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By Diana Westrick, Legal Assistant, Woodruff Family Law Group
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I always enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. To me, the holiday represents a celebration of the Irish culture: a culture that is bombarded mostly with beer, shamrocks, and the color green.  Don’t get me wrong, I am an annual participant.  However, a few years ago, I had the opportunity of traveling to Ireland to participate in their annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and ended up discovering and experiencing the true essence of the holiday.  I also came to a realization that while our Irish-themed celebrations are meant to act as a tribute, and are a lot of fun, the American-version of St. Patrick’s Day has it all wrong.

Read on for some debunked “myths” about the lucky holiday, so that you may be the wisest of your clan. Continue reading →

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By: Dana Horlick, Attorney, Woodruff Family Law Group
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Imagine after being happily married to your spouse for 20 years, you find out he or she filed for a divorce shortly after your marriage. Not only did they file for a divorce without saying a word to you, but they did so in a different country. Your spouse didn’t just go down to the courthouse here in Guilford County; they went to the Dominican Republic. Your first reaction will likely be shock and a sense of betrayal. What next? Consulting an experienced divorce attorney to determine your rights and the next steps to take. Continue reading →

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By: Dana Horlick, Attorney, Woodruff Family Law Group
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It’s that time of the year again, divorce season. The beginning of the year is the most popular time to file for divorce nationwide, not just here in Greensboro. Maybe it’s the end of the holiday season, the cold weather, being stuck in the house, or the kids being home for winter break. Whatever the reason, couples tend to file for divorce around this time of the year. In the process leading up to deciding to file for divorce, numerous factors are taken into consideration. One important factor likely taken into consideration is the cost of a divorce. Like anything else, divorce costs money and can be quite expensive. Divorce in the United States averages between $15,000 and $20,000. That is a hefty price tag to take on when ending a marriage. Continue reading →

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By Tina Ray, Legal Assistant, Woodruff Family Law Group
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Change is a four-letter word. Actually, we all know it’s six letters, but to some, it sometimes has the connotation as some of the more well-known four letter words that some of us use daily.  One of the definitions from www.dictionary.com is: “to make a material difference so that the thing is distinctly different from what it was.” All families go through change, both good and bad.  How one copes with that four-letter word can mean the difference between surviving, or barely hanging on.  You are responsible for how your children learn to handle change.  You set the example.  Make the difference.  Your children learn by example, so make that learning experience positive. Continue reading →

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by Carolyn J. Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA, North Carolina Family Law Specialist
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The North Carolina Premarital Agreement Act describes the law for the creation of valid, enforceable premarital agreement.  The North Carolina Premarital Agreement Act is under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 52B. This will be one of several articles discussing the North Carolina Premarital Agreement Act. Continue reading →

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By Amy Setzer, Legal Assistant, Woodruff Family Law Group
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Spending Valentine’s Day as a new member of the Triad Singles Guild could be more traumatic than your divorce–if you let it.  Friends plan gushy evenings at Christopher B’s. Flowers appear on desks at work.  The children’s tiny, perforated Minion cards taunt you from their WalMart bag.  To top it all off, Hallmark has once again left no Walgreens untouched—their lovey-dovey hearts and candy are delicate lace reminders of how you failed at love.  The pressure to be part of a pair is everywhere. Do not give in! Continue reading →

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By Diana Westrick, Legal Assistant, Woodruff Family Law Group
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Listen up, Greensboro! Single does not have to equal lonely. In fact, it is the time that we update our definitions and expectations to what being single truly signifies: independence, opportunity, and a bounty of love available to share.  While the upcoming “love holiday” can often remind us of what past relationships are missing, or what current relationships are lacking, Valentine’s Day can also provide an opportunity to acknowledge the value of those relations often overlooked; connections that can hold much more value than those of the romantic-sort.

Read on for a listing of Valentine’s events to share with your other, significant others. Continue reading →

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by Carolyn Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA, North Carolina Family Law Specialist
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Had my Dad lived, he would have been 100- years-old today!  Instead, he’s having some birthday cake in Heaven.  My Mom survives and is here on Earth.  While I am the older of their two biological children, they were older parents when I was born.  I thought I’d take a day to remember him and all he meant and means to me.  I’ll also use this as a time to opine on “family of origin”. Continue reading →

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By Carolyn J. Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA—North Carolina Family Law Specialist
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One of my favorite stars is Gwen Stefani. She manages a life of motherhood, career with celebrity status, and fashion.  And, now she has just completed a divorce with her thirteen-year marriage to Gavin Rossdale, which produced Apollo (almost two); Kingston (age 9) and Zuma (age 7).  Rumors swirl that Gavin had an affair with the nanny, and Gwen apparently found nude photos of the nanny and plans for Gavin and the nanny to meet for sex—all found on the family iPad. The information on the family iPad yielded an abrupt end to this marriage.  Gavin had naughty behavior that uploaded from his iPhone to the cloud and downloaded to the linked family iPad. Continue reading →

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By Dana Horlick, Attorney, Woodruff Family Law Group
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Most separated couples probably do not think about complex jurisdictional issues when they are deciding child custody issues. Maybe the schedule is one week on, one week off, with the parents alternating weeks wherein they have sole physical custody of the child for a particular week. Maybe one parent has to move cross-country for a job opportunity, so instead the schedule is split around school with the child living with one parent during the school year and the other on summer vacation. These seem to make sense, dividing the custody of the child in the way that allows both biological parents to take an active role in raising their child. When the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Treaty is involved with parents in different countries, the issues become very complex very fast. Continue reading →