Jurisdiction is the authority of a particular court to hear and rule on a case, and it is a crucial part of any court proceeding. There are multiple types of jurisdiction, such as territorial and subject matter. Territorial jurisdiction refers to a court’s ability to hear cases relating to a…
There are some situations in which a non-parent may be required to pay child support in North Carolina, but there are strict requirements that must be met. In most cases, non-parents are not obligated to pay child support. A recent Court of Appeals case dealt with this issue, stating that,…
North Carolina child support is calculated using various elements like the needs of the child and the custody arrangements, but income is one of the most significant factors in child support determinations. In most cases, the income each parent presently and actually earns is used to calculate support obligations. However,…
Equitable distribution is available in North Carolina divorces whenever either party requests it. The court will determine the most equitable division of assets and debts, which is not always an equal split. Determining the most equitable distribution of the spouses’ property involves various factors, including: Income of each spouse at…
In civil cases, such as divorces and equitable distribution matters, the defendant must be served with the summons and complaint prior to the date of the hearing. While process servers and the local Sheriff’s department can serve legal documents, you may also be able to serve the opposing party by…
In a recent case involving trust property in an equitable distribution dispute, the North Carolina Court of Appeals vacated and remanded a trial court’s decision not to add a trust as a necessary party to the case. In Wenninger v. Wenninger, Husband appealed from three orders entered by the trial…
Subject matter jurisdiction is the right of a specific court to hear a case and make rulings on the issues. In child custody cases, North Carolina uses the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), which says that jurisdiction can be established in the following ways: Initial child custody…
Spouses in North Carolina who are contemplating divorce may consider entering into a separation agreement, and this is a beneficial option for many husbands and wives. What happens if one spouse violates the terms of the agreement? Separation agreements that are not incorporated into a court order are typically subject…
Court orders cannot typically require nonparties to act. When a court issues an order, the requirements of the order involve only the plaintiff and defendant or the petitioner and respondent. People who are not named in the case cannot generally be ordered to do anything. If the court determines that…
The language in any contract must be clear and unambiguous, and this standard is true of settlement agreements in divorce proceedings as well. When the terms of an agreement are left open to interpretation, it can lead to issues like contention and litigation. North Carolina Contract Verbiage Requirements Extensive case…