When you have a child with someone in North Carolina outside of marriage, you need to establish paternity if you want certain things to take place. Establishing paternity gives you a chance to either seek child support from your child’s other parent or pursue custody...
Family Law
What grounds do you need for an emergency custody order?
When you have a child custody order in place in North Carolina, you typically need to stick to the terms of the order unless one of you asks for, and receives, approval to modify the order. Yet, in some cases, such as when your child’s health or safety may be at risk,...
How can a prenuptial agreement help your relationship?
For many prior generations, prenuptial agreements had a bad reputation. In recent years, more couples than ever have come to appreciate the benefits of these documents. When you start planning your wedding, you should talk with your partner about drafting a prenuptial...
How long do I have to pay alimony in North Carolina?
Part of your upcoming divorce settlement may require you to pay your spouse a support amount. It is natural to wonder how long you will have to pay alimony. Each state has its standards for establishing spousal support, and North Carolina is no exception. As The North...
Should your custody agreement have a refusal clause?
For decades, child psychologists have recognized the many benefits of implementing joint-custody arrangements after divorce. According to Psychology Today, though, these arrangements work best when both parents have the same or similar parenting styles. Luckily, even...
Reasons to request a child support modification
Child support orders are open for modification. In North Carolina, you must meet certain requirements to receive approval, including having an acceptable reason for your request. Court standards The court's standard for any decision regarding children is the child's...
Who should avoid shared custody?
Shared custody has gained much acclaim over the years due to studies that have expressed the benefits it could have for children. However, it is not a perfect fit for every family. In fact, in some families, shared custody might do more harm than good. Who should...
Should you try getting sole custody of your children?
Wanting your children with you full-time is not enough for the North Carolina courts to grant you full custody. You will need a valid reason for petitioning officials to give you primary care of your children. Knowing under what circumstances you have a reasonable...
How you can protect your retirement assets in a divorce
When a divorce becomes necessary, you must confront the reality that you might lose important things in the split. Your future, your finances, and even your retirement plans might undergo drastic changes in the wake of your divorce. Asset division is a major part of...
3 marital problems that can lead to divorce
Every couple experiences at least some marital problems. Some couples are able to resolve their problems and restore their relationships. For other couples, the problems put pressure on the relationship that eventually tears apart the marriage. Newsweek describes...