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Civil Contempt and Child Custody

In Chica v. Chica, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, in an unpublished opinion, reviewed Plaintiff Father’s appeal of the trial court’s December 6, 2018 Order finding him in civil contempt and establishing purge conditions. Plaintiff Father also appealed the trial court’s April 2019 Order denying, in part, Plaintiff’s Motion…

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Love in the Time of Covid-19

Covid-19 and its accompanying social distancing have been hard on everyone’s dating life. Restaurants have decreased capacity, and some are not accepting in-house dining at all. Bars close early. And masks, while necessary for health, make it hard to read how your date is going. A lot of people are…

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Child Custody and Excusable Neglect

In Price v. Boccardy, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, in an unpublished opinion, reviewed Defendant’s appeal from the trial court’s order denying Defendant’s Rule 60(b) motion to set aside a final custody order. Price v. Boccardy,  COA20-127 (N.C. App 2020). Facts:  Plaintiff and Defendant were the parents of a minor…

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Decision-Making in Child Custody

Ward v. Halprin, ___ N.C. App. ____. Child custody has the potential to be heavily contested. In some cases, one parent wants to be able to have sole decision-making authority. In North Carolina, the ability to make these decisions is termed “legal custody.” Courts often grant parents joint legal custody.…

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Guardianship of Minors in North Carolina

In the Matter of R.D.B., A Minor Child (No. COA19-1019)   Many children in Guilford County have guardians appointed by the court for a variety of reasons. A child who no longer has any living biological parents is a common example of when a court will appoint an adult to…

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DVPOs and Claimant Credibility

In Reece v. Holt, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, in an unpublished opinion, reviewed N.C.G.S. Chapter 50 for child custody and subject matter jurisdiction. Plaintiff Father claimed that an ex parte order established a “presumption” supporting a claim for domestic violence under N.C.G.S. § 50B. This article will focus…

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COVID Vaccines and Child Custody – Who Decides?

The recent rollouts of the COVID-19 vaccines have revealed differences of opinion as to who will and who will not take the vaccine. When you are separated or divorced, who decides for the children? North Carolina General Statutes 130A-156 and 130A-157 permit parents to exempt their children from vaccinations for…

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Boarding Schools, Private Schools, Prep Academies and Child Support

Koufman v. Koufman, 330 N.C. 93, 408 S.E.2d 729 (NC 1991)   Child support orders are modifiable in North Carolina when there is a substantial change in circumstances. But what happens when your child moves to a school away from home, such as a boarding school or preparatory academy? These…

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When Stock Options Are Not Stock Options

Ubertaccio v. Ubertaccio, 588 S.E.2d 905 (N.C. App. 2003) (Levinson, J. concurring)   In North Carolina, Equitable Distribution (ED) is one of the common mechanisms by which former spouses divide their personal and real property. Stock options and salary substitutions acquired by a party are typically subject to ED. However,…

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Termination of Child Support Obligation

When does your obligation to pay court-ordered child support payments stop? Like most issues in the legal field, it depends. North Carolina General Statute § 50-13.4(c)(1-3) states that payments ordered for child support shall terminate when the child turns 18 except when (1) the child is emancipated, at which time…

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