Last year came to an end, but not before Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were able to close the chapter on their formerly wedded life and settle matters associated with their divorce. It is reported that Kardashian and West will share joint custody of their four children – North, 9,…
By Judi Rossabi Divorce can be a heartbreaking experience. Everything changes, and even friends and family share in the ups and downs of a breakup. Back in the ’70s, a hit song by The Bee Gees lamented “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.” The song was a number-one hit…
Colleen Hoover is unstoppable. To say she is a best-selling novelist is an understatement. In 2022, Hoover held six of the top ten spots on The New York Times’ paperback fiction best-seller list. She has sold more than 20 million books. Her social media presence reaches far and wide. She…
Becker Williams, F. Supp. 3d , 2016 WL 878492 (W.D. Wash. 2016) Facts: Husband and wife were married and in 2002, the husband designated the wife as survivor beneficiary of his retirement plans with Xerox. Husband and wife were divorced in 2006. In 2007, the employer received several telephone calls…
Suppose you inherit money from a family member during your marriage. Is your inheritance subject to being divided under North Carolina’s equitable distribution statute? The brief answer: it depends. North Carolina General Statute § 50-20 defines marital property as all real and personal property obtained and currently owned by either…
Can you be awarded alimony when your spouse abuses alcohol to the point that your life has become unbearable? Like all issues in the legal field, it depends. What Does the Law Say? North Carolina General Statute § 50-16.3A states that, upon the court determining that one party is the…
As family law attorneys, we are regularly asked by clients if they can record their spouse. In fact, in some cases, they are asking if we want a copy of the recording that they have already made. Yes, these recordings can possibly prove something was said or not said; there…
Price v. Price, 2022-NCCOA-928 (unpublished). Facts: In April of 2020, Mother filed a motion to modify child support. A hearing on that motion was eventually calendared for November of 2020. In the meantime, Father had fired his attorney. Father did not show up for the modification hearing, and the trial…
BOYLES V. ORRELL, 2022-NCCOA-916 (unpublished). Facts: Mother and Father married in 2014 and separated about four months later. The couple had a daughter together, who is eight years old. The parties entered into a consent custody order and the mother had primary physical custody. In March of 2020, the trial…
Three days after your wedding, it happens: You realize you’ve made a HUGE mistake. No worries, though, you can just get an annulment, right? In North Carolina, maybe not! Unless you fall into a few very specific categories, you are going to have to get a divorce instead. What is…