Divorce

Paying Child Support in North Carolina

Published on: July 3, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How is the amount of child support decided in North Carolina?”

When a couple divorces, or otherwise separates, it is not uncommon for the parent without full custody of the child be required to pay child support to the parent primarily raising the child. Child support payments are supposed to help pay for the costs of raising a child and ensuring that the child’s needs are met. Housing costs, food, transportation, and other day-to-day living expenses are among the basic necessities that child support payments can cover. What happens, however, if the parent ordered to make the payments in not able to pay the required child support? When judges make a child support ruling, are there things that they must keep in mind?

Financial Considerations During a Divorce in North Carolina

Published on: June 26, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How much does it cost to get divorced, and how does the billing process work?”

Going through a divorce can be stressful. You are suddenly tasked with splitting up a life that you built with another person and dividing all of your possessions, assets, and debts between you. In North Carolina, marital property is distributed under the premise of equitable distribution. This means that property is split according to what is fair, not necessarily equal, for each of the individuals. After the property distribution is settled and your divorce agreement is in place, there are additional financial considerations that will impact all divorced individuals.

False Allegations Made During Divorce: Here is What You Need to Know

Published on: May 22, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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?”

Stressful situations can make people do unthinkable things, things that you would never expect an individual could be capable of based off of your experiences with them. During a contentious divorce, you might see a side of your former spouse come out that you never expected. There have been instances in which one spouse makes up stories about the other in an attempt to sway opinion. Lies are told in an attempt to receive more of the marital assets, receive the child custody agreement they want, or even to increase the amount of alimony received. You might think that false allegations will not affect you, but there are real consequences that come with certain allegations. If you are facing the challenge of a false allegation during divorce proceedings, here is what you need to know.

What Not to do at a Custody Hearing

Published on: May 8, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

Fighting for the custody of your children can be extremely difficult. Not only can court proceedings be difficult to understand, but the emotional toll of not knowing what the custody outcome will be can weigh on parents. An experienced family law attorney will help guide you through the process of obtaining custody in North Carolina. While an attorney can help you, there are still things that you can do to help. Specifically, there are actions that you can avoid during a custody hearing that could help your case.

Do I Need My Spouse’s Consent for a Divorce?

Published on: April 24, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How can an attorney help me with my Divorce or Separation in North Carolina?”

We live in a society in which nearly 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Sometimes two people choose to end their marriage amicably after realizing that the marriage is no longer working. The couple then files for divorce and parts ways without a lot of drama. The divorce process turns much more contentious when one spouse is not cooperative or on board with the divorce proceedings. In North Carolina, you do not need the consent of your spouse to move forward with divorce proceedings. Only one person’s consent is required to file for divorce. While one person can move forward with a divorce, there are often other questions and concerns that can pop up during a divorce when only one spouse has consented.

Tips for Going to Family Court

Published on: April 17, 2019 | 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?”

The day you have anxiously anticipated and prepared for is here: It is finally your day in court to settle your divorce. You have likely been waiting many months for this day and your attorney has prepared for hours and hours for every contingency. It can be scary to finally set foot in a courtroom; you have endured hours of interviews, depositions, settlement negotiations, and other proceedings to prepare for a judge to make a determination. Below are tips to keep in mind before going into family court to ensure the best possible outcome.

Setting Boundaries in Your Divorce

Published on: March 27, 2019 | 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?”

Going through a divorce or separation in North Carolina can be extremely difficult. It can be hard to come to terms with the fact that your marriage is ending and you are starting a new chapter of your life. Regardless of whether the divorce is filled with contention or you and your ex have come to a mutual decision to amicably end the marriage, there will likely be some issues. Divorce does not just end your marriage; it also changes your entire life. Even if you are on the best of terms with your soon to be ex-spouse, it is important to set boundaries with him or her as you transition to life after divorce.

Three Major Issues in Family Law Cases

Published on: February 13, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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

Every divorce and family law case is different because every family is different. There are different family dynamics, marital assets, and child custody disputes. While the specific facts of each case are different, there are commonalities among many family law divorce cases. The following are the three of the major issues that commonly arise in a divorce proceedings.

Child Testimony in North Carolina Divorce

Published on: February 6, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

Most parents do not want their children to become pawns in a divorce. However, emotions are often running high in divorce and even the best parents can become blind to their own behavior. In divorce proceedings, most states allow the testimony of the child and his or her preference on what the custody arrangement should be. North Carolina is one of those states.

Social Media and Your Divorce

Published on: January 30, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “Should I delete old posts or censor new posts while going through a divorce?”

Divorce is difficult. Suddenly, two people who have spent a portion of their lives, regardless of how long or short of a time, together are deciding to end their marriage and separate. Due to the personal nature of divorce, conflict and emotions can run high. It can be difficult to split up assets, reach a custody agreement, and come to a mutual decision on the best division of property. Each side wants what they want and will present evidence to help them get it. One type of evidence that is commonly used in divorce proceedings that you might not expect is social media posts. Social media can have a negative impact on your divorce. The following are some guidelines to social media to consider during divorce proceedings in North Carolina.