Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog

The Benefits Of Prenuptial Agreements For Same-Sex Couples

Published on: December 29, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “When do you get alimony?”

Family law experts have long said that not enough people consider the potential value of a prenuptial agreement. Too often what family law attorneys hear is that prenuptial agreements are only for rich people or those on second and third marriages that want to ensure children from their first marriage are being looked after. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as prenups can be useful in almost any circumstance. Unfortunately, this same prenuptial skepticism has carried over to many same-sex couples who, for the first time, are now able to marry legally nationwide. The reality is that though prenuptial agreements are beneficial to same-sex couples for all the same reasons as they are to opposite-sex couples, there are other reasons why same-sex couples may benefit even more. To find out more about the benefits of prenuptial agreements for same-sex couples, keep reading.

New Hampshire Court Says Judges Can’t Undo a Divorce

Published on: December 22, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question ” If I remarry, can they look at my new spouse’s income?”

It isn’t uncommon for couples in the midst of a divorce to have second thoughts, wondering whether the decision was actually the right one. The good news is that should you change your mind, you have the ability to backtrack and, up until the moment the divorce is finalized, you can withdraw your petition for divorce. It can be comforting for some people to know that the process, once put into motion, can still be stopped. However, a recent ruling from the New Hampshire Supreme Court demonstrates that there’s a limit to when the divorce can be undone. Keep reading to find out more about the limits judges have when undoing a divorce.

Case Demonstrates Difference Between Separate vs. Marital Property

Published on: December 15, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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?

One of the most troublesome aspects of a North Carolina divorce can be the division of property. It’s difficult for a lot of reasons, legally, financially and even emotionally. People can become attached to items of property for sentimental reasons or want to deny them to a spouse out of spite. The division can also be difficult because the parties to the divorce both need money and want to walk away with enough to feel like they’ve gotten a fair shake. Another reason it can be complicated is because the law inserts itself into something very personal: dividing up a couple’s worldly possessions. This kind of intrusion can be very complicated and often lacks finesse. Keep reading to find out about a good example of such a division and the important lesson the story holds for those in the midst of a North Carolina divorce.

Divorce And Its Impact On Your Job

Published on: December 8, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Does adultery affect my divorce case?”

It’s common for people to think through the potential impact a divorce could have on their lives. For instance, would the divorce cause problems among family members or force friends into an awkward spot? Something most people wouldn’t think about is how the divorce may impact them at work. However, that’s precisely the subject of a recent New Jersey Supreme Court case, which delved into the impact that a divorce can have on your job.

Changing Society Leads To Increase In “Twilight” Divorces In South Korea

Published on: December 1, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question ” Is there some property that the judge cannot divide?”

We’ve discussed before the trend in the U.S. concerning late-in-life divorce, despite the fact that the overall divorce rate appears to be declining, divorce among seniors and those in long-term marriages is rising rapidly. The trend of increased divorce later in life is apparently not limited to the U.S., but is spreading to Asia, specifically, South Korea. That country is undergoing important legal and social changes that have led to the increase. To find out more about “twilight” divorce, keep reading.

What Do Children Think About Divorce?

Published on: November 24, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “How can an attorney help me with my Divorce or Separation in North Carolina?”

A recent survey conducted by a British family law organization, Resolution, shed light on the divorce process by revealing some interesting statistics. Importantly, and unusually, the survey did not focus on the adults, but instead surveyed children, asking them their thoughts on divorce and ideas about what parents can do to make the process easier on the kids. Specifically, the group focused on hundreds of young people between the ages of 14 and 22 whose parents had gone through a divorce. To find out more about what the survey revealed about children and divorce, keep reading.

Khloe and Lamar example of how a divorce is only final when it’s final

Published on: November 17, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question ” I’m not getting along with my husband. We’ve been married two weeks and it was a mistake. Can’t I just get an annulment?”

As an example of how a divorce is only final when it’s final, Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom have decided to withdraw the petition for dissolution of their marriage. The withdrawal comes after Khloe has spent weeks by Lamar’s side after Lamar was found unresponsive in a Nevada brothel last month.

Child Support In A North Carolina Divorce

Published on: November 10, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What children’s expenses are covered by child support?”

If you have children and are facing a divorce, you likely want to understand more about the child support system and how it works in North Carolina. Given that many people only go through a divorce once, this will likely be your first rodeo and, as a result, you may have a lot of questions. To better understand child support and how it works in North Carolina, keep reading.

Are Gifts Considered Income When Calculating Child Support?

Published on: November 3, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question ” Are overtime, bonuses, and commissions included in calculating child support?”

Everyone knows that income plays a role in divorce. It can impact not only child support obligations, but also spousal support and, in some circumstances, equitable division of assets. What is interesting is that income includes more than just what you earn from working. Income can be from investments, income can be from bonuses and income can also be imputed. Imputation occurs when a court decides that a person should be given credit for earning a certain income, even if it isn’t really being earned.

Divorce Battles Over Dogs

Published on: October 27, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What are my custody rights if the other parent moves?”

Family law attorneys are used to hearing and seeing it all. The combination of anger, embarrassment and hurt feelings can combine to cause good people to act out in all manner of strange ways. One area that was often a central focus of this acting out concerned custody battles, with the parents engaging in brutal battles to secure more advantageous custody or visitation arrangements. While this is certainly still the case among some couples, a new subject has recently been getting attention: pet custody.