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Typically, your ex can only lower their spousal support payments in North Carolina if they can show that their financial circumstances have significantly changed or that yours have. This article will discuss the top tricks your ex may pull out for the court and how you can expose and counter them in court. 

Some of the most hotly contested issues during a divorce or separation include financial obligations. A North Carolina court may order an individual to pay child support to the custodial parent, meaning the parent who has most or all the parenting time, otherwise known as physical custody. Child ...

What is the difference between a separation agreement and a divorce in North Carolina? In this article, we'll discuss the differences between separation and divorce agreements so you can make the best choice for your family.

Relationships with your teenage children can be hard. Teens are moving toward independence, and as part of that growth, they often reject the advice and support of their parents. But in some extreme cases of discord with your teen, they may even try to terminate your parental rights. In North Carolina, a child’s petition to end parental rights is called emancipation. 

Whether you’ve changed your naming during your divorce proceeding or petitioned the court afterward, there are important documents that you should update. Let’s take a look at some of them

It’s one of the worst things that can happen to a parent. You go through a divorce, and then your ex tries to end your parental rights. If they are successful, it means you will have no say in how your children are raised, and depending on the circumstances, you may even be forbidden to see them or have a relationship with them. What can you do to prevent this from happening? Here’s what you need to know.

If you’re contemplating divorce, you may already know how stressful and emotional the process can be. Finances are one area where it’s sometimes possible to mitigate the impact. Alimony is one way to accomplish this. In North Carolina, “dependent spouses” (those financially dependent on a spouse) are entitled to receive alimony from the “supporting spouse.”

When considering how to address differing opinions about child support, alimony, child custody, and property, it can be hard to decide what process is right for you. Two potential resolution options are consent orders and separation agreements. Both are ways of coming to an agreement; however, th...

Getting a divorce with children involved is always complicated, but if you have adopted your spouse’s biological children, you may have added concerns regarding your legal relationship with your adopted stepchildren.

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.