Child support enforcement in North Carolina often raises questions about wage withholding and when it is required, and whether the courts can allow alternative payment methods instead. As you will see in Price v. New Hanover County Child Support o/b/o Murray-Price, the North Carolina Court of Appeals has addressed these…
Articles Posted in family law attorney
Ex-Spouse or Current Spouse: Who is Entitled to Survivor Pension Benefits?
Retirement funds can be distributed between spouses as part of property distribution during divorce, and this includes naming one ex-spouse the beneficiary of the other’s survivor pension benefits. In some cases, this process is fairly straightforward; the beneficiary receives the survivor benefits upon the death of the pension plan participant.…
A Message Every Parent in the Triad Needs to Hear
By Cheri’ Reaves, NCCP After a deep conversation with a close friend, I felt the need to share something urgent. We were talking about children, technology, and how early they’re being introduced to smartphones, tablets, and social media. This isn’t just about screen time—it’s about real dangers lurking behind those…
Can Wives Be Forced to Pay Alimony in North Carolina?
Historically, the husband was considered to be the breadwinner of the household. Even when women began working outside the home, husbands typically earned more money. Since alimony is largely based on the income and earning capacity of spouses, the most common arrangement was for men to pay support to their…
What Sources of Income are Used to Calculate Child Support in North Carolina?
Regular employment income is not the only type of income that can be used to determine child support obligations in North Carolina. The state’s child support guidelines allow a variety of financial sources to be considered as income for support purposes, including salaries, wages, commissions, dividends, pensions, trusts, unemployment benefits,…
Can North Carolina Custody Orders Include Self-Executing Modifications?
Self-executing modifications are provisions within a contract or order that amend the terms upon a specified event that may occur in the future. The legality of these provisions varies from state to state; some states have determined that self-executing modifications are typically illegal, and others have yet to make any…
What types of property can be subject to equitable distribution?
How to divide marital assets and property is one of the most hotly-contested aspects in divorce proceedings, and the principal of equitable distribution governs the process of this division. While dividing up assets like a house, car, or other tangible property may seem simple enough, there are other assets like…
A Season of Tension: Understanding and Addressing Holiday Domestic Violence
For many, the holiday season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and shared memories. However, this time of year can also be rife with challenges, especially for those dealing with forms of domestic violence. Studies and advocacy groups report an increase in incidents of domestic violence around the holiday…
Marital vs Personal Property in NC Divorce Proceedings
In the intricate world of family law, the equitable distribution of assets during a divorce can often lead to contentious disputes. A notable example is the case of Roberts v. Kyle, Executor of the Estate of Roberts. This case sheds light on the challenges courts face when determining the classification…
Can bankruptcy prevent you from recovering a spouse’s pension?
Bankruptcy can complicate family law proceedings, especially when trying to determine what assets will be distributed. Normally, bankruptcy can be used to shield certain properties from being included in divorce proceedings. However, certain types of assets will not be excluded because of one spouse declaring bankruptcy. If your former partner…