Family Law

No pre-nup leads to costly divorce for celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis

Published on: September 10, 2015 | 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?”

Last week, celebrity chef and restaurateur Giada De Laurentiis finalized her divorce from ex-husband Todd Thompson, and the divorce is going to be costly for De Laurentiis. The pair, who separated last year after 11 years of marriage, will share custody of their seven-year-old daughter, Jade Marie. De Laurentiis initially posted news of the divorce on her website in December, writing that their “focus on the future and overwhelming desire for [the] family’s happiness” gave them the strength to “move forward on separate, yet always connected paths.”

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.

“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.

Facebook sperm donor serves as reminder of the health and legal complications that may result from bypassing professional assistance

Published on: July 27, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What rules are there for Father’s Right in NC?”

In a viral story out of the UK, a 26-year-old sperm donor has used Facebook to father 10 children from nine different women. In 2014, Kenzie Kilpatrick created a Facebook page offering sperm donations to women wanting to have a baby. So far, his donations have yielded seven children, with three more due within the next month.

Prenuptial agreements valuable for owners of special, unique businesses

Published on: June 2, 2015 | 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?”

If you love your business as much as your spouse—or if you do not want to deal with the business complications that may arise when you divorce—you should convince your spouse to enter into a prenuptial agreement.

Company sells itself as cheaper online divorce alternative

Published on: May 7, 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?”

Since its inception, the online realm’s “open source” mantra has seen so-called techies from points all over the world collaborating for the betterment of online humanity. That seemed at least to be the idea of the internet in its early days.

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.

Holding on for the kids’ sake is not always the olive branch it appears to be

Published on: March 31, 2015 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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

How many couples have stuck it out through the years for their children’s sake?

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.

Woman finds boyfriend with three women, takes his dog, ends up in court over Cash

Published on: March 12, 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?”

The split between New York media executive Noah Szubski from the daughter of “Wild Wild West” star Robert Conrad is heating up, with Szubski and Chelsea Conrad waging a courtroom battle over Cash.