Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog

Child Custody Case: Tips for Success

Published on: February 11, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Child Custody Case: Tips for Success

Child custody is often one of the most significant disputes that takes place during or following divorce. North Carolina courts typically presume that both parents are equally able to care for their children and may allow joint or shared legal and physical custody. Shared parenting is often the best solution, but there are times when one parent seeks full custody. This may lead to an ugly court battle where both parents wish to control custody of their child. When a custody dispute occurs, it is essential to understand your rights as well as options for how to proceed with the case. This is likely an emotional time, and it is helpful to seek guidance from an experienced attorney.

Maintain Visitation

Relocating With Your Child After Divorce

Published on: February 4, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Relocating With Your Child After Divorce

Moving to a new state is something that may be an opportunity after divorce. It is estimated that every year about 8 million people relocate to a different state. If you are a parent, you need to know the process for seeking relocation with your child. There are legal steps you must take in order to relocate out of state with your child after divorce. If you ignore the rules, you could face penalties, including the possibility of criminal charges. It is helpful to know what you need to do to relocate with your child.

How Custody Impacts Relocation Requests

Divorce From Bed and Board: What You Need to Know

Published on: January 28, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Divorce From Bed and Board: What You Need to Know

When you get married, you do not expect it to end in divorce. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen, and you need to end your union. In North Carolina, there are two types of divorce: absolute divorce and divorce from bed and board. Absolute divorce is a typical divorce that ends the marriage. Divorce from bed and board is not the same. It is more similar to a legal separation. Before you determine how to proceed with your decision to end your union, you will want to understand what divorce from bed and board means.

What is Divorce From Bed and Board?

Should I Be the First Spouse to File for Divorce?

Published on: January 22, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Should I Be the First Spouse to File for Divorce?

The decision to divorce isn’t always an easy one. Couples often take time to try to resolve their differences before they choose to end their marriage. North Carolina has “no-fault” divorce. This means that the couple has irreconcilable differences and that neither party is to blame for the divorce. There are specific requirements necessary for couples to seek an absolute divorce in North Carolina. A knowledgeable family law attorney will help guide you through the process to make it as stress-free as possible.

Divorce Requirements in North Carolina

How to Respond After Your Spouse Files for Divorce in North Carolina

Published on: January 14, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How to Respond After Your Spouse Files for Divorce in North Carolina

You just found out that your spouse is filing for divorce in North Carolina. How do you respond? For some spouses, this news comes completely out of the blue. Others might have seen this coming. Whatever the case may be, most spouses have little legal experience, and they may be unsure about the next steps. Once you connect with a family law attorney in North Carolina, these next steps should make more sense. Aside from simply responding to the divorce papers, there are many other things you can do to give yourself an advantage.

Respond to the Divorce Filing

Divorce Requests Spike After the Holidays

Published on: January 7, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Divorce Requests Spike After the Holidays

January is sometimes called “divorce month” because of a spike in divorce requests. Many people may put their relationship issues on hold during the busy holiday season and decide to move forward with a divorce after December. The busy family time during the holidays makes it difficult to focus on major family decisions and changes. After the holidays, people have time to reflect on their lives and create a plan to move forward in the coming year.

Why Wait Until the New Year?

What is No-Fault Divorce in North Carolina?

Published on: December 31, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is No-Fault Divorce in North Carolina?

The decision to end your marriage is often a difficult one. It is a choice that likely comes with a great deal of emotional pain. When you know that your marriage is over, you will need to take steps to dissolve the union. North Carolina law allows for a no-fault divorce. This is probably the easiest and least stressful option for most couples. An experienced North Carolina divorce attorney will provide you with the guidance and expertise to help make the experience as easy as possible.

What Does No-Fault Mean?

Tips and Tools for Better Co-Parenting After Divorce

Published on: December 24, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Tips and Tools for Better Co-Parenting After Divorce

When parents divorce, it causes inevitable changes to the family dynamic. Parents need to learn how to work together to provide the best parenting they can for their children, both during the separation period and after the divorce is final. Parents must find ways to unite to help their children adjust to the new normal and thrive as they grow. You can successfully co-parent with some useful tips and resources.

Co-Parenting Strategies

What is a Contested Divorce?

Published on: December 17, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is a Contested Divorce?

The decision to end your marriage can be one of the most difficult things in your life. When you feel that your marriage is no longer viable and you can’t continue the relationship, it may be time to move on. Once you decide to divorce, you and your spouse need to resolve matters pertaining to the settlement. This includes dividing property and handling issues of child custody and more. There are times when couples do not agree on the settlement terms, which can create contention.

Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce

Who Gets the Kids on Christmas Morning?

Published on: December 16, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Who Gets the Kids on Christmas Morning?

The holidays are supposed to be magical, especially for kids. However, for separated or divorced parents in North Carolina, Christmas can bring unexpected stress, confusion, and conflict.

Most custody orders don’t spell out every holiday detail, and when December arrives, parents often find themselves asking questions no one warned them about: