Family issues are among the most delicate and emotionally charged a person can face. Though you value your family more than anything else, problems can arise. Relationships can break down between partners, leading one or both to seek divorce. When this happens, questions regarding property ownership and asset allocation inevitably occur. If children are involved, custody and visitation become concerns.
Navigating these questions and worries can cause a lot of anxiety. You shouldn’t have to go through the process of divorce without an experienced legal professional on your side. Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division focuses on handling family law cases, including divorce issues. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
In North Carolina, a legal divorce is referred to as an absolute divorce. If you decide to end your marriage, our experienced divorce lawyers will help you choose the right course. You will have the following options:
Our lawyers will carefully examine your case to help you determine the appropriate course for your situation. Regardless of your situation and needs, Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division will have your interests at heart throughout your case.
Many issues can lead to divorce, but they are not required to be cited as reasons when filing for divorce. In fact, with the exception of cases involving incurable insanity, a divorce in North Carolina must be no-fault.
In simple terms, a no-fault divorce can happen when at least one of the spouses has no desire to remain married. That spouse does not need to prove the other spouse is to blame. The no-fault divorce process is much less complicated than the legal separation process.
Requirements for no-fault divorce in North Carolina include:
However, many married couples who cite marital misconduct in their relationships choose a path of legal separation, which is not technically divorce. As no-fault divorce in North Carolina requires the spouses to first live apart for over a year, many married couples who first seek legal separation may later pursue a no-fault divorce.
The only other type of divorce in North Carolina besides no-fault divorce is divorce due to incurable insanity. If you cite your spouse’s incurable insanity as the grounds for divorce, you must prove that your spouse had mental impairments to the extent he or she was confined and required medical care. You would need to show that you and your spouse could not live in the same place because of this impairment.
In North Carolina, a legal separation on the grounds of marital misconduct is called a “divorce from bed and board.” Despite its name, it is not actually a divorce, but it legally permits the couple to separate from one another.
A legal separation can occur when one or both spouses have participated in some type of misconduct. Behaviors and actions in this category can include adultery, excessive drug and alcohol abuse, cruel treatment, malicious removal, or intolerable treatment.
A legal separation can be complicated, with many rules and possible options. An experienced family attorney from Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Division can provide you with guidance to ensure you are making the right decision. We will protect your rights and interests. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
In a divorce case, equitable asset allocation is a primary concern. Our experienced divorce attorney will help you understand what constitutes marital assets, divisible property, or separate property, and implications for each during the divorce process.
Generally speaking, marital property consists of belongings you and your spouse purchased during your marriage. Possessions acquired before your marriage will not typically count as marital assets, but as separate property. Divisible property is property you acquired after the date of separation but before the date of distribution.
The details of the assets to be divided are among many factors that affect equitable distribution in a North Carolina divorce. Your attorney can work with you to compile a list of assets and properties you purchased during your marriage so they can be reviewed to determine how they may be fairly and properly divided among you and your spouse.
If you have children and you and your spouse decide to pursue a divorce, the transition into two households will inevitably affect how the children will interact with the parents. In the majority of cases, the time you share with your children will be subject to a visitation schedule, whether they primarily live with you or the other spouse.
Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division will work to protect your rights as a parent, but priority in these matters is given to the best interests of the child.
Our experienced divorce lawyers will pursue a parenting plan that benefits the children as well as both you and your spouse. Contact Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division in Wilmington, NC today to schedule a consultation.
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At Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division, we provide you with multimedia educational resources to help you become informed regarding your Family Law situation. We invite you to explore our library of articles and videos. The better you understand the factors in your case, the more effectively we can work together towards your goals.
Divorce hearings can be scary for anyone. They are even more intimidating if you are getting divorced for the first time. Are you wondering what to expect in divorce court? There is no specific answer. Every case is different and it may present unique challenges and experiences. However, having unclear or unrealistic expectations may lead to disappointments. Ask for help from Wilmington family lawyers. They will help you set your expectations right.
Divorce can be stressful for anyone. It does not matter how bad your marriage was. Remember that all divorce cases are different. Do not expect to have the same experiences that your friends did. Expect to experience a rollercoaster of emotions including:
Divorce court is not as complicated as you may think. Working with your Wilmington family lawyers makes the process simpler. However, you should not expect to stand there while your lawyer does all the work.
You must work with them to get the settlement that matches your expectations. Do not let your fear or anger take over. You must remain calm even when your spouse is lying against you.
Do not expect to “win” in a divorce case. No one really wins in divorce court. Even when dealing with important matters such as alimony, custody, or division of property, you should keep your emotions in check. Note that you won’t always get everything you want.
