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Types of Marital Contracts

Published on: February 21, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Types of Marital Contracts

Whether you are planning your marriage or have made the decision to separate and divorce, you need to put the terms into a formal agreement. Marital agreements are contracts between a married couple. In North Carolina, there are four main types of marital agreements or contracts. These include prenuptial, postnuptial, separation, and settlement agreements. Each type of agreement has a specific use and is best made with help from a knowledgeable family law attorney.

Prenuptial Agreement

Child Abandonment in North Carolina

Published on: February 14, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Child Abandonment in North Carolina

About 18.3 million children are living in families without their fathers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That equates to about one in four children in the United States. Most often, it is a father who abandons a child, but a child could also be abandoned by a mother. Abandonment can occur in cases where parents are married, separated, divorced, or unmarried.

What is Child Abandonment?

What is a Financial Disclosure in a North Carolina Divorce?

Published on: February 7, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is a Financial Disclosure in a North Carolina Divorce?

When a couple decides to end their marriage, they begin the divorce process. In North Carolina, a couple must live apart for at least a year before they may seek a no-fault divorce. A no-fault divorce is based on the fact that both parties agree that the marriage is over and cannot be saved. The next step is for couples to divide their assets and debts in a fair and equitable manner. Marital property is property that the couple has obtained during their marriage.

Financial Disclosure of Assets and Debts

What You Need to Know About Marital Property in North Carolina

Published on: January 31, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What You Need to Know About Marital Property in North Carolina

North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state. This means that a couple may seek to end their marriage due to irreconcilable differences. A no-fault divorce is easier and less complicated than divorces that require grounds. While a no-fault divorce is likely less difficult, couples must still work to properly divide their property as well as their assets. North Carolina laws provide that couples divide marital property in an equitable manner when they divorce.

What is Marital Property?

How Long Will an Uncontested Divorce Take in North Carolina?

Published on: January 24, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Long Will an Uncontested Divorce Take in North Carolina?

When you make the decision to end your marriage, you and your spouse will begin the divorce process. In North Carolina, absolute divorce is the name given to divorce that ends your marriage. You may be hoping to dissolve your union as quickly as possible, and you might wonder how long it will take to complete an uncontested divorce in North Carolina. The length of time can vary greatly from couple to couple, and there are various factors that will contribute to the time it takes to get a divorce.

Uncontested Divorce in North Carolina

What to Know About No-Fault Divorce in North Carolina

Published on: January 17, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What to Know About No-Fault Divorce in North Carolina

When you and your partner tie the knot, you do not expect it to end in divorce. The last thing you think about is going through life without your partner. Unfortunately, sometimes marriages do not work out. If you have explored your options and tried to resolve your issues, you may still come to the conclusion that you wish to go your separate ways. The decision to divorce is not an easy one, but it is made easier with the ability to seek a no-fault divorce in North Carolina.

What is No-Fault Divorce?

Why is January Known as National Divorce Month?

Published on: January 10, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Why is January Known as National Divorce Month?

A new year is here, and with it comes changes, resolutions, and, in some cases, divorce. Many people refer to January as an unofficial divorce month. Certainly, January seems to be a month when more couples make the decision to end their marriages. Divorce is not something that couples take lightly. Most couples contemplate divorce for some time before they decide to move forward with the process. If you are ready to end your union, you may want to discuss the matter with a qualified divorce attorney in North Carolina.

Why is January a Popular Month for Divorce?

Who Keeps the Dog in a Divorce?

Published on: January 3, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Who Keeps the Dog in a Divorce?

Your pets are part of your family. Often, couples have pets before they have children, and sometimes they have pets instead of kids. Most households own some type of pet. In fact, pet ownership has increased significantly over the last 30 years. As of 2023, about 66% of households in the United States are home to a pet. That equates to about almost 90 million homes. When couples divorce, they need to decide which one will keep the family pet.

Pets are Property

How Do I Change My Name Back When I Get Divorced?

Published on: December 27, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Do I Change My Name Back When I Get Divorced?

When you get married, it is customary to take your husband’s last name. In some cases, you may even choose to hyphenate your new and old names to form your new surname. If you later divorce, you may wish to return to using your original last name. If you want to return to the last name you had prior to getting married, you will need to know the steps to take to achieve this change.

Resumption of Pre-Marital Surname

What is the Parent Education Program in North Carolina?

Published on: December 20, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is the Parent Education Program in North Carolina?

As a parent, you are responsible for the care and well-being of your children. When you divorce, you and your spouse are both generally required to continue to provide for your children. Often, parents share custody of their children. This means that they are both responsible for legal and physical custody of their kids. Sharing parental responsibilities can be challenging, especially in situations where you and your spouse are not getting along. North Carolina provides some guidance in the form of a parent education program that can be helpful to parents who are separating or divorcing.

Parent Education Program