Separation agreements can be valuable tools during the divorce process if drafted and used correctly. It is easy for divorcing spouses to let emotions cloud their judgment during the litigation period, and a separation agreement can provide them with a set of guidelines to lower instances of disagreement and conflict. Continue reading →
Divorce is often an emotionally and financially draining experience. For spouses who spent all or part of their marriage economically dependent on their wife or husband, the monetary toll is unlikely to end after the divorce is finalized. Alimony is intended to lessen this financial impact and allow each spouse to maintain a standard of living similar to what they experienced during their marriage.
But how do courts decide when alimony should be awarded, and what are the factors that influence the amount and duration of support? Continue reading →
An award of child support is intended to balance the financial contribution of the custodial and non-custodial parents, but biological parentage is not required to receive child support. North Carolina child support law allows any person providing care for a minor child who is living in their home to receive support[1]. Parents must provide support for their children unless their rights have been terminated, and non-parents are only responsible for paying child support in limited circumstances.
If a child support order already exists, you can request that it be changed. However, you must be prepared to show that your modification request is justified.
Filing for child custody in North Carolina is dictated by numerous state and federal laws, one of which is the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). Working with a Greensboro divorce lawyer ensures the custody process is completed correctly. However, if you are looking for general information so you can make an informed decision about representation, the information below will help you understand the UCCJEA and how it may affect your custody arrangement. Continue reading →
Military families face challenges that civilian-only families do not, and navigating family law matters is especially difficult when servicemembers are involved. How do North Carolina courts determine child custody when deployment is a possibility? It depends heavily on the individual circumstances, but here is a brief overview of relevant guidelines. Continue reading →
Child custody is often a highly contentious topic in family law because of both parents’ and guardians’ strong desires to spend as much time as possible with their child. If you currently have a permanent custody order in place, you may be able to have it amended. However, while it is possible for custody orders to be changed by the court, it is not something you can request on a whim; you must adhere to strict legal requirements.
Permanent custody orders require two elements in order for there to be a valid reason to amend them, which are:
Child support is an important aspect of providing for the needs of a child after a separation or divorce. It is essential for both parents to contribute to the financial needs of the child, and the state of North Carolina has established guidelines for determining the amount of child support to be paid. The calculation of child support is based on several factors, chief among them is the parent’s income, earnings, and relative ability to pay. Continue reading →
Lukas Gage, an up-and-coming actor, and Chris Appleton, a renowned hairstylist, recently tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Las Vegas. The couple, who have been together for several years, exchanged vows in front of close family and friends, including celebrity guests Kim Kardashian and Shania Twain.
The ceremony took place at the famous Little White Wedding Chapel, which has been the site of many celebrity weddings over the years. Kardashian, who is a close friend of the couple, officiated the wedding and shared photos and videos of the special day on social media. Continue reading →
In most cases here in North Carolina, child support has been reduced to an equation based upon guidelines that have been approved by the state. It is much like filing taxes—there are inputs for each parent’s income, the number of children, and the custodial schedule. Schedules are then used to determine the obligation for support. There may be certain line items that add or subtract from one parent’s obligation. In some circumstances, the court (or a parent) may see fit to depart from the guidelines, in which case a separate set of standards is used to calculate support; this is called deviation. In these cases, the actual expenses for the children are factors in determining the support obligation. Actual expenses are not typically part of the formula in guideline cases. However, there exists one category in the guidelines that does account for expenses. It is called extraordinary expenses. Continue reading →
Kelly Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter, and talk show host who has been in the music industry for over two decades. Her powerful voice and relatable lyrics have won the hearts of millions of fans around the world. Recently, she released a new song called “Me,” which addresses her split from her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
Clarkson and Blackstock were married for seven years, and during that time they had two children together. However, in 2020, Clarkson filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce has been a topic of discussion in the media, and Clarkson has been open about the challenges of going through a divorce. Continue reading →
North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Blog