Child Custody

Chicago Finally Abolishes Dual-Track Family Law Court

Published on: October 11, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

Legal battles over custody and child support are miserable for everyone involved. They take time, money and create enormous amounts of stress given the importance of the subject matter: your kids. Though unpleasant, the process should at least be uniformly unpleasant, meaning that everyone suffers equally as these issues are resolved. In Chicago, an outdated court system meant that not all family law issues were handled the same way, putting some families in a better position than others. Thankfully, that two-track system has finally been abolished and all family law matters will be resolved by one unified domestic relations court.

Chicago Judge Tackles Problem of Incarcerated Divorce

Published on: September 13, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is an Absolute Divorce?”

It is something that very few people give much thought to: divorce behind bars. Though it seldom makes it on to most people’s radar, it can present enormous problems. Getting divorced while incarcerated is difficult if not outright impossible in some instances. This can mean that many resign themselves to being trapped in bad marriages or stuck with unresolved custody issues, which can create hopelessness among those already struggling to hold onto dreams of their future.

New Jersey Supreme Court Breaks Precedent In Recent Ruling

Published on: August 23, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

When it comes to custody issues during and after a divorce, it can be very hard for families to navigate the complexities of two parents, two homes and multiple opposing ideas of what is right. One of the most difficult custody issues to resolve is when one parent decides to relocate out-of-state, something that forces a court to upend the previously agreed to parenting plan.

Michigan Moves To Make Joint Custody Mandatory

Published on: June 21, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

Everyone knows that custody and visitation are among the most contentious parts of many divorces. Parents are understandably motivated to secure as much time as possible with their children and fight hard to ensure they are granted authority to make decisions about how their children will be raised. Though this makes perfect sense, many wonder if the process could be simplified (and made much less stressful) by eliminating the fight over custody entirely.

Change to Illinois Family Law Causes Concern

Published on: May 31, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How is the amount of child support decided in North Carolina?”

Family law is an aspect of our legal system that can sometimes seem immune to change. It can take years for the family law world to react to changes in society, and even longer for those changes to trickle down through the various states. One state that hasn’t changed its family laws in decades is Illinois. Legislators there have decided to finally tackle the outdated legal code and are in the midst of a multi-year overhaul.

Tennessee Judge Says Woman Has The Rights of a Husband

Published on: May 24, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What are my custody rights if the other parent moves?”

Though it’s gone smoothly in some places, other courts in more conservative states have had a bumpy road adapting to changed legal realities since the landmark same-sex marriage case decided by the Supreme Court in 2015. A good example of this is in Tennessee, where one same-sex couple has spent months and months fighting to get a divorce, something that has proven harder than many expected.

Critics Call On Chinese Courts To Tackle Child Snatching Problem in Custody Disputes

Published on: January 5, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

Custody issues are among the thorniest for couples in the midst of a divorce. Though there can certainly be fights over money and dividing personal property, when it comes to the kids it can be vastly more challenging to reach compromise. This is why family law judges so often intervene in custody disputes, acting as a neutral third party with an eye towards the best interest of the child. Though the system is far from perfect, with parents routinely arguing that one or the other wasn’t treated fairly or should have received more visitation, it generally serves its purpose of looking out for children and fairly allocating custody and visitation among parents.

Brad Pitt’s Emergency Request to Seal Records in His Child Custody Case with Angelina Jolie Denied

Published on: December 13, 2016 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

There is nothing quite like a divorce case to air a couple’s dirty laundry, whether it is on an individual or collective basis for the parties involved. Personal details, financial issues, lascivious allegations—a divorce case has the power to bring all of this to the surface.

The NY/NJ Bombing Suspect Loses Custody Rights, But Child Keeps Name

Published on: October 11, 2016 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What are my custody rights if the other parent moves?”

At long last, Maria Mena has won in her quest for full custody of the child she had with New York and New Jersey bombing suspect Ahmed Rahami when they were teenagers.

The Implications of the Brangelina Split

Published on: September 20, 2016 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What does a “No-Fault’ divorce mean in NC?”

Over the weekend, news broke that “Brangelina”, the portmanteau for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s relationship, has come to an end. The news came as a shock to many given the couple’s seeming happiness and history together. Though fans continue to grieve the demise of arguably the world’s most famous celebrity coupling, divorce attorneys have begun to ponder what might occur during the upcoming divorce? Will it be a public battle or a private one? Will the fight be over money? How about the kids? To learn more about what experts expect out of the Brangelina split, keep reading.