Dear Carolyn,
I have a case going on with the Guilford County Department of Social Services. The social worker advised me not to get an attorney, and that it would be worse for me if I got an attorney, and that I don’t need one anyway. I feel this was a threat, and that I might lose my child if I get an attorney. Can I get an attorney? Should I get an attorney?
– Feeling Threatened
Dear Carolyn,
I have a sixteen-year-old. What should I be teaching the sixteen-year-old about managing money, retirement, and financial matters? My spouse and I have a difference of opinion on this topic and I want to know your thoughts, Carolyn.
Carolyn Answers….
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
The United States, as a whole, has only allowed same-sex marriage for just over two and a half years. It is law that same-sex couples have the right to marry in the United States of America, but there are some who still struggle with the question of what exactly that entails. Certainly, same-sex couples can be married now, but are they afforded the same rights as heteronormative marriages? Continue reading →
Toni Maurie Gwynn was a 17-month angel who died July 10, 2013 in Eden, North Carolina. She was found suffocated and strapped to a car seat. Apparently, she had not had food or water for many hours.
The latest “who dun it” was resolved last week with her father Antonio Gwynn pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Continue reading →
Dear Carolyn,
I believe I am the Father of a son, but the Mother is married to someone else. I dated Mother while she and her husband were separated, but now they are back together. We had sex during the time we were dating and the child was born 9 months later—perfect timing for the child to be mine. Mother and Mother’s husband will not let me see the child, and quite frankly, hide him from me. I want to see my son. What can I do? I do not have any other children.
~ Bewildered Father Continue reading →
Dear Carolyn,
I have been reading the horrid stories about children being left in hot cars. I also have been troubled by my next door neighbor leaving her seven-year-old son alone this summer while she goes to work. I have seen this mother lock the door when she leaves in the morning with the child apparently inside. I do think the seven-year-old has a cell phone. I don’t like this situation for the seven-year-old who just finished first grade. Is there anything I can do?
~ Danger Lurking Next Door Continue reading →
Dear Carolyn,
I know I should have kept my mouth shut during the divorce, but I didn’t. My daughter-in-law ended up with custody (not that it wasn’t somewhat justified), but now she is taking it out on us and won’t let my husband and I see our own grandchildren. We worked hard and saved all of our lives, and now we have time and enough money for trips to the beach, mountains, even Disney World, and would love to take our grandchildren, but we aren’t even allowed to take them out for ice cream. As grandparents do we have any rights? Continue reading →
Dear Carolyn,
I have a two-year-old and a five-year-old, and I am separated from their Father. I am filing for custody and divorce. I hear I am going to have to go to mediation with the Father, and I really don’t want to see him. I am not exactly afraid of him, but it sure is unpleasant being around him. Do I have to go to mediation, really?
~ Curious Continue reading →
North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Blog