Divorce law

Wisconsin Considers Ditching Post-Divorce Waiting Period

Published on: November 1, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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.

Indian lawmakers consider tackling unusual problem: instantaneous divorce

Published on: March 1, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “Do I need an attorney to get a Divorce in North Carolina?”

One of the most common complaints about divorce is that the process takes so long. Between waiting periods to file, the slow court process and uncooperative spouses, it can take months or longer for a divorce to make its way through the legal system. As a result, some states have begun to take action to speed things up. Mandatory wait times are being decreased and processes are being streamlined, especially in cases where there are no children. Though increasing speed is important in the U.S., lawmakers in other countries are desperate to slow things down.

Beware of the Quickie Foreign Divorce

Published on: May 19, 2016 | 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?”

Prior to and during the 1970s, the so-called “Mexican divorce” was having something of a moment. Fed up with the lengthy and expensive divorce process in the United States, couples from the States would pop across the border for a quickie divorce proceeding, without the lengthy waiting periods required in many states. Mexico wasn’t the only country host to many a drive-through divorce proceeding; they became popular in a host of Central American countries, particularly the Dominican Republic, as well as the Caribbean islands.

There’s No Doubt About It: Gwen Stefani’s Recent Divorce Shows the Power of Settlement Agreements

Published on: April 28, 2016 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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

Divorce is almost always a difficult, drawn-out event for those not living as celebrities. Of all high-profile divorces, those in Hollywood tend to be especially histrionic. So when a divorce involves one of music’s power couples and a love triangle within the same reality television singing competition, you expect the colors to really fly.

Dividing Social Media Accounts In A Divorce

Published on: March 15, 2016 | 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?”

Most people have heard of divorces that turn nasty as couples fight over bank accounts, retirement funds, homes and even furniture. In a surprising turn of events, social media accounts now appear to be worth fighting over. This recent development supports the claim by some family law experts who say that divorce in the internet age will require rethinking the way property is divided, including drafting social media clauses to insert in settlement agreements.

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.

Ex-sheriff seeks to criminalize the practice of trolling for divorce clients

Published on: October 2, 2014 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Can any attorney help me with my family law needs in North Carolina?”

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident… If you live in the United States, you have heard that phrase a few trillion times. But really, if you have been injured in an accident, you are likely to receive a mailer from a lawyer—or two, or five hundred.

What about if you seek a domestic violence protective order and file for divorce? If you are in Michigan, you might receive a mailer from a family-law attorney who is eager to help you. Or not, if a former-sheriff state legislator has his way.

The legislator, Sen. Rick Jones of Grand Ledge, Michigan, is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit lawyers in that state from reaching out to potential divorce clients to offer their legal services until two weeks after the named defendant in a divorce filing has been served with divorce papers and proof of that service has been filed.

Of course, the ex-sheriff put some teeth in his bill. A first-time violation of the rule would be a misdemeanor and subject the violator to a $1,000 fine. Repeat offenders would face up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine, or both.