Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: ” I’m considering separating from my spouse; what actions should I refrain from doing?”
Thinking about ending a marriage can be hard. When one starts to think that he or she might want a divorce, it can be overwhelming; there are many considerations and actions to be taken. If you are contemplating a divorce, here are some things to do to help you through the process.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What does uncontested divorce mean?”
Going through a divorce can be tough. You are ending a relationship and declaring that you wish your legal marriage be terminated. The very nature of a relationship ending can lead to heightened emotions and turmoil during the divorce process. In an effort to avoid contentious divorces, be mindful of your options; there is an alternative to the traditional contentious divorce proceeding. Couples can decide to engage in a collaborative divorce proceeding.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “Does adultery affect my divorce case?”
The act of adultery of one or both spouses is one of the biggest reasons that couples get divorced. North Carolina is a no-fault state in regards to divorce. This means that the spouse who files for divorce is not required to prove that the other spouse is at fault for the divorce. In some states, adultery is one of the “faults” that a spouse can cite as a reason for divorce. This is not true in North Carolina. Nevertheless, adultery can have an impact on a divorce. Alimony payments, child custody, and property distribution can all be affected by adultery.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is an Absolute Divorce?”
It is exceedingly rare for a case about divorce to make its way before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court typically concerns itself with higher profile matters than wading into legal matters between two individuals. Though rare, that is exactly what happened recently as the nation’s highest court heard oral arguments in Sveen v. Melin.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is an Absolute Divorce?”
Divorce, though seldom celebrated, is a process taken for granted by many in the United States and other countries around the world. Though few people begin a marriage intending to divorce, if the time comes and a relationship deteriorates, it is a very good thing that there are legal methods to unwind a bad marriage. This allows the couple to go their separate ways, freeing up both to be happier on their own rather than forcing them to continue being miserable together.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is an Absolute Divorce?”
Estate planning is something that many couples fail to take seriously until it is too late. It is common for people to think they are too young or too busy or too poor to bother to construct a plan to protect their family in the event something bad happens. The reality is that an estate plan can benefit almost everyone, regardless of age or income. Bad things can happen to anyone and when they do, they often happen without warning.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How long does getting a divorce take?”
Normally, when we think of waiting periods and divorce, we are talking about the amount of time a couple has to wait before filing for divorce. In a number of states, these waiting periods exist to try and slow the process. Couples are often required to live separately for some period of time before either can file a divorce petition. Legislators say this time forces a couple to think twice (and maybe thrice) before finally pulling the trigger and moving ahead with a divorce. States have begun lowering these wait times, the goal being to further streamline the divorce process and get couples in and out of court faster.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How should I prepare if I intend to file for divorce in the near future?”
Unsurprisingly, marriage is seen as a nonnegotiable prerequisite to divorce. A court cannot grant a divorce and divide marital property without an underlying marriage. Though this would seem to make sense, there are instances where though a marriage may not be legally valid, it is recognized by courts as having occurred. We have previously discussed issues surrounding common law marriage, but this post deals with something a little different: the putative marriage doctrine.
How should I prepare if I intend to file for divorce in the near future?
Advocates for families and, specifically, victims of domestic violence are making their opinions heard in a Mississippi divorce case that will soon be decided by the state Supreme Court. Opponents of the status quo argue that Mississippi’s laws are antiquated and in desperate need of an overhaul. Of particular interest is the state’s lack of a unilateral no-fault divorce option, something that critics say traps spouses in bad relationships for years longer than necessary, holding them hostage to the whims of controlling and potentially abusive partners.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold being interviewed on the Legal Forum. This was recorded in Charlotte, North Carolina. Topics discussed include: How to choose a divorce lawyer? How long does a divorce take? How much does a divorce cost? When can a person get an annulment?
With divorce underway and a potentially pricey division of assets looming, people have been known to get creative with legal defenses. Allegations of infidelity, abuse, financial mismanagement, you name it. A British man recently came up with an even more creative reason for why he should hold onto the majority of his money: he claimed he and his wife were never actually married.
Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog