Distinctive Representation in Sophisticated Family Law Matters
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North Carolina’s domestic violence law has undergone changes in recent years, expanding the types of qualifying relationships and the list of people who can be charged. Previously, the law limited domestic violence charges in relationships to a man who assaulted his female partner. If a woman was found guilty of a similar act of violence, she would likely face simple assault charges, which often carried lesser penalties. The state’s updated legislation encompasses broader definitions of who can be charged with domestic violence. Continue reading →

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The end of a marriage can be devastating, no matter the circumstances, and it takes time to process the loss. Holidays like Valentine’s Day can be difficult, especially if it’s the first one after a divorce. It may be painful, but you can learn to navigate the different emotions you’re sure to feel. Here are a few ways you can shift your focus and view Valentine’s Day as a way to love and value yourself because you are truly worth loving. Continue reading →

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Spouses going through the divorce process should not necessarily assume that the facts will speak for themselves or that they don’t need to take an active role in their divorce proceedings. Important matters are discussed at each hearing; every document the court asks for is vital to the case; and parties will not always get another chance to make their arguments. Continue reading →

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Spouses going through divorce proceedings in North Carolina may eventually have the option to file an appeal of a final order, but appealing a decision is not as easy as filing one or two documents. There are extensive requirements, and while some are relatively simple, like the requirement that the appeal be filed within 30 days, others, like the appellate court’s record, require strategic planning. Continue reading →

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Gray divorce—when couples over the age of 50 end their marriage—is becoming more and more common as individuals seek fulfillment in their later years.

In our previous blogs, we examined the gray divorces of Bill and Melinda Gates, as well as Rupert Murdoch and Wendi Deng, focusing on financial complexities and emotional adjustments.

In this installment, we look at the high-profile split of Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos, which sheds light on the importance of financial planning, amicable resolution, and moving forward with purpose. Continue reading →

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Regular employment income is not the only type of income that can be used to determine child support obligations in North Carolina. The state’s child support guidelines allow a variety of financial sources to be considered as income for support purposes, including salaries, wages, commissions, dividends, pensions, trusts, unemployment benefits, gifts, prizes, and self-employment income. Continue reading →

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Self-executing modifications are provisions within a contract or order that amend the terms upon a specified event that may occur in the future. The legality of these provisions varies from state to state; some states have determined that self-executing modifications are typically illegal, and others have yet to make any clear or definitive decisions about the legality of such terms.

The North Carolina Court of Appeals case of Madison v. Gonzalez-Madison involved a self-executing modification in a custody order, and the appellate court’s ruling provided clarification on North Carolina’s laws regarding this issue. Continue reading →

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Courts in North Carolina often enter temporary orders on child custody because time is of the essence in such an important issue. These temporary orders must be followed until the court makes a final ruling, but temporary and permanent orders are handled differently in terms of requesting changes. Is returning to court for a final ruling the only way for an order to become permanent? Continue reading →

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Federal law prohibits someone who has a domestic violence restraining order filed against them from possessing a firearm if that restraining order includes a finding that they present a credible threat to the physical safety of an intimate partner or their child. The case of United States v. Rahimi explored whether such a provision can be enforced without violating an individual’s Second Amendment right. Continue reading →

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Separation agreements in North Carolina are intended to lay out agreed-upon terms for spouses going through a divorce, and they are sometimes seen as a placeholder until a final decree of divorce can be entered. While it is possible to incorporate a separation agreement into a final decree in North Carolina, it is not required, and some agreements are not incorporated. What happens if one spouse or ex-spouse violates the terms of a separation agreement that was not incorporated into the divorce decree? Continue reading →