Divorce

The average cost of a divorce in North Carolina, which is $23,000, is very deceptive. High-asset millionaire divorces drive up the average cost figure. These complex cases often take years to resolve. On the other end of the scale, a no-asset and no-child divorce in North Carolina might be a tenth of that average cost. … Read more

Divorce is a stressful, time-consuming, and expensive (the average divorce costs $15,000 per person) experience. It makes sense that you would take your time to choose an attorney carefully. When interviewing divorce attorneys in North Carolina, it is important to keep in mind the following:  Below are the top six attributes your attorney should have … Read more

For spouses in North Carolina considering getting a divorce, the process can seem rather daunting.  Between work, taking care of the kids, and other social and professional responsibilities, working to develop an understanding of the divorce laws in their state can inadvertently fall ever lower on their to-do list.  For this reason, many spouses choose … Read more

During a divorce it can seem like your mind is scattered all over the place; you’ll make hundreds of critical decisions that impact how smoothly your divorce goes and your future beyond. These decisions affect not only you but your children and ex-spouse as well. The area of finances is one of the biggest hurdles … Read more

Helping a teen cope during your divorce is a unique challenge. Older children are more likely to be rebellious and keep their feelings hidden, and of course, they are going through their own things at this stage. Typically, the younger the child, the more likely they are to cry and show emotion. It can be … Read more

During a divorce it can seem like your mind is scattered all over the place; you’ll make hundreds of critical decisions that impact how smoothly your divorce goes and your future beyond. These decisions affect not only you but your children and ex-spouse as well. The area of finances is one of the biggest hurdles … Read more

Going through a divorce is stressful. You must set up new living arrangements, decide child custody, and divide assets and debt. If one or both partners own a business, that’s one more element to manage. Dividing a business can be confusing and tedious. After all, a house is easy to appraise and then sell. Presumably, … Read more

Divorce is extremely stressful and can take a toll on you as an individual, but more importantly, it can take a toll on your children. During l this challenging time, so many questions may be running through your head about your children and how they will fare. Here are some steps to take during a … Read more

Divorce is different for everyone because each person has his or her own life challenges. In some cases, doing what’s best for you conflicts with what’s best for your partner. And when getting a divorce, if your partner is living with a disability, you may bear the burden of deciding what happens with the future of their … Read more

Divorce can come quickly and out of nowhere, especially if it’s unwanted in your mind. You have to deal with many changes, emotionally and physically. It can feel overwhelming and as though you don’t know where to turn. Take a deep breath, and try to think as clearly as possible. Here are some tips to … Read more

A divorce means adjusting to a single income, even if that income includes child support or spousal support.  We’ve talked recently about budgeting in advance, so you know what to expect, but if you’re struggling to figure out life on a lower income, here are some ways to manage.   Downsize to reduce spending. People often think … Read more

One of the biggest mistakes some women make in divorce is keeping the house. But part of the reason they do that is they make the other big mistake: not thinking about their financial life after divorce.  We’re not picking on women. Studies show women are more often the initiator of divorce. Meanwhile, they still earn less … Read more

Should I get the house appraised? It’s a frequent question in our monthly divorce workshops. During a divorce, you and your spouse will divide most of your assets. While many personal items may be easy to label “yours” and “mine” (e.g., an inherited antique vanity, a prized collection), some belongings will be much more difficult … Read more

When your life has been a certain way for many years, adjusting to a new routine can be difficult. After a divorce, life will inevitably change as you shift from a shared life to a life of your own. Life after divorce will not be easy, but it is possible to begin again no matter your age.  … Read more

Many couples choose to live separately for a “trial period” before choosing divorce. If you find yourself in a similar position, you may want to consider a legal separation. A separation agreement is a legally binding agreement between spouses which lays out the terms of separation, similar to that of divorce documents. It resolves issues … Read more

Getting divorced after years of marriage is no longer unheard of. “Gray Divorce,” or divorce between couples over the age of 50, became increasingly common between 1990 and 2010.  One of our divorce workshop attendees recently asked about alimony and other financial considerations when getting a divorce after retirement age. “He has more saved for retirement … Read more

Separation is emotionally draining for all parties, but it can be even harder for those who didn’t see it coming. If a divorce was your spouse’s idea, you might have difficulty separating emotionally from him or her, especially if your relationship was fairly long. When so many aspects of your life are shared with another person, … Read more

There will always be people who disagree with divorce. They could be your parents, friends, coworkers, or even strangers. These people have reasons why they are anti-separation, but regardless of their beliefs, divorces are just part of reality. Whether it’s because of an abusive relationship, a loss of trust, or even general unhappiness, divorces will … Read more

Divorce is a stressful experience no matter the duration of your marriage. Usually, a more extended marriage means more time for a couple to accumulate marital assets. Your children, home(s), finances, are just a few of the factors that may be impacted throughout this legal battle.  We’ve talked before about the effect your “grounds” for divorce has … Read more

During a divorce, the feelings we once had for our partner twist and often turn into something ugly. We may think or call them bad names. Some partners probably deserve this treatment, though of course, others do not. One label often tossed out during divorce is a narcissist, and if your partner has this mental condition, … Read more

