North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Blog

Articles Posted in ClientVille

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1.  What is the date of marriage?  Prior to October 2014, same-sex couples could not marry in North Carolina. But what date of marriage will North Carolina recognize if the same-sex couple was earlier married or entered into a civil union in some other state before October 2014?   The date of marriage is obviously critical in equitable distribution as marital property is created from the date of marriage to the date of separation.  The North Carolina legislature has not dealt with this important date of marriage issue (civil union date) where the couple married (created a civil union) in another state prior to October 2014.

a. Arguably, the date of marriage is the date of the marriage license and ceremony in a state that recognized same-sex marriage on the actual date of the marriage.  North Carolina should recognize that original marriage date because the couple could return to the state of the marriage and get a divorce.

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by Jon Csuka, Attorney, Woodruff Family Law Group
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-News Release-

Take note that Guilford County is participating in a pilot program with regard to the e-filing of 50-Bs/DVPO. We are the first county in the State to put these procedures into place.

All 50-B complaints will be E-filed from the Family Justice Center located at 201 S. Greene St., 2nd Floor, Greensboro, NC 27401, (336) 641-SAFE (7233). I was able to go to the FJC for the grand opening. If you have an opportunity to go over and get a tour it would be a good thing – it will be a tremendous resource for victims of domestic violence. It is located directly across the large courtyard in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse on Greene Street.

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I look at success as achievement of goals at three points in time. Time is the magic gift that we all have, and we must use time wisely.  There is success at the current moment and being in the now. There is success for intermediate goals, perhaps those to be accomplished this year. Then there are those long-term goals of continuing to reinvent me and adapt to the changing world. Continue reading →

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By: Carolyn Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA
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We have an uneventful Delta flight from Kennedy Airport leaving around 4:30 PM in New York (KJFK) to Moscow (KSVO) arriving around 9 AM. Dwight Ensley (my husband), Alosha and I are greeted at the Moscow Airport by Arina Demina, soon to be a Russian lawyer and to be our guide for the week. She is holding pink hydrangeas and roses, which she gives to me. Arina welcomes Alosha and me as Dance Legends. There are 4600 miles between us and New York City and a seven-hour time difference. I hope this week to explore many legal issues related to family law, as surely there is a solution for the children of the world and state interference with families and children. Continue reading →

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By Carolyn J. Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA
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In Greensboro, a same sex couple can go to the Register of Deeds in Guilford County and obtain a North Carolina Marriage License.  There are also Register of Deeds in the Piedmont Triad in Lexington, Asheboro, Graham, Wentworth, Roxboro, Yanceyville, and Winston Salem that provide the same product and service, a Marriage License.

Recently, and notably, Ireland has had a national referendum and said “yes” to same sex marriage.  Ireland has long been a stronghold and defender of the Catholic faith, which has been a citadel of opposition to gays, lesbians, and of course same sex marriage.

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By Carolyn J. Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA
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Today, let’s deal with the “date” wardrobe you should build over time (depending on your budget). This wardrobe selection is for Summer 2015 for dinners out, movies, theater, concerts and similar activities.

Find your own look and make it your own.  Be creative.  It will make you feel good about yourself.  Be your own person and have your own identity.  Here are some suggestions: Continue reading →

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By Carolyn J. Woodruff, North Carolina Family Law Specialist, JD, CPA, CVA
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In North Carolina, estate planning can be difficult with the high divorce rate.  Most who are estate planning want the property to go where it is intended.  The gift tax annual exclusion for 2015 is $14,000 per donor per donee.   This means a married couple can, together, give $28,000 to a son.  If they also make a gift to the daughter-in- law, that means $28,000 times two or $56,000 can be transferred from a married couple to a son and his wife, for example.  Great estate planning, but what happens when the donees get a divorce. Continue reading →

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DanceSport Photography by Alex Rowan

Whether you are in North Carolina or in any other place, your recovery from a stressful divorce, family law, juvenile or custody case is extremely important.  It is important that you recover mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, financially, and spiritually.   This blog will address the grieving process of divorce and then make the “bucket list” suggestion that should assist with mental, emotional, and perhaps physical recovery.  Stay tuned for other blogs on other types of recovery, such as financial. Continue reading →

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Many prospective clients come to us with the question about “what does it really take to win my custody case in North Carolina?”  This raises the interesting question of what is a “win” in custody of a minor child.  “Winning” means different things to different parents.  For some parents, it is quality visitation.  For others, it is primary responsibility for the physical well-being of the child.  For some, it is fifty-fifty or bust!  The goal for all parents should be to keep the best interests of the child as the polar star—a guiding light.  Another valuable goal is to reduce the conflict surrounding the child in this time of change in the family.  A premise of this blog is that both parents are good people and good parents.  Future blogs will address unfit parents, grandparents and social services issues. Continue reading →