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:
Divorce When One Spouse is in the Military
Divorce can be a difficult and daunting experience, but it can be even more complicated when one or both spouses are in the military. Those in the military generally move around quite often and therefore need to know the rules and laws and how they apply specifically to military families. Military spouses need to know the residency requirements and other rules that apply to divorce. A knowledgeable divorce attorney will help guide you through the divorce process.
Residency Requirements
What is the Holiday Pause?
The holidays are the time for family get-togethers and parties. It is a season of joy and expectation, especially for children. Many couples who are considering divorce decide to put their relationship issues on hold until after December. This period is often called the holiday pause. It simply means that you are waiting until the new year to make important decisions or critical changes. Is the holiday pause necessary, and if so, what can you do to make this time better and easier?
Why Wait Until After the Holidays?
How Can I Get Temporary Child Support in North Carolina?
As a parent, when you and your spouse separate and intend to divorce, you need to make sure that your children have the funds necessary for their continuing care. In North Carolina, spouses must live apart for a period of at least one year before they can get divorced. Once the divorce is complete, children typically reside primarily with one parent while the other provides child support payments. Parents need to consider how they will handle their children’s expenses during the separation period.
What is Temporary Child Support?
Five Tips for Co-Parenting Through the Holidays
The holiday season is one of joy and celebration, especially for children. You want to do everything you can to make the holidays fun and memorable. Now is the time to put aside your problems and take steps to improve your co-parenting skills. As you approach the season, here are five tips for better and more successful co-parenting.
Call a Truce
What are the 3 Cs of Divorce?
Every year, more than half a million divorces occur in the United States. While you begin your marriage believing it will last forever, that is not always the case. Divorce is one of the most stressful events you will experience in your life. It can be even more difficult for you and your family when the situation is contentious. There are some things you can do to make divorce easier and less challenging. If you follow the 3 Cs, you can help resolve your divorce more quickly and with less acrimony.
Communication
Avoid These Five Separation Mistakes
When you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, the first step in North Carolina is to separate. You must live apart from each other for a year before you can get a divorce. You do not need to have a legal separation, but it can be beneficial to have a legal document that guides your separation. A knowledgeable divorce attorney will answer your questions and help you through the separation and divorce.
Moving Out Without a Separation Agreement
What Happens to the Family Business in a North Carolina Divorce?
Divorce can be difficult, but when a couple owns a business, the split-up can make the situation much more complicated. You and your spouse may have worked for years or even decades to develop and grow your family business. With a divorce on the horizon, you need to know what will become of the company. How will the company be divided if you and your spouse end your marriage? A knowledgeable divorce attorney will help guide you through the process.
Distribution of Assets in North Carolina
Arnold & Smith, PLLC Wins Gold — Charlotte’s Best in Family Law 2025For the third year in a row, our firm has been awarded Gold in Family Law—a rare and remarkable achievement. This recognition underscores our continued leadership in family law across the Charlotte region.
Family law clients often face situations involving:
What is a Trial Separation?
When couples get married, they dream of happily ever after. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. There are bumps in the road for most marriages, and spouses need to learn how to navigate them. Sometimes, partners need to take some time away from each other to try to work through their differences and decide whether to stay married or end their union. If you are looking for a temporary situation, a trial separation may be an option. It is helpful to understand how a trial separation works and how you move forward.
A Trial Separation is Not a Legal Separation
Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog
