separate property

Five Reasons to Have a Prenuptial Agreement in Charlotte

Published on: September 23, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Five Reasons to Have a Prenuptial Agreement

A prenuptial agreement is a contract that you and your fiancée enter into prior to your marriage. Many people dismiss a prenuptial agreement because they associate it with negative connotations or for other reasons. However, a prenup is a useful agreement that provides clarity and definition on issues for couples before they take their wedding vows. Here are five important reasons to put a prenuptial agreement in place before you get married.

A Prenup Gives Couples Financial Transparency

Asset and Property Division in North Carolina Divorce

Published on: January 15, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Asset and Property Division in North Carolina Divorce

Going through a divorce is not always easy. It can be one of the most stressful times in your life. As you go through the divorce process, you and your spouse will need to discuss how to divide your property. Finances are often the most divisive part of a divorce. Even amicable splits can turn acrimonious when it comes to asset and property division. A knowledgeable divorce attorney will guide you through the divorce process and help make things easier and less stressful.

Types of Property

Separate Property in Divorce in North Carolina

Published on: October 16, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Separate Property in Divorce in North Carolina

Going through a divorce can be a daunting experience, both emotionally and financially. One of the most difficult parts of the process can be dividing your assets. In North Carolina, assets are to be distributed in an equal manner between spouses. While that may sound like an easy thing to do, in practice, dividing property can be quite difficult. One of the first things you will need to do is determine which assets are marital and which are considered separate, or nonmarital.

How Assets are Distributed in a Divorce

How Does Marital Misconduct Affect Divorce?

Published on: March 15, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Does Marital Misconduct Affect Divorce?

The decision to file for divorce is never easy. Sometimes, a marriage does not go as planned, and you and your spouse are no longer able to make your marriage work. You are not alone because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the divorce rate is about 2.5 out of every 1,000 total population. There were more than 689,000 divorces in 2021. In North Carolina, you can obtain a no-fault divorce. This means that you do not need to prove grounds for divorce other than that your marriage is irretrievably broken. But what happens when one spouse has committed some form of marital misconduct?

What is Marital Misconduct?

What Is Equitable Property Division in North Carolina Divorce?

Published on: March 8, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What Is Equitable Property Division in North Carolina Divorce?

When a couple marries, they do not expect that they will get divorced. Unfortunately, many marriages end in divorce. Couples must then divide their property and assets. North Carolina law requires that marital property is divided in an equitable manner in a divorce. This is different from some states that allow for equal distribution. Equitable means that both parties will end up with a fair settlement. An experienced divorce attorney will guide the process and will ensure that you receive a fair distribution.

Marital Property

What Happens to the House in a Divorce?

Published on: February 15, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What Happens to the House in a Divorce?

Your home is one of your most important assets and likely the most significant. When you get married, you may dream of buying your home together. Your house holds many memories for you and your family. Your children may not know any other place to live beside your marital home. But what happens when you and your spouse divorce? Which one of you will be able to keep the house?

Certainly, there are many issues that you and your spouse need to resolve during the divorce process and distributing assets, including how to handle the home. A knowledgeable divorce attorney will help guide the process to ensure that you reach an equal settlement.

Who Will Keep the Family Home in a Divorce?

Published on: December 29, 2021 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: ” Is there some property that the judge cannot divide?”

Your home is your place of comfort and it is where you relax and enjoy life. It is also probably the most expensive asset you own, which can make it an area of contention during a divorce. In North Carolina, property is to be distributed in an equitable manner when a marriage dissolves. You cannot simply split the home in half, so what will happen to it once a divorce is finalized? Even couples who are getting along often find that the home causes some disagreement between parties. An experienced divorce attorney in North Carolina can assist you in resolving disputes and help you obtain an equitable settlement distribution.

Prepping for Property Division in a North Carolina Divorce

Published on: October 6, 2021 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How will the judge divide our property?”

Although there is a degree of nobility involved in pursuing a minimalist lifestyle that attempts to obtain as little debt and unnecessary living items as possible, the reality is that for many Americans, building wealth and accumulating different types of property is a lifelong goal. When two people decide to get married, this decision often results in the combination of wealth and assets as they forge a path together. When the relationship sours and the couple decides to explore divorce, it can call into question what each spouse’s property ownership will look like in the future.

Distributing Property in a North Carolina Divorce

Published on: July 14, 2021 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How will the judge divide our property?”

In North Carolina, residents take pride in their work. The money they earn in exchange for their time and skill allows them to build capital and make purchases and investments that can greatly enhance their quality of life, as well as that of their families. When couples decide to marry, joining finances allows them to build wealth on a greater scale. However, when these couples elect to file for divorce, questions about this wealth are certain to arise.

What Happens to My Bank Account After Divorce?

Published on: March 20, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How will the judge divide our property?”

It is not uncommon for couples who get married to have a joint bank account. A joint bank account makes paying for shared expenses easier than having to go through two separate accounts. What happens to the funds in this account, however, in the event that a couple gets divorced? When a couple files for divorce, a judge will need to examine the money in the account to determine if it is joint property or the property of the individual.