Hiring a lawyer is a good idea even if you are going through a non-contested divorce. Divorce lawyers give you the legal advice you need to get through the difficult period. Like marriage, divorce is a legal process that should be treated professionally.
A divorce lawyer will protect your rights, interpret legal terms, speed up the process, help you initiate conversations with your spouse, and ensure fairness through the process. Hiring a lawyer should not be seen as an act of aggression.
Even when going through a divorce, you should remember that the children are not getting divorced. You should avoid saying rude or hurtful things to your spouse in their presence. Seek the help of a therapist.
They will help the children process their emotions and get through the process. You should also get co-parenting classes for their sake. The more you fight during a divorce, the more damaging the process can be.
Do not attempt to interfere with the relationship between your children and your spouse unless there is a history of abuse.
If you need the help of Wilmington family lawyers, seek help from Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division. We understand that divorce can be a very personal and sensitive matter. You need the help of good lawyers through the process. We will treat you with respect and high levels of professionalism through the process. Contact us today and book an appointment.
While a family court is a court within the civil court system (in contrast to the criminal court system), when a family court issues an order, the person named in the order is required under law to fulfill the obligations of the order. For example, if a court orders a person to pay child support and they fail to do so, they are in direct violation of a court order and can be penalized as such.
One such penalty for violating a family court order is being held in contempt of court. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Wilmington family lawyers at the law office of the Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division to learn more, and consider the following about what you should know about contempt of court in a family law case in North Carolina:
What Is Civil Contempt of Court?
If a party does not fulfill their family court order, the affected party can file a motion to hold the party in default in civil contempt of court. Such an order may be filed when a party fails to comply with a court order in regards to:
The purpose of filing a civil contempt order is to force a delinquent party to comply with the order.
The purpose of holding someone in civil contempt of court is not necessarily to punish the defendant, but instead to ensure that they comply with the court order. While a person may be incarcerated for up to 90 days initially (and up to one year per North Carolina Statute Section 5A-21, typically, a judge will order payment of any unpaid benefits (child support, alimony, etc.) or garnishment of wages, or take action to require the defendant to comply with the original court order.
In some cases, a person who is in violation of a court order could be held in criminal contempt of court, although a person cannot be found in criminal contempt for the same conduct that landed them in civil contempt. If a person is found in criminal contempt, they may be ordered to pay a fine and may be subject to incarceration.
If your ex-spouse is in violation of a court order, you do not merely have to accept the default. Instead, you have the right to take steps to enforce the court order, including filing a contempt motion with the court and serving the defendant with the motion. In order to ensure that your motion of contempt is filed accurately, it is best to work with a qualified lawyer who has experience managing contempt of court cases. In addition to filing a contempt motion, an attorney can also help you to understand the other options you have for enforcing a court order.
To learn more about how our family lawyers at the office of Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division can help, please call us today or send us a message. We know how emotional and complex family law matters can be, and want to provide you with the representation you deserve.
Not only is filing for a divorce an emotionally demanding process, it is also a legally intensive one. To be sure, in order to file for a divorce, one will need to gather and fill out the appropriate forms, file the forms at the relevant location, ensure that their spouse is served the petition and summons, and then negotiate any issues in a divorce (or go to court to litigate the divorce).
At the office of the Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division, our Wilmington family lawyers are able to help you navigate the divorce process, beginning with collecting and filing the proper divorce-related forms. Here’s an overview of what forms you’ll need to file for divorce in North Carolina:
You can file for divorce in North Carolina without establishing a cause for divorce, other than separation of one year, if:
The following forms can help you to seek an absolute divorce from your spouse, but cannot help you in terms of seeking an award for equitable property distribution, alimony/spousal support, child support, or child custody. The three documents that you will need in order to inform the court of your intent to divorce are:
Once you have filled out these three forms, you must file them with your local clerk’s office and pay the filing fee.
One this step has been completed, the next step is to officially and legally inform your spouse of your intent to divorce. This requires serving your spouse with the complaint and summons (which can be done by the sheriff).
Once your divorce is finalized, two other important forms are the judgment for absolute divorce and the certificate of absolute divorce.
The documents listed above are for those who are pursuing a pro se divorce, which means that they are representing themself during the divorce process. If you are hoping to obtain a judgment from the court in regards to other issues in the divorce, such as equitable distribution or child custody, there are separate forms that you must file, such as a claim of equitable distribution of marital property, or alimony and post-separation support forms.
Navigating the divorce process on your own isn’t recommended, as if you make a mistake during the process, the consequences could be serious. Instead, you should work with a qualified family law attorney, such as those found at the Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division. You can reach our Wilmington family lawyers to schedule a consultation by calling our law office directly, or sending us a message telling us more about how we can be of assistance.
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