Custody

Are juries used in divorce trials?

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

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

For those only passingly familiar with the judicial system, it can be confusing to understand the process of a family law case. You may have heard that everyone has a right to a trial by jury, which would seem to indicate that the same is true when it comes to a divorce. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), this doesn’t always apply across the board. To learn more about when and where juries can be used in a family law context, keep reading.

Deadpool Actress Trying to Delay Divorce Deposition Until Post-Pregnancy

Published on: March 1, 2016 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What does uncontested divorce mean?”

The actress Morena Baccarin (from “Deadpool” “Homeland” and currently “Gotham”) is in the midst of what appears to be a rather nasty divorce. Baccarin is currently divorcing her husband Austin Chick and, in addition to the usual fights over money and property division, is battling over custody of the couple’s two-year-old son. As part of the divorce, Chick has insisted that Baccarin answer questions as part of a deposition. Baccarin is now arguing that her pregnancy should excuse her from the deposition, at least for now.

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.

Father of bride pauses wedding procession to honor stepfather

Published on: October 22, 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?”

A father’s gesture at his daughter’s wedding is tugging at the heartstrings of millions worldwide, but has especially resonated with those affected by divorce.

State considering loosening divorce laws

Published on: April 28, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question ” I’m considering separating from my spouse; what actions should I refrain from doing?”

Legislators in Maryland are considering changes to what the Hagerstown, Maryland Herald-Mail says is one of the nation’s most restrictive divorce laws.

Lawyer says pets in contested divorce cases should go wherever the kids go

Published on: March 19, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

Custody battles between parents in a litigated divorce case can turn into ugly proxy wars in which, sadly, children serve unwillingly on the front lines. The battles, which often have little to do with the children themselves, are instead often “about control and winning and lashing out” when one parent feels hurt by the words or actions of another.