Divorce

Uncoupling After Cohabitation

Published on: May 8, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Uncoupling After Cohabitation

Many couples make the decision to live together. Whether they plan to marry in the future or simply want to enjoy a relationship without the commitment of marriage, living together is a common occurrence. While living together can be joyful, it can make parting ways more difficult. Unlike married couples who divorce, the law does not have a specific process in place for those who live together. In fact, cohabitation is illegal in North Carolina, although it is not something that is prosecuted. Therefore, couples need to understand how to divide their assets and property if they decide to end their relationship.

Property Division

Overnight Guests for Parents After Divorce

Published on: May 1, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Overnight Guests for Parents After Divorce

Child custody and visitation matters are of top priority for parents when they divorce. There are many issues that are of concern. After divorce, parents must abide by the legal court order put in place. In many cases, one parent has primary physical custody while the other parent has regular visitation. Parents often wonder whether they are allowed to have overnight, romantic guests when their child is in their care. The answer may depend on the specific details included in the court order.

Is There a Restriction for Overnight Guests?

Divorce Settlements in North Carolina

Published on: April 17, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Divorce Settlements in North Carolina

Divorce is known as absolute divorce in North Carolina. Couples who wish to end their marriages must live apart for a period of at least one year prior to the divorce. While couples need to iron out quite a few details, some of the most contentious issues revolve around the distribution of property. North Carolina provides for an equal distribution of marital property, which means that both parties should end up with an equitable portion of their wealth and assets.

Distribution of Finances

Parenting Styles and How They Affect Co-Parenting After Divorce

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

Parenting Styles and How They Affect Co-Parenting After Divorce

Parenting after divorce can be challenging. Parents are often expected to co-parent even when they have an acrimonious relationship. Parents each have the same rights and responsibilities after they divorce. They must provide for their children’s needs and they each can spend time with their children. Sometimes, different parenting styles can make it hard to provide a stable environment for your kids.

https://youtu.be/h0_Z8oEDJf0?si=T86Wn18Dz86JwHax

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?

What is Walkaway Wife Syndrome?

Published on: March 27, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is Walkaway Wife Syndrome?

Most times, when a marriage begins to deteriorate, both people are aware of the situation and may take steps to save their union. Sometimes, however, this does not happen. In some cases, one party, often the wife, decides to leave the marriage without even discussing it with her partner. Statistically, the wife is more often the one to initiate divorce. Relationship experts call this phenomenon the “walkaway wife syndrome.”

What is Walkaway Wife Syndrome?

What to Know About Divorce in North Carolina

Published on: March 6, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What to Know About Divorce in North Carolina

When you get married you never think you will get a divorce. Yet, sometimes divorce happens. If you and your spouse are no longer able to remain together, you will need to consider ending your union. There is some basic information that you need to know as you begin the divorce process. An experienced divorce attorney will help you through the process and provide you the guidance you need to get through this stressful time.

A Couple Must Live Apart for a Year

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

Types of Marital Contracts

Published on: February 21, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Types of Marital Contracts

Whether you are planning your marriage or have made the decision to separate and divorce, you need to put the terms into a formal agreement. Marital agreements are contracts between a married couple. In North Carolina, there are four main types of marital agreements or contracts. These include prenuptial, postnuptial, separation, and settlement agreements. Each type of agreement has a specific use and is best made with help from a knowledgeable family law attorney.

Prenuptial Agreement

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?