In North Carolina, parties to a case may be able to file an appeal if they believe the trial court made a mistake of law or legal procedure.[1] Appeals courts analyze decisions by the trial courts to determine if the law was applied appropriately and to ensure there were no…
As technology advances, so do the challenges surrounding digital privacy and security. In family law cases, the use of smartphones has become central to gathering evidence and establishing facts. However, the emergence of spyware, trackers, and new devices like AirTags has raised concerns about the potential invasion of privacy. This…
In today’s digital age, smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. They store a wealth of information that can be vital in legal proceedings such as family law cases. By harnessing the power of forensic analysis, hidden data on smartphones can be uncovered, shedding light on crucial evidence…
Property ownership is a crucial aspect of real estate transactions, legal matters, and research projects. When it comes to finding deeds and other property-related information in Guilford County, the GIS website (https://gisdv.guilfordcountync.gov/guilford/) is a valuable resource. This blog will guide you through the process of effectively utilizing the website to…
The digital age has greatly increased the amount of information we generate and store. Metadata is a set of data that describes and gives information about other data. Metadata holds immense potential in various fields, including family law. Leveraging metadata in family law cases can provide crucial insights and evidence…
Property division can be one of the most contentious parts of a divorce. Further complicating this process is the fact that courts must determine not just how marital property should be divided but even what qualifies as marital property. Equitable distribution is an option in North Carolina divorces, but the…
If you are a victim of domestic violence in North Carolina, you may be able to file for a protective order. Domestic violence protective orders (DVPO; also called 50B orders) are court orders that prohibit an abuser from being near a victim. DVPOs provide a certain level of security if…
In a significant move that has been years in the making, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a measure that will bring about significant changes to the state’s alimony laws. The newly approved measure, known as SB 1416, eliminates permanent alimony and introduces a formula-based approach to determine alimony amounts…
PAYIN V. FOY, 2023-NCCOA-______ (2023) A civil lawsuit commences with the filing of a complaint with the court. That is the law in North Carolina. I recall in my first year of law school that my civil procedure professor stressed – and I mean really stressed – the importance of…
JOHNSON V. LAWING, 2023-NCCOA-______ (2023) When a minor child in the middle of a custody case attends therapy, sometimes those treatment records contain relevant and important facts that may aid a court in making a custody determination. However, not every case in which the child attends therapy means that the…