(a) Facts: A husband and wife divorced in 2006. The decree permitted the husband to take the dependency exemption for the child in odd-numbered years provided that he paid all court-ordered support.
Divorce is difficult for families, so it’s especially important for dads and teens to enjoy time together to rebuild their bonds. One of the best ways to do this is by taking advantage of some local activities in North Carolina this summer. Whether you’re looking for a way to spice up your weekend visitations or want a mid-week escape from the ordinary, these five activities are sure to please even the pickiest teens. Continue reading →
In a recent unpublished opinion of a North Carolina child support decision, a court considered a child support order involving a mother who was voluntarily unemployed. The father had appealed from the lower court’s child support order claiming that the lower court had made a mistake in concluding as a matter of law that only the defendant father owed the obligation to give support to the couple’s minor children and by failing to impute income to the mother who was voluntarily unemployed. Continue reading →
My ex and I share the children fifty-fifty. We have three children. I make approximately $25,000 more than the other parent. I pay child support even though I have them half the time. Our child support order says nothing about who gets the dependency exemptions, and I get in a fight with my ex every year over the dependency exemptions. Who should get the three dependency exemptions?
Dear Carolyn,
It is tax time. I am divorced and have two children. I pay $2000 per month in child support, and my ex (the mother) doesn’t even work. She will not give me the dependency exemptions for the children. The judge didn’t give them to me either. They live with her and I visit every other weekend and half the holidays. I am paying for the children, so why can’t I have the tax benefit?
Perturbed
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 with me. Can I make him pay for at least part of the prom dress? What can I do? These dresses are expensive.
Prom Dress Poor
At the heart of many family law related disputes lie arguably the most difficult decisions regarding the children and their futures. At times it may seem unlikely that individuals in the midst of a divorce will ever agree on anything; fortunately, ensuring that any children involved receive a quality education is usually a top priority for everyone. Setting aside differences for what is in the children’s best interest saves not only time but may also preserve important financial resources that may be reallocated to ensuring the children’s futures are preserved. Continue reading →
Dear Carolyn,
My daughter just graduated from high school, and she is college bound. Her father and I divorced three years ago. Her father paid child support, but I understand child support is ending now as she is already 18. I thought her father would surely pay (or at least help) with college, and he told me last night that he was not helping with college. What can I do? Our divorce agreement says NOTHING about college.
~ College Help Needed
North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Blog