Plaintiff Jolin Brady (“Mother”) and Defendant Erron Brady (“Father”) were married on April 26, 1997. Father and Mother had four children. Father was in undergraduate school at Brigham Young University when the parties married. While Father was in dental school, Mother worked as a paralegal and then stopped working when…
Articles Posted in Child support
The Family Law Process, Part 3
Everyone has seen a hearing on TV, but very few people know the process that leads up to that hearing. 95% of family law cases get settled before they even go to trial. Family law cases can be very stressful, but knowing what’s coming next can help lessen that stress.…
The Family Law Process, Part 2
Everyone has seen a hearing on TV, but very few people know the process that leads up to that hearing. 95% of family law cases get settled before they even go to trial. Family law cases can be very stressful, but knowing what’s coming next can help lessen that stress.…
Civil Procedure – Summary Judgment v. Rule 12 Motion
Blue v. Bhiro, 2022-NCSC-45 (2022) In North Carolina, our Rules of Civil Procedure govern many aspects of civil trials. This includes the vast majority of the actions you will see incident to divorce and separation, such as child custody, child support, alimony, and equitable distribution. Under these rules, there are…
Family Law: Doing It Fast or Doing It Right
Wayne Hopper, Legal Assistant When an issue is winding its way through the court system, you may feel as if time stands still. Family law cases can be especially trying due to the emotions they elicit and the time it takes to see them through to the end. Family law…
Stipulations of Fact and of Settlement
Maddukuri v. Chintanippu, 2022-NCCOA-128 (1 March 2022) Stipulations are often used to expedite portions of a case/trial so that there is no time wasted on them, allowing the court to focus on the issues that are actually in contention. The use of stipulations of fact is pretty common. It removes…
Lewis v. Lewis – Substantial Change in Circumstances
Defendant Mother appeals from the trial court’s order on child support and custody. The Court of Appeals reverses and remands. Plaintiff Father and Defendant Mother married on January 1, 1994. The parties had two sons and separated on May 10, 1997. The parties’ divorce judgment was filed on August 17,…
De Facto Emancipation
Morris v. Powell, 840 S.E.2d 223, 269 N.C.App. 496 (N.C. App. 2020): North Carolina has very recently decided a case of first impression regarding “de facto emancipation.” Emancipation is typically one of the listed termination events for child support. This is when a child, who has not yet attained the…
Civil Contempt Versus Criminal Contempt
HIRSCHLER V. HIRSCHLER, 2021-NCCOA-690 (2021). Plaintiff and Defendant were awarded joint custody of their minor child. Plaintiff had primary physical custody, and Defendant was given extended summer visitation from June 1 to July 10 for each calendar year. Important to note, Plaintiff resided in North Carolina, while Defendant lived in…
Clinton Portis and Child Support
Ex-football star Clinton Portis is in hot water for non-payment of child support. Portis was a second-round pick by the Denver Broncos back in 2002, then was traded to Washington. He is also a two-time Pro Bowler whose NFL earnings exceeded $43 million during his career until he retired in…