Iredell County

How Do I Begin the Divorce Process?

Published on: December 28, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Do I Begin the Divorce Process?

It can be difficult to make the decision to end your marriage. Once you know that there is no hope for saving the union, you will need to start the divorce process. North Carolina allows for a no-fault divorce, so you can obtain a divorce because you and your spouse have irreconcilable differences. There are two types of divorce, including divorce from bed and board and absolute divorce. When you want to end the marriage completely, you will likely want to file for an absolute divorce. A knowledgeable North Carolina divorce attorney will help guide you through the process of obtaining an absolute divorce.

Required Separation

What You Need to Know About Divorce in North Carolina

Published on: December 21, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What You Need to Know About Divorce in North Carolina

The divorce rates have been decreasing, but there is still a significant number of marriages that will end. Although divorce is not easy, it may be the best solution for some families. Divorce does not have to be overly stressful. If you can review the many issues that will be part of a divorce settlement, you can prepare for a more amicable resolution. Understanding divorce settlement issues will help you better work through these important issues. A knowledgeable North Carolina divorce attorney will help you navigate the divorce process.

Divorce From Bed and Board

What is Free-Range Parenting and How Can it Affect My Divorce?

Published on: December 7, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is Free-Range Parenting and How Can it Affect My Divorce?

People have different styles of parenting their children. When parents are married or living together as a family, they may choose to adopt a particular parenting style. Sometimes parents do not agree on the way they want to parent their children. This difference can be particularly challenging when parents are divorced or living apart. Free-range parenting is a term that has been recently popularized.

Free-Range Parenting

What Should I Include in a Prenuptial Agreement?

Published on: November 30, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What Should I Include in a Prenuptial Agreement?

Prenuptial agreements are becoming more popular. While many people think that only the rich or famous can benefit from a prenup, it is a helpful document for most couples. The prenup is an excellent way to provide guidance for how to handle the many issues that occur if a couple parts ways. In North Carolina, marital property is divided in an equal manner in a divorce. The prenup can define precisely how to divvy up your property. The prenup has value for both parties, but only if it is made in an enforceable way. A knowledgeable attorney will help you with a prenup that fits your needs.

Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement

How Do I Establish Paternity in North Carolina?

Published on: November 9, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Children are born to two parents, and both parents have rights and responsibilities. Sometimes, paternity is not automatic. In order to ensure parental rights, paternity might need to be established through legal channels. While you may know that you are the biological parent of a child, the law must confirm this in order to be able to make decisions for your child, order child support, and determine custody and visitation. A skilled family law attorney will help you resolve paternity matters and protect your parental rights.

When parents are married when the child is born, the law presumes that the husband is the father in most cases. If the father’s name is on the birth certificate and the parents later marry, no further action is needed to establish paternity. Paternity is the way to make sure that the biological father is the legal father of a child. Although parents may understand who the father is, the law does not assume paternity when the parents are not married.

https://youtu.be/iBTSY6ufZu8

Is Common Law Marriage Legal?

Published on: November 2, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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

Marriage may be less popular today than it was decades ago. Back then, cohabitation was frowned upon and people were not likely to have children outside of marriage. Over the last 40 years, societal norms and conventions have changed and it is perfectly acceptable for couples to live together and even become parents outside of marriage. Many times, couples live together for a period of time before they get married. Other times, couples continue to cohabitate without ever taking marriage vows. While living together without formally getting married may suit a couple, it can make it more difficult if they decide to part ways.

Gray Divorce

Published on: October 26, 2022 | 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?”

Divorce rates have been on the decline for the last decade or more. For those that end in divorce, the median length of the first marriage is about 12 years. While the divorce rate on average is going down, the divorce rate among older individuals is actually rising. Baby boomers are continuing to divorce at a higher rate than those who are younger. Baby boomers are those people who were born between 1946 and 1964. If you are ending your marriage, you may want to seek guidance from a knowledgeable divorce attorney.

Five Common Divorce Mistakes to Avoid

Published on: October 19, 2022 | 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?”

The divorce process can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. This is especially true for those who are going through a divorce for the first time. You may not know what to expect and might be angry and stressed out over the entire ordeal. It is helpful to know some of the most common divorce mistakes to avoid so you can have a more balanced and realistic approach to the process. An experienced divorce attorney will answer your questions and guide the procedure from start to finish.

Uncontested Divorce in North Carolina

Published on: October 12, 2022 | 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?”

When you and your spouse decide to end your marriage, you may both agree that there is no way to save the union. In North Carolina, absolute divorce is the way to legally end your marriage. A divorce is uncontested when parties agree to the divorce and to the terms of the settlement. An uncontested divorce is likely the fastest track to seeking the legal end of your marriage. An experienced North Carolina divorce attorney will help guide the process and help you get through the divorce with as little stress as possible.

How Do We Divide Property in a North Carolina Divorce?

Published on: October 5, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Do We Divide Property in a North Carolina Divorce?

The decision to end your marriage is the beginning of many more choices you will need to make. You and your spouse may have accumulated many assets over the years and must determine the best way to divide them. Couples often disagree as to how to handle the division of property in a divorce, and it can be a challenging issue to resolve. An experienced divorce attorney will help guide the process and work on your behalf to try to come to a fair settlement agreement.

What is Equitable Distribution?