Oftentimes, when people picture adoption, they think of a couple adopting a child domestically or internationally through an adoption agency. This is a common form of adoption, but it is not the only type. The practice of adoption has evolved to include stepparent...
Back to school custody situations following a summer divorce
It is back to school time for children across North Carolina. Some kids may be excited to head back to the classroom while others may wish summer lasted just a little bit longer. But the new school year may look different than years past if a child’s parents divorced...
The importance of requesting alimony before an absolute divorce
During a North Carolina divorce, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the dramatic life changes people might experience. That can lead to mistakes that prove costly in the short and long term. One example that might sound simple is knowing when to request alimony (also...
Determining which spouse will receive which property in divorce
Throughout the course of a marriage, spouses may acquire various property, both together and individually. It may be in many forms as well such as homes, cars, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, collectables, household goods and other forms....
How COVID-19 impacts child custody and parenting plans
The COVID-19 pandemic has required individuals and families to adjust to new restrictions and to be more intentional than ever about health and safety – particularly parents. As we enter the holiday season and restrictions remain in effect, it’s a good time to remind...
3 things you probably didn’t know about adoption
Saturday, November 21, 2020 is National Adoption Day. Adoption days are often called "the happiest day in court." Most of us know people who have been adopted or who are adoptive parents. Step parent adoption, kinship adoption, baby adoption, international adoption,...
Preparing your kids for dual households after a divorce
During a divorce, many kids experience a fear of losing one or the other parent. In a kid’s mind, splitting up the household sometimes equates with one parent dropping out of their life altogether. That fear can even lead to psychological issues like separation...
5 factors that may be used to determine child custody
Child custody battles are one of the most contentious aspects of any divorce proceeding. The court will have to make a custody determination if parents are unable to reach an agreement on their own. When courts make a custody decision, they focus on what will be in...
How a gray divorce can impact your retirement
If you have been married more than 20 or 30 years, you may have never planned that now, as you approach retirement, you would be facing divorce. However, if you and your spouse now plan to split, you are not alone. The number of couples ages 50 and over divorcing has...
Can I move out of state with our child?
After a divorce, your life changes. Within a few years, you may want to take a new job out of state, or you may want to remarry someone who doesn’t live in North Carolina and relocate. But can you just move out of state if you and your ex have a child? If you are...
