Child Custody

What is a Custody Evaluation?

Published on: April 5, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is a Custody Evaluation?

When couples divorce, they need to resolve many settlement issues. Some divorces are amicable, but often, couples disagree about important matters such as child custody. Parents may both have legal custody of their child, which allows both parents to make important decisions about a child’s health, education, and religion, among other things. Physical custody refers to where a child will live most of the time. Disputes about child custody can be emotional and challenging to resolve.

Resolving Custody Disputes

How Can I Relocate With My Child After Divorce?

Published on: March 29, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Can I Relocate with My Child After Divorce?

Parenting is often difficult after a divorce. When parents go their separate ways, they still have responsibilities to their children. Usually, both parents share legal custody of their child in that they are both able to make important decisions regarding the life of their child. Some of these decisions revolve around the child’s health, education, and religion, among others. Often, children reside primarily with one parent while they enjoy regular visitation with the other parent. The custodial parent may want to move out of the area after a divorce. Before you relocate, you need to make sure that you do so in a way that is legal.

Are There Restrictions on Relocation After Divorce?

Five Common Questions About Divorce in North Carolina

Published on: March 22, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Five Common Questions About Divorce in North Carolina

Couples who are considering divorce may be unsure of what to expect. There are many issues to think about, and it can seem daunting. An experienced North Carolina divorce attorney will answer your questions and guide the process to make it easier and as stress-free as possible.

Can We Get a No-Fault Divorce?

When Does Child Support End?

Published on: March 1, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

When Does Child Support End?

Going through a divorce can be a difficult event for a family. Parents need to be particularly careful when there are children involved. Parents typically share parenting responsibilities, and the non-custodial parent usually pays child support. Child support is necessary to ensure the health and well-being of young children who are under the age of 18. Both parents have an obligation to provide for the welfare of their children. A child support order is a court document that requires a parent to provide money for a child, often as part of a divorce. A knowledgeable family law attorney will help guide the divorce process.

What is Child Support?

What are a Father’s Rights in North Carolina?

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

What are a Father’s Rights in North Carolina?

A child has two biological parents, and both often play important roles in their life. Although a mother gives birth, both the mother and father have rights and responsibilities. Generally, both parents are allowed to spend time with their children. One parent typically has physical custody of the child, while the other has regular visitation. Both parents often share legal custody that allows them to make important decisions for their child regarding health, education, religion, and more. An experienced family law attorney will help protect your parental rights.

Can a Father Get Custody?

What is Supervised Visitation?

Published on: January 25, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is Supervised Visitation?

Parents typically have the right to spend time with their children, even after they get divorced. Both parents generally share legal custody and parenting responsibilities. Often, children reside primarily with one parent while the other parent has visitation. Children can have time with each parent. A visitation order is usually part of the divorce process, along with a parenting plan that provides guidance for visitation.

Visitation

How Do I Divorce a Spouse Who Lives in Another State?

Published on: January 11, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Do I Divorce a Spouse Who Lives in Another State?

The decision to divorce often comes after a long period of discord or discontent. In North Carolina, couples can file for a no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences. Couples are required to live apart for a period of at least one year before they can seek an absolute divorce in North Carolina. In some cases, one or both parties may move out of the area where they originally resided. When this happens, it can complicate the divorce process. If you are seeking a divorce from a partner who lives out of state, it is helpful to seek guidance from an experienced North Carolina divorce attorney.

Residency and Jurisdiction

How Can I Enforce a Child Support Order?

Published on: December 14, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Can I Enforce a Child Support Order?

When you went through a divorce, you were probably quite happy when the process was over and the judge provided an order. Now you and your family can get on with your lives and can begin a new chapter. Things are going along nicely until you stop getting child support payments, or maybe the payments are less than they are supposed to be. At first, your ex simply says he will catch up later, but soon you start to realize that the payments are falling far behind. What can you do to enforce a child support order? A knowledgeable family law attorney can help you through this difficult time.

Understanding Child Support

Tips for Parenting Through the Holidays After Divorce

Published on: November 16, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Tips for Parenting Through the Holidays After Divorce

Parenting can be challenging, especially for those who are divorced. Whether you are going through a separation, are recently divorced, or have been apart for a while, it can be difficult to navigate the schedule with your children around the holidays. While you would like to have your children with you throughout this special time, they also need to spend time with their other parent. Grandparents also want to spend time with their grandchildren. Here are some tips to help you get through the holidays without unnecessary stress.

Plan Ahead

How Do I Establish Paternity in North Carolina?

Published on: November 9, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Children are born to two parents, and both parents have rights and responsibilities. Sometimes, paternity is not automatic. In order to ensure parental rights, paternity might need to be established through legal channels. While you may know that you are the biological parent of a child, the law must confirm this in order to be able to make decisions for your child, order child support, and determine custody and visitation. A skilled family law attorney will help you resolve paternity matters and protect your parental rights.

When parents are married when the child is born, the law presumes that the husband is the father in most cases. If the father’s name is on the birth certificate and the parents later marry, no further action is needed to establish paternity. Paternity is the way to make sure that the biological father is the legal father of a child. Although parents may understand who the father is, the law does not assume paternity when the parents are not married.

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