Articles Posted in Children

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Dear Carolyn,

Did I walk in a landmine or what?  I married the most wonderful man, but his daughter who lives with us half of the time is a nightmare.  She is disrespectful and disruptive.  She will not clean up after herself.  She is always texting on her phone and homework is left undone.  I do not know if I can take it any longer.  I stay home and her father works.  She is fifteen and in the tenth grade.  I am exasperated.  What can I do?

– Exasperated

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Hello Carolyn,

I have a question regarding grandchildren who are in the custody of the grandparents.

Here is the scenario. My wife and I have legal custody of three grandchildren ages 13, 12, and 9.  We were granted legal custody by the court about 18 months ago.  Before that, we had been granted temporary custody of the children.  We have been given permanent custody because the parents cannot/will not take proper care of the children.  Continue reading →

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Dear Carolyn,

I have a case going on with the Guilford County Department of Social Services.  The social worker advised me not to get an attorney, and that it would be worse for me if I got an attorney, and that I don’t need one anyway.  I feel this was a threat, and that I might lose my child if I get an attorney.  Can I get an attorney?  Should I get an attorney?

– Feeling Threatened

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Dear Carolyn,

I have a sixteen-year-old.  What should I be teaching the sixteen-year-old about managing money, retirement, and financial matters?  My spouse and I have a difference of opinion on this topic and I want to know your thoughts, Carolyn.

Carolyn Answers….

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Dear Carolyn,

It is tax time.  I am divorced and have two children.  I pay $2000 per month in child support, and my ex (the mother) doesn’t even work.  She will not give me the dependency exemptions for the children.  The judge didn’t give them to me either.  They live with her and I visit every other weekend and half the holidays.  I am paying for the children, so why can’t I have the tax benefit?

Perturbed

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Dear Carolyn,

Prom is coming up, and my daughter is a senior.  I want her to have a nice dress for prom, but her father will not help pay for the dress.  I receive $622 per month child support pursuant to a child support order, and our daughter lives mostly with me.  Can I make him pay for at least part of the prom dress?  What can I do?  These dresses are expensive.

Prom Dress Poor

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Joshua Chilton, Legal Assistant

The United States, as a whole, has only allowed same-sex marriage for just over two and a half years. It is law that same-sex couples have the right to marry in the United States of America, but there are some who still struggle with the question of what exactly that entails. Certainly, same-sex couples can be married now, but are they afforded the same rights as heteronormative marriages? Continue reading →

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Toni Maurie Gwynn was a 17-month angel who died July 10, 2013 in Eden, North Carolina. She was found suffocated and strapped to a car seat. Apparently, she had not had food or water for many hours.

The latest “who dun it” was resolved last week with her father Antonio Gwynn pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Continue reading →

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Dear Carolyn,

I believe I am the Father of a son, but the Mother is married to someone else.  I dated Mother while she and her husband were separated, but now they are back together.   We had sex during the time we were dating and the child was born 9 months later—perfect timing for the child to be mine. Mother and Mother’s husband will not let me see the child, and quite frankly, hide him from me.  I want to see my son.  What can I do?  I do not have any other children.

~ Bewildered Father Continue reading →

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Dear Carolyn,

I have been reading the horrid stories about children being left in hot cars. I also have been troubled by my next door neighbor leaving her seven-year-old son alone this summer while she goes to work. I have seen this mother lock the door when she leaves in the morning with the child apparently inside. I do think the seven-year-old has a cell phone.  I don’t like this situation for the seven-year-old who just finished first grade. Is there anything I can do?

~ Danger Lurking Next Door Continue reading →