North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Blog

Articles Posted in Custody

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In any divorce, custody cases can be extremely complicated. While we want to believe that most parents can amicably work out an agreement that is best for the children, the reality is that there are often long and drawn-out custody battles that can exhaust the entire family. Under North Carolina law, child custody orders can be modified in two basic circumstances: when one of the parents has violated a court order, or when one or both parents allege a substantial change in circumstances. Continue reading →

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What would happen if you would like to move with your child, and the move would affect the current child custody agreement? Of if the other parent wants to move out of state? It is important in either of these situations to speak to a qualified North Carolina custody attorney. At the Woodruff Family Law Group, we have successfully resolved many cases for parents who have sought to relocate with their children or parents who have opposed a move. We understand how emotionally charged relocation cases can be, which is why you can expect the utmost compassion from our entire team. Continue reading →

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By Kristina Pisano, Blog Writer, Woodruff Family Law Group
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The kids are starting to get antsy. All the final tests in school are coming to an end, and they have checked out for the year. You know what will be coming next: summer break! Last summer your kids always complained that they were bored, or they spent way too much time on their electronic devices. This summer, plan ahead and make it a fun and enjoyable time for both you and your kids. Continue reading →

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By Tina Ray, Legal Assistant, Woodruff Family Law Group
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It’s the telephone call that you hope you never get. “Get to the hospital now!  There’s been a terrible accident!”  May 17th, 2011, was the day that happened.  You go into panic mode.  Your heart starts racing, your thoughts are jumbled.  You have to remember how to drive, how to get to the hospital.  When I finally got there and walked into the Family Consult room, I saw my husband there in tears, inconsolable with a doctor and a nurse, by himself hearing the worst news he’s ever heard.  His son, my stepson, wasn’t going to make it.  What do you say, what do you do?  It all started out as a normal Tuesday in Greensboro, NC.  Suddenly, our lives were turned upside down. Continue reading →

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By Kristina Pisano, Blog Writer, Woodruff Family Law Group
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On Thursday, May 5, I graduate from the University of North Carolina Greensboro! I am so excited and can’t wait for my close friends and family to watch as I finally get my bachelor’s degree. In the midst of all the graduation excitement, a friend of mine who is also graduating is dreading it. I know it sounds crazy, but, while she is thrilled to be getting her degree, she, unfortunately, has to deal with “the parent drama,” as she puts it. Her parents divorced when she was three years old, and ever since then, every birthday party, dance recital, big or small celebration there is always drama between her mom and dad. Continue reading →

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by Carolyn J. Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA, North Carolina Family Law Specialist
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Emergency Custody in North Carolina is a tough topic. Under North Carolina law, there are really two times that the court can consider switching custody on an ex parte (hearing from one side only).  Continue reading →

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By Tina Ray, Legal Assistant, Woodruff Family Law Group
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“Mom, can I have the iPad?” “Dad, can I play on your phone?”  How many times a day do you hear that?  If you have kids, you’ve probably heard those exact words.  My grandson loves to come home with me.  Why? To play games on my phone. As you can imagine, I really feel loved.  Don’t get me wrong, when you’re having a conversation with someone, or driving, it can be very helpful to have the cell phone or iPad babysitter.  But, sometimes parents and grandparents let it go too far. Continue reading →

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By Dana Horlick, Attorney, Woodruff Family Law Group
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Most separated couples probably do not think about complex jurisdictional issues when they are deciding child custody issues. Maybe the schedule is one week on, one week off, with the parents alternating weeks wherein they have sole physical custody of the child for a particular week. Maybe one parent has to move cross-country for a job opportunity, so instead the schedule is split around school with the child living with one parent during the school year and the other on summer vacation. These seem to make sense, dividing the custody of the child in the way that allows both biological parents to take an active role in raising their child. When the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Treaty is involved with parents in different countries, the issues become very complex very fast. Continue reading →

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By Carolyn Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA
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My husband Dwight prides himself on liking sappy Christmas movies, and he rents a lot of them. Ho-hum, I thought, but I was pleasantly surprised by the many social messages in Paper Angel.  The movie starts with Mom (Lynn Brandt) moving far away from Dad with her two children—Sara and Thomas. Sara is younger than Thomas. While the movie doesn’t illustrate domestic violence, Mom has a black eye, and you know what happened.  Dad loves nothing but his beer and his sports on television, and while Dad is oblivious to everyone and everything that his narcissistic soul in not entrenched in, Mom quietly gets the two children in the car and escapes with them without any of their belongings.  Mom was right to leave. Continue reading →