Divorce

Terrence Howard’s Divorce Settlement Tossed Out By Judge Due To Coercion

Published on: August 26, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What does a “No-Fault’ divorce mean in NC?”

It is exceptionally rare for a divorce settlement, once finalized, to be thrown out. But that’s exactly what happened in the case of Terrence Howard, who convinced a California superior court judge to toss the settlement reached with Howard’s second wife Michelle Ghent. That divorce was signed and finalized in 2012, making the decision all the more remarkable for reopening a divorce long since closed.

Divorce and mandatory separation time

Published on: August 18, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What does a “No-Fault’ divorce mean in NC?”

According to a recent report in the International Business Times, divorce rates in Italy have surged over the past year, especially among older Italians. What’s responsible for the recent uptick in divorce? Mass infidelity? Social Upheaval? Bad food? Nope. The reason is a legal change in the separation time required before a petition for divorce can be signed off on by a judge.

Another State Considers Measure To Change Custody

Published on: August 13, 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?”

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are currently holding hearings on a very important and very emotional issue for any parent: child custody. Specifically, legislators in the state are in the process of debating what if any changes to the existing system should be made. With a nationwide push to increase equality in child custody decisions, Massachusetts now finds itself wrestling with the same issues other states have before. How to weigh the potential benefit to children and parents that can come with legally mandated custody arrangements versus the wisdom of judicial discretion.

“Magic moment” to marry is really many magic moments, study says

Published on: August 11, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What children’s expenses are not covered by child support?”

A Duke University researcher who set out to test whether the adage that unmarried parents are most receptive to the idea of getting married in the “magic moment” right after a child’s birth was true found out the post-birth magic lasts longer than a moment.

Can you appeal a divorce in North Carolina?

Published on: August 5, 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?”

If you are in the midst of or recently emerging from a North Carolina divorce, you may have encountered certain decisions in your divorce case that you disagreed with. For instance, a judge may have awarded custody in a way that you found unfair, or given your spouse more money than you think was warranted. Some decisions are more important than others and some may be so critical that you even considered the idea of an appeal. To find out more about how an appeal works in a North Carolina family law case, keep reading.

Blake and Miranda’s Divorce Records Sealed by Judge, Special Treatment Alleged

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

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold being interviewed on the Legal Forum. 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?

Divorce can be a difficult time for most everyone that experiences it. Your marriage is coming to an end, your children will learn what’s happening and personal and financial information that you would rather keep hidden will be exposed to strangers. Given these many drawbacks, it isn’t surprising that most people wonder if there are ways to shield some of this information from the prying eyes of the public. Country superstars Miranda Lambert and her husband Blake Shelton felt much the same way, but unlike most people, were successful in their attempt to have their court records sealed.

Ashley Madison hack creates anxiety for users and opportunity for divorce lawyers

Published on: July 23, 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?”

By now you have likely heard of the Ashley Madison hack. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the site, and the countless others who pretend to be unfamiliar with it, Ashley Madison is a website designed explicitly for finding an affair and cheating partners in your local area. It prides itself on being the “world’s leading married dating service for discreet encounters.” A few days ago, the website was hacked by a group threatening to release all customer names, addresses, and credit card transactions if the site is not shut down. Ashley Madison’s parent company, Avid Life Media (ALM), has since hired an IT security team to work on the breach.

Why the timing of the Affleck/Garner divorce has piqued the interest of the legal community

Published on: July 15, 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?”

Ben Affleck’s appearance at San Diego Comic Con this past weekend to promote his upcoming film, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, brought back memories of his previous attempt to portray a superhero on screen. In 2003, Affleck starred as the masked vigilante Daredevil in a movie that was widely panned by critics and fans alike. Overall, 2003 had to be a tough year for his fans; sitting through Daredevil, Paycheck, and Gigli within a twelve-month span would take its toll on anyone.

Divorce should be tougher or it should be easier, depending on who you ask

Published on: May 21, 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?”

Think divorce is tough? It’s not tough enough, say activists and legislators in several American states.

“Secret marriage” torpedoes man’s engagement to television personality

Published on: May 19, 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?”

Then-Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her family were thrust into the media spotlight in 2008 when Arizona Senator and then-presidential candidate John McCain named Palin as his running mate in the political race against (then Senator, now President) Barack Obama and running-mate Joseph Biden.