You’re not alone in considering your pets to be family members. An American Veterinary Medical Association study found that 85% of dog owners and 76% of cat owners think of their pets as family. That could mean for some tough choices in your divorce. Fortunately or...
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Divorce
4 things to know about divorcing later in life
It used to be quite rare for people over 50 to divorce, but times are changing. Between 1990 and 2009, the divorce rate among people 50 and older doubled. In 1990, the divorce rate among that group was about 1 in 10. By 2009, it was one in four. So if you’re...
How long does it really take to get a divorce in North Carolina?
We hate to do it to you, but the answer is “it depends.” There are a lot of factors at work in determining how long a divorce will take. Some of them you can control, while others may be unavoidable. First, there are time limits in the law. To get divorced in North...
How do I find the right divorce attorney?
If you’re considering divorce, you are probably wondering how to choose the right divorce attorney. You’re looking online and perhaps asking around. It’s important to determine just what you’re looking for in a divorce lawyer and how you envision your divorce going....
When might a premarital agreement be invalid in North Carolina?
Premarital (“prenuptial”) agreements can be very helpful in the right circumstances. They can give a person of means the right to direct their existing property to their children, for example, when a divorce might direct it to their spouse. Yet premarital agreements...
Can I get a fault-based divorce in North Carolina?
No. Unlike many other states, North Carolina does not have a fault-based divorce. In the vast majority of cases, you need only decide that your marriage is irretrievably broken and then be physically separated from your spouse for a period of at least one consecutive...
New bills would change the divorce rules, ban ‘heart balm’ suits
A set of bills introduced in the North Carolina House and Senate would make changes to the rules for divorce and eliminate “alienation of affection” and “criminal conversation” lawsuits. If they are passed into law, what would the changes be? What are ‘heart balm’...
Help! My spouse won’t agree to a divorce
It can take a great deal of thought, pain and frustration to come to the conclusion that you want a divorce. Once you have, it almost comes as a surprise, sometimes, when your spouse isn’t immediately on the same page. People come to their own conclusions at different...
Do active-duty military service people have to go through divorce?
Eventually, but generally not while they’re on active duty. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) gives active-duty military service members additional time before they have to respond to civil court cases, including divorce and other family law matters. The...
5 things to consider when dividing valuable collections in divorce
If you own a collection that is considered marital property, you may be wondering if you need to divide its value during your divorce. In general, you probably will have to divide it if it has demonstrable value. The division should be equitable, meaning it may not be...