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The simple answer is yes; the paternity of a child must be established to request child support. Beyond child support, establishing a legal father for the child also provides other potential benefits for the child, including entitlement to Social Security, death, insurance, and military benefits—...

If you're going through a divorce in North Carolina and you were a "dependent spouse" (meaning your wife or husband was the primary breadwinner in the marriage), you may be wondering what to expect concerning alimony payments. This can be a particular point of stress for both spouses because there's really no way to know for sure how much alimony will be awarded until the judge makes a determination.

After a divorce, you may want to change your child’s last name for many reasons, including wanting to share your child’s last name. No matter the reason, the decision to change a child’s surname should not be taken lightly, as a name can be intricately tied to one’s identity. That said, if you want to move forward, North Carolina law paves the way.

Divorce is one of the most stressful things you can experience as an adult or child. If you’ve gone through a custody dispute, the situation can be even more emotionally fraught. But now that you’ve won custody of your child, what do you do if they say they want to stay with your ex?

Maybe your ex is constantly rigid about your arrangement, refusing flexibility even when scheduling conflicts arise. Or maybe they’re constantly trying to rearrange visitation at the last minute, throwing your life into chaos. So, what can you do if your ex is being uncooperative and difficult about custody and visitation but not actually violating their legal obligations?

Aside from child custody issues, perhaps one of the most emotionally charged questions in North Carolina divorce cases is "who gets the dog?" Or, more generally, which spouse gets to keep the family pet? The reason is that we typically see our pets as part of the family, and we bond with them just as if they were our children. Unfortunately, the court doesn't see our pets the same way as we do. Let's talk about how North Carolina family courts determine pet custody.

Marriage is hard. Even among couples with like-minded views on everything from money management to religion, staying married can be challenging. And now, it seems that politics can also become a sticking point in a marriage.

Divorce is one of the most difficult decisions anyone can make. It can be a confusing, emotional time for those going through it. what do you do when you have these doubts? Is it just “cold feet,” or is it a sign that you need to step back and reconsider?

Divorce cases can already be contentious. When a spouse has also cheated on you, the case can become even more controversial. But under North Carolina law, most spouses with children must be separated for at least one year and one day before the court will finalize a divorce. There is no legal exception for adultery. Unfortunately, you can’t just file for divorce, claim adultery, and have the court grant your divorce immediately. However, your partner’s adultery can affect the outcome of spousal support, property division, and child custody decisions.

A few thoughtless words to a child or a co-parent can harm your relationship with your children and end up in front of a judge. But it’s also important to be aware of your behavior online. In this article, we’ll touch on some of the things you should avoid online while you’re going through a custody dispute.

For better or worse, social media offers a platform for users to share lives with the world, and more than 70% of U.S. adults take full advantage of this platform. Unfortunately, everyday posts take on new meaning when ex-spouses fight over property, custody, and alimony. So to help navigate the social media terrain during divorce, here are some mistakes to avoid.

If parents repartner or introduce new romantic partners to the family too quickly, children may face even more anxiety or emotional issues. While everyone deserves to have a life partner, it’s important to consider the emotional needs of your children.

In a perfect world, married couples who decide to divorce could do so amicably and relatively easily. Unfortunately, the reality is often very different. While a DYI divorce may save you money on legal fees, you may be opening yourself up to other issues that could bring you headaches — and additional costs — for years to come.

Divorcing after you’ve been in an abusive relationship is never easy. But while many people bear the marks of abuse on their bodies, the signs of abuse are never as clear if you’re facing emotional abuse. So, how do you approach a divorce after emotional abuse? How do you prove it to the court, and how will it ultimately affect your divorce? This article answers some of the top questions we hear from our clients. 

If your spouse tells you they want a divorce, it can be devastating. But to protect yourself, your children, and your future financially, here are five steps you should take quickly. 

It’s the scenario every parent in a child custody battle dreads: having the court rule against you in your custody case. The idea of losing custody of your child—or worse, losing the ability even to see them—can be nothing short of heart-wrenching. Even more so if you know the parent awarded custody is unsafe for the child. The good news is that if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your child custody case, you may be able to file an appeal. In North Carolina, there are specific criteria that the appellate court uses to review the case, and an appeal may not be the best option for everyone. Let’s talk a bit more about the process so you can be better informed.

Separation or divorce is complicated, both emotionally and financially. Although it may be difficult to focus on the big picture, like protecting yourself financially, it's still imperative that you do so.

Divorce and child custody can always be stressful and challenging. Unfortunately, child custody cases involving LGBTQ+ parents can raise unique obstacles. Although same-sex marriage has been legal in North Carolina since the 2015 Supreme Court decision of Obergefell v. Hodges, custody laws are largely geared towards heterosexual couples. As a result, you’ll need a family law attorney with experience working with LGBTQ+ parents who understands the issues you may face. Custody issues can arise between same-sex parents, between a former straight partner and an LGBTQ+ parent, and between a biological parent who donated sperm or an egg and an LGBTQ+ parent or couple.

'I'd rather see if I can help a child than settle an argument between adults over money." - Jane Bolin. Jane Bolin was an amazing woman. As the first African American female judge in the United States, she was a trailblazer in many ways. After her appointment to New York’s Domestic Relations Court, Bolin was the only black female judge in the U.S. for the next 20 years. But after a legal career spanning more than 45 years, she left a legacy for many black women to come.

It's no surprise that many divorcing couples begin dating during their separation and before their divorce is final. After the divorce, it's almost expected. But if you are divorcing someone and have had children together, the family dynamic naturally becomes more complicated, especially where the other parent is concerned. But to what extent? Can the person you're dating ultimately have an impact on your child custody agreement—or can it have a negative effect on custody negotiations? From a legal standpoint, no. From a practical standpoint, possibly. Let's explain.

In divorce cases involving children, determining child custody is frequently one of the most hotly contested issues between the parents. In some cases, one parent may make unfair or even false accusations of domestic violence against the other to gain an advantage in child custody proceedings. Th...

It's not always easy to tell when a marriage is headed for trouble. One spouse is often unhappy in the relationship, while the other is oblivious. Sometimes a marriage on the rocks can be turned around by catching the signals early enough, but often the signs of separation don't become clear until you're already past the proverbial "point of no return." With that said, let's look at some key indicators that you may be headed for a divorce regardless of what you might do to prevent it.

It’s never easy to end a marriage or partnership. And when children are involved, it can be even more complicated—often, one of the most difficult parts of a divorce involves children. You love your children, want what’s best for them, and are willing to stand up for it.

This might be your first child custody hearing—and that can also be overwhelming! One way to ease some of the stress is to understand what you can do to prepare for the hearing.

The early months of the COVID-19 crisis put two significant relationship events on hold —marriages and divorces. Now that the U.S. is past the initial shutdown phase, those numbers have taken a sharp turn. Statistics show that in the latter half of 2020, the number of couples seeking divorce increased by 34%. Couples indicate that the increase is due to the irreparable damage caused by pandemic lockdowns. However, divorcing during the pandemic may be just as challenging as staying together without a strategy to cope.