Dear Carolyn, Did I walk in a landmine or what? I married the most wonderful man, but his daughter who lives with us half of the time is a nightmare. She is disrespectful and disruptive. She will not clean up after herself. She is always texting on her phone and…
Articles Posted in children
Bullied by Social Services
Dear Carolyn, I have a case going on with the Guilford County Department of Social Services. The social worker advised me not to get an attorney, and that it would be worse for me if I got an attorney, and that I don’t need one anyway. I feel this was…
Ask Carolyn: What should I teach my teenager about finances?
Dear Carolyn, I have a sixteen-year-old. What should I be teaching the sixteen-year-old about managing money, retirement, and financial matters? My spouse and I have a difference of opinion on this topic and I want to know your thoughts, Carolyn. Carolyn Answers…. I favor training teens in financial matters. …
Coparenting with a Narcissist
Dear Carolyn, I have tried co-parenting our seven and eleven-year-old, and it is just not working. My psychologist says my ex is probably a narcissist. Every time I try to talk with him or even text him, he turns the discussion into something else. He seems to have no concept…
Internet Addiction in Teens
Dear Readers, Internet addiction is here and is real! I would like to hear from you on this topic. Do you know that a Kaiser Family Foundation study showed that two-thirds of parents have no rules on internet use, particularly internet use unrelated to homework and research? Today’s second Ask…
Homework, Haircuts, and Tattoos: Co-Parenting Compromises
Dear Carolyn, I share custody of our son with my ex-husband. Another school year is about the begin. I dread the issues with homework. As my son gets older and homework gets more important, there has to be something we can do as parents to make sure homework is both…
5 Apps for Divorced Parents
Venn Crawford, non-attorney Marketing AssistantDivorce and its aftermath can be (and usually are) chaotic. Having kids and keeping track of all their things was tough enough, and now you have to coordinate your parenting with someone you may not even want to talk to, much less strategize with. And on top of it all,…
Work/Life Balance (If there is such a thing…)
Jessica Bullock, J.D.Whether you are a working parent or stay-at-home mom or dad, each role comes with a huge set of responsibilities. Being a family lawyer, I can only offer one perspective centered around achieving that work/family balance everyone always talks about. I’m not sure the perfect balance exists and have quickly…
Does My Ex Have to Help Pay for Our Daughter’s Prom Dress?
Dear Carolyn, Prom is coming up, and my daughter is a senior. I want her to have a nice dress for prom, but her father will not help pay for the dress. I receive $622 per month child support pursuant to a child support order, and our daughter lives mostly…
The Rights of Same-Sex Couples: Adoption
Joshua Chilton, Legal AssistantThe United States, as a whole, has only allowed same-sex marriage for just over two and a half years. It is law that same-sex couples have the right to marry in the United States of America, but there are some who still struggle with the question of what exactly that…