Alimony

Financial Issues Unmarried Couples Need to Consider

Published on: November 28, 2018 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: ” I’m considering separating from my spouse; what actions should I refrain from doing?”

We have all heard the fairytales – boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl get married, boy and girl live happily ever after. Life is not a fairytale, and more and more couples are choosing to postpone marriage and instead live together as if they were a married couple – sharing financial responsibility, purchasing a home together, etc. There is nothing wrong with postponing marriage, but there are some financial considerations that couples must think about to avoid problems in the future. When unmarried couples do not have defined financial plans, or responsibilities, it can often result in financial harm.

A Guide to Alimony in North Carolina

Published on: October 10, 2018 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “When do you get alimony?”

Not every marriage ends in a lifetime of happiness with your spouse. Unfortunately, spouses have irreconcilable differences that lead them to file for divorce and legally end their marriage. For some spouses, divorce results in each spouse continuing to work and live his or her separate life, just separate from the former spouse. For others, though, a divorce can cause them to wonder how they will continue in their previous lifestyle. In some instances, one spouse works and makes money to provide for the family, while the other spouse stays home or works at a lesser paying job. A divorce does not have to devastate one, or both, spouses financially. There is a potential for one spouse to receive alimony payments from the other spouse.

Court of Appeals Rules on Distribution of Property in Divorce

Published on: September 12, 2018 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: ” Is there some property that the judge cannot divide?”

Deciding to file for divorce in North Carolina can be difficult. Not only are you dealing with the emotional ramifications that might come along with ending a marriage, but you are also faced with dividing physical property between you and your soon to be ex-spouse. Recently, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled on a divorce case with some issues surrounding the division of marital property.

Final Version of Tax Plan Includes Changes To Alimony

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

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “When do you get alimony?”

We have previously mentioned the possibility that the Republican tax plan currently before Congress could have some unexpected impacts. Though most news reports have focused on the tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, there are many other smaller changes that will impact wide swaths of society. One of the underreported examples involves alimony.

The Impact of Tax Reform on Alimony Payments

Published on: November 22, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “When do you get alimony?”

Tax reform has been in the news recently, with all sides of the political debate arguing about the best path forward. Some believe taxes are too high and need to be cut across the board. Others believe the cuts should be focused on lower and middle-income Americans. Still others are aiming the primary benefits at the wealthiest individuals and corporations. Which side will ultimately prevails remains to be seen.

What does and (doesn’t) happen if your divorce case goes to trial?

Published on: June 28, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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

Many people have skewed views of what happens in a courtroom. Television and movies have done a disservice to our understanding of what really goes in when you’re in front of a judge. We expect fireworks, tears, shocking revelations, audible gasps from the jury and if we don’t get it we’re disappointed. The reality is that in the vast (and I mean vast) majority of cases, you’re simply trying to hold people’s attention. Just as one example, discovery obligations and rules of evidence make it unlikely that surprises will occur, both sides usually see any “surprise” coming long before it’s ever presented in court.

Supreme Court Sides With Veteran In Spousal Support Case

Published on: June 7, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How are military divorces different from a regular divorce?”

It’s rare that spousal support cases make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices are usually grappling with weighty issues involving constitutional rights, but occasionally make time for less headline-grabbing matters. Recently, that’s exactly what the Court did, hearing and then deciding a small case with an even smaller amount of money on the line. Though the ruling won’t go down in history, it does clarify an area of confusion in the law and will bring certainty to a number of other military divorces.

Experts Say Postnuptial Agreements Are Increasing In Popularity

Published on: May 3, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How will the judge divide our property?”

Though you’ve likely heard of a prenup, either from a friend, a relative or in popular culture, postnups aren’t nearly as common. Though a much newer invention, experts in the family law business say they’re beginning to catch on, with large numbers of family law attorneys reporting an increase in interest from clients. What is a postnup? How does it work? Is there any value? To learn more, keep reading.

Can Change In Circumstances Nullify A Prenup?

Published on: April 12, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How will the judge divide our property?”

If you’ve ever played Farmville, then you played a part in making Mark Pincus a very rich man (a billionaire, in fact). Though his name might not ring a bell, his products likely do. Mark is the founder of a major videogame company known as Zynga, which is responsible for several big hits. His company has done quite well and Mark is now believed to be worth a little over $1.2 billion.

In a rare move, Supreme Court agrees to hear divorce case

Published on: March 22, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How are military divorces different from a regular divorce?”

When you think of Supreme Court cases, you typically imagine the big ones, cases like Brown v. Board of Education or Miranda v. Arizona. Though it’s true that the Supremes usually only involve themselves in the bigger disputes, there are times when they choose to wade into more run-of-the-mill matters. A recent case argued before the court illustrates just that and concerns principles of equitable division; more specifically, how pension payments are divided during a divorce.