Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog
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?
January is a month of fresh starts. People begin new diets, start exercise routines, and make financial plans. Divorce is likely more common in the new year because many couples are not willing to move forward during the holidays. The time period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s is a hectic time that is filled with family visits, vacations, and time off from school and work. Many couples are busy with the holidays and do not want to mar this time for their family by starting the divorce process. This is especially true of families with children. Instead, couples are more likely to grin and bear it so they can wait for the holidays to be over.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How can an attorney help me with my Divorce or Separation in North Carolina?”
North Carolina Separation Requirement
North Carolina is one of only a few states that require separation prior to filing for divorce. The law requires couples to live apart for a period of at least one full year and a day before getting divorced. Couples cannot live under the same roof, even if they have separate bedrooms.
You must be able to prove that you were separated for a year in order to proceed with your divorce. Therefore, many couples in North Carolina might begin their separation after the holidays. If that is the case, you will need to wait until you have been apart for at least one year before you file for divorce.
Required Separation
While you must be separated to obtain a divorce, you may wish to formalize the process with a legal separation. This procedure is called divorce from bed and board in North Carolina. It is like an absolute divorce, except that you are still legally married. Another option is to create a separation agreement. You will still need to file for absolute divorce to end your marriage. One of the benefits of divorce from bed and board is that it provides couples with the ability to legally divide their property, assets, and debts. This can help make your divorce easier when the time comes.
Seek Legal Guidance
If you have decided to end your marriage, you likely have many questions and concerns. Our legal team is here to help guide you through the process and give you the answers you need. We will help make divorce as easy and stress-free as possible. Give us a call today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to schedule a consultation with our legal team.
The family law practice group at Arnold & Smith, PLLC includes two Board-Certified Family Law specialists and one Child Welfare Law specialist, as well as several attorneys with many years of family law experience that are committed to providing a powerful voice to individuals facing the often-tumultuous issues in this area of law. The range of issues our family law clients may be facing include pre- and post-nuptial agreements; separation agreements; post-separation support; child support (both temporary and permanent); absolute divorce; divorce from bed and board; military divorce; equitable distribution of assets; child custody (both temporary and permanent); retirement benefits and divorce; alimony and spousal support; adoption; and emancipation. Because this area of the law is usually emotionally charged and complicated, the family law attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC act with the utmost dedication to ensure that each client understands his or her options, and then act to achieve the best result possible for that client’s particular situation.
Source:
Separation and Divorce | North Carolina Judicial Branch (nccourts.gov)
divorce | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)
Image Credit:
Couple at home experiencing conflict Free Photo Download | FreeImages
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