Mortgage and credit questions abound when you’re going through a divorce. Splitting from your spouse legally and financially requires several steps, especially if you own a house. Many couples choose to sell the house; often one partner cannot carry the burden of mortgage payments on his or her own. Selling also makes it easier to split … Read more

Whether you and your partner married overseas in a destination wedding or unexpectedly eloped while traveling, the rules of divorce aren’t too different for those who get married in another country. Marriage is a state issue, not a federal, so the laws governing divorce vary by where you live within the U.S. Still, states will allow you … Read more

Most people know that if you’re thinking about divorce, a lawyer is one of your first calls. But some of our participants have asked, “When is the best time to consult an attorney?” In North Carolina, you must be legally separated for one full year before a divorce can go through. One of our divorce … Read more

The cost of divorce is something a lot of people worry about. You already know the costs will mount as you look for a new place to live and begin paying separate bills. How will you get the money to pay the divorce attorney’s fees? Also, there are other professionals to consider such as financial … Read more

Kids are often the biggest concern people list when discussing divorce. How will they be affected? What can we do to make it easier? There’s a good reason to be concerned: children caught in the middle of their parents’ divorce fare far worse, with more emotional problems, lower grades, and behavior struggles. When your kids … Read more

You’ve been thinking about divorce for months. You’ve attended our divorce workshop in Raleigh. You’ve spoken to a divorce attorney, a financial advisor, maybe a therapist. After a lot of soul searching, you decide yes, divorce is the right path. Now, it’s time to separate from your partner. How do you tell him or her? … Read more

Child custody and child support prompt plenty of questions. Decisions surrounding the children are one of the most important parts of divorce and tend to cause the most conflict. We heard this excellent question recently at our Raleigh divorce workshop. Because it’s a frequently asked question, we thought we’d share the answer. Q: If the … Read more

Divorce on peaceful terms is far easier and will certainly cost less than a divorce full of contention. An amicable divorce is also far better if you have children. After all, you’re going to continue to be involved somewhat in each other’s lives. But if your spouse doesn’t want a divorce, he or she may put up … Read more

Collaborative divorce is one way to approach the divorce process. While this approach is not for everyone, if both partners are on good terms, it can make divorce as easy as possible. What is Collaborative Divorce? Collaborative divorce is basically what it sounds like: the two partners work together to figure out the details of … Read more

Divorce is stressful. Saying so feels like platitudes, an obvious statement gone stale from too many repeats. But the stress of divorce is unique, one of those situations you cannot fully understand until you’ve lived through it. Suddenly, you’re in this club and only people who have been there really grasp what you’re going through. … Read more

Couples who have not been married very long may be wondering about annulment. Annulment sounds like a shortcut, an easier way to break off the marriage and start over. But annulment isn’t necessarily the easy path some imagine, and not everyone qualifies. Here is what you need to know about annulment in North Carolina. What … Read more

Divorce brings up a lot of questions about child support and child custody. The partners who are splitting bear most of the weight while making these decisions, but there is one group of people who may also feel concerned: grandparents. Grandparents’ Custodial Rights If you are the grandparent, unfortunately, you do not have many legal … Read more

Divorce is not usually an easy choice for either partner, but both often worry most about their children. At least one study shows more than 80% of children would rather see their fighting parents divorce, and those who experience it realize later it was for the best. Still, the long-term conflict of divorce can cause stress in … Read more

The house is one of the biggest discussions in divorce. Homeownership plays a large factor in a couple’s finances and can mean a great deal to a partner who is financially dependent on another. In addition, the home may hold strong emotional meaning for one or both spouses. After all, you bought it together when … Read more

Divorce requires paperwork. Unfortunately, gathering up the paperwork and information you need can be difficult, especially if you’re not the person who manages those documents and accounts. Still, if you are thinking about divorce or have already decided on divorce, there are several items your lawyer and financial advisor will need. It’s best to track … Read more

Once you and your spouse decide to get a divorce, you’ll have to figure out when and where to tell people. Of course telling the children is the biggest hurdle, but telling friends and family about your divorce is difficult and can cause additional stress. There are no rules for how to break news of divorce to … Read more

People often ask friends, family, and therapists when is the best time to date again after divorce. No matter the answer your heart tells you, there is one answer important to your legal proceedings: after the divorce is final. Dating while separated, but not yet divorced, can cause problems for your legal proceedings. In North Carolina, … Read more

Choosing an attorney is difficult and it’s hard to know what questions to ask a divorce lawyer. You want to find someone who will be your advocate, fight for you, understand what you’re dealing with. You don’t want this person to be your therapist, but he/she will be privy to a lot of your personal … Read more

Divorce is not an easy process. What if there were a better way?  There is! — At least if you believe some of the advertisements out there for an online divorce, or an “easy divorce.”  Once advertisers realize you are separated, you will probably start to see some of these advertisements. Some claim you can … Read more

Divorce in North Carolina is governed by statutes and laws and is the legal end to a marriage and the rights that a marriage provides. It is the culmination of the required time of separation in North Carolina and the meeting of the statutory requirements for filing, serving, and granting of divorce. It can also … Read more