FAMILY LAW BLOG
Trump’s Tax Plan Alimony
What does Trump's new tax plan mean for alimony? Alimony awards in North Carolina are highly subjective and unpredictable. Unlike child support, there is no calculator where you can plug in your financial and personal information and determine whether alimony should...
Embryo Custody Battles
Before 1978, when the first "test tube" baby was born, no one worried about embryo custody battles. Embryos were in the mother's womb so they were obviously in the mother's custody until they were born. Assisted reproductive technology has come a long way in the forty...
Moving Kids Out of State Divorce
Moving Kids Out of State Divorce Ramifications: The desire to move your child out of North Carolina to a state where you have friends and family during a divorce is understandable. Divorce can often make you feel isolated, and it is important to have support during...
Military: Preserving Parental Rights
Serving in the military poses significant problems for married couples when a spouse is deployed and they cannot control orders that require frequent relocations. When you are divorced, the problems can expand, especially when your ex-spouse is unsupportive of your...
Adult Adoptions
Adult adoptions are easier and less expensive than adoptions of children. Adults are primarily adopted to ensure inheritance, formalize relationships between adult child and stepparent, and to form family ties. Reasons Adults are Adopted Some of the primary reasons...
Alimony in North Carolina
In North Carolina, Alimony is typically ordered If one spouse is dependent on the other spouse to pay the marital expenses, the dependent spouse has a need for support after the parties separate, and the supporting spouse is able to pay the support. Alimony is...
Underage Marriage
Underage Marriage: How Young is Too Young? Individuals who are eighteen or older do not need consent from anyone else to marry in North Carolina. Individuals who are under age 18 may marry if they satisfy the requirements indicated below. Child Marriage or Underage...
Changing Your Name after Marriage
Changing Your Name After Marriage is a Choice Changing your name is optional. You are allowed to keep your old name, change your name to your spouse's name, or to hyphenate your old and new names. It is your decision whether to change your name or not but it is a good...
Stepparent Adoption
When a child is adopted, their ties to their prior parents are severed with one exception. Stepparent adoption only severs the relationship with the parent that the stepparent is not married to at the time of the adoption. NC Requirements Stepparent Adoption The...
Nesting Custody Arrangements
Why Do Some Parents Choose Nesting Custody Arrangements? Packing, unpacking, missing homework left at Dad's or Mom's—frustrated friends who don't know where they are, and, being too far away to participate in fun weekend activities are issues children of divorced...