probably know that you will face early withdrawal penalties and taxes if you take money out of your 401(k) before you reach retirement age. You probably also know that your 401(k) account will be divided in your divorce. If you were to write your spouse a check...