Child Custody

Understanding Primary and Secondary Custody in North Carolina

Published on: July 10, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Understanding Primary and Secondary Custody in North Carolina

When parents divorce, they are both typically allowed to make legal decisions regarding their children. This is called legal custody. Physical custody is a little more complicated. North Carolina does not define joint custody or shared custody. One parent is given primary custody, while the other is given secondary custody. The child resides primarily with one parent, and the other parent has regular visits.

https://youtu.be/sVNdhPd_5I8

Grandparent Visitation in North Carolina

Published on: June 19, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Grandparent Visitation in North Carolina

Grandparents play a special role in the lives of their grandchildren. Children have special memories of their grandparents that last a lifetime. The love and care of a grandparent cannot be replaced. Grandparents form unique bonds with their grandchildren that are essential to kids. While most grandparents are able to see their grandchildren on a regular basis, there are times when a grandparent may be denied visitation. Many people wonder whether grandparents have visitation rights in North Carolina.

Do Grandparents Have Rights?

Summer Co-Parenting Tips for Divorced Parents

Published on: June 5, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Summer Co-Parenting Tips for Divorced Parents

Summer is a fun time for kids, but it can be stressful for parents. The daily routine changes and that can leave families feeling off-kilter. You want to make sure that your kids have a great summer, and at the same time, you still want to have control over the schedule. Here are some tips for co-parenting that can help you get through summer vacation.

https://youtu.be/iEvYXykifbE?si=zbu91IElgtVsMFmQ

How is Child Custody Determined in North Carolina?

Published on: May 22, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How is Child Custody Determined in North Carolina?

When parents divorce, many of their main concerns are for their children. In general, North Carolina provides for both parents to have time with their children. Parents sometimes disagree about child custody matters. There are two types of child custody, including legal and physical. Legal custody is the ability of a parent to make decisions on behalf of their kids such as those regarding education, religion, and health matters, for example. Physical custody refers to where a child resides.

What are the Custody Rights of Parents?

What Can I Do if My Former Spouse Does Not Follow the Child Custody Order?

Published on: April 24, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What Can I Do if My Former Spouse Does Not Follow the Child Custody Order?

Not all divorces are amicable. Some of the most contentious areas of divorce are those that revolve around the children. Child custody matters can be quite difficult to live with after divorce. Once the judge puts a custody order in place, both parents must abide by it. Sometimes, a parent does not follow custody or visitation orders. When this happens, it can be frustrating for everyone involved. If your former spouse violates a child custody order, do not take matters into your own hands. Call an experienced family law attorney to help guide you through the proper legal process.

What are Violations of a Custody or Visitation Order?

Can a Child Choose Which Parent They Want to Live With After Divorce?

Published on: April 3, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Can a Child Choose Which Parent They Want to Live With After Divorce?

When parents decide to divorce, one of the most difficult decisions they need to make is where the children will reside. In North Carolina, both parents have rights and responsibilities when it comes to their children. Generally, children reside primarily with one parent while the other parent has regular visits. Many people wonder whether a child has any say-so as to which parent they will live with after the divorce.

How Does a Judge Decide Where a Child Should Live?

Remarriage and Child Support in North Carolina

Published on: February 28, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Remarriage and Child Support in North Carolina

When parents divorce, the children often reside primarily with one parent while the other parent has regular visitation. This arrangement is common because although both parents are allowed to make legal decisions for their children, it usually makes more sense for a child to live with one parent most of the time. The non-custodial parent typically pays child support. As divorced parents move on with their lives, they are likely to date and eventually remarry. Many people wonder how remarriage impacts child support in North Carolina.

Child Support Orders

Child Abandonment in North Carolina

Published on: February 14, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Child Abandonment in North Carolina

About 18.3 million children are living in families without their fathers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That equates to about one in four children in the United States. Most often, it is a father who abandons a child, but a child could also be abandoned by a mother. Abandonment can occur in cases where parents are married, separated, divorced, or unmarried.

What is Child Abandonment?

Who Keeps the Dog in a Divorce?

Published on: January 3, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Who Keeps the Dog in a Divorce?

Your pets are part of your family. Often, couples have pets before they have children, and sometimes they have pets instead of kids. Most households own some type of pet. In fact, pet ownership has increased significantly over the last 30 years. As of 2023, about 66% of households in the United States are home to a pet. That equates to about almost 90 million homes. When couples divorce, they need to decide which one will keep the family pet.

Pets are Property

Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With After a Divorce?

Published on: December 13, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With After a Divorce?

Divorce can create a difficult situation for families. Generally, parents both have legal custody of their children and can make important decisions regarding their health, education, and more. Typically, a child will reside with one parent and have regular visitation with the other. The parent where the child resides is often called the primary custodial parent. Many parents wonder whether their child is allowed to choose which parent they wish to live with when they get divorced.

Where Will a Child Reside After Divorce?