When a marriage ends, people brace for the hard conversations. How will custody work with the kids? How will the money be divided? Who gets what pet? And what life might look like next.
What people don’t always prepare for is the feeling of being watched, of realizing an ex somehow knows things they have never been told. Continue reading →
We will discuss how the North Carolina Court of Appeals resolved important issues concerning Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPOs) in a 2025 case, Williams v. Cabrera, No. COA23-826 (N.C. Ct. App. Apr. 16, 2025). Continue reading →
When you hear of someone committing an act of domestic violence, what do you imagine? A physical confrontation? A threat? While that is often the reality, it might not always be the full picture. Continue reading →
The purpose of a domestic violence protective order is to keep people safe, but safety isn’t something a court can provide simply on request. The process demands evidence, scrutiny, and a finding that the legal standard has actually been met. Sometimes, even when the allegations are extremely serious, that finding never comes. Continue reading →
The new film Michael has renewed public interest in one of the most influential entertainers in history. Audiences will undoubtedly leave theaters talking about the music, the performances, and the controversies that surrounded Michael Jackson’s life. As an experienced family lawyer in the Triad, Greensboro, and Guilford County, I was inspired by the movie to write this blog about domestic violence. Continue reading →
Domestic violence is not always physical. Sometimes domestic violence takes the form of repeated threats and unwanted messages that leave another person feeling terrified for their life. Continue reading →
Most people assume that if someone lives in another state, they can’t be brought into court in North Carolina (or wherever you live). But family law is rarely that simple. When children are involved, courts look closely at a parent’s connections to the state and whether their actions had an impact there. That’s exactly what the North Carolina Court of Appeals addressed in Ziegler v. Ziegler. Continue reading →
Domestic violence is a serious matter, and protective orders are a critical legal instrument for safeguarding the most fundamental rights of individuals. While protective orders are common, issuing them still requires following a procedure that must meet strict legal standards if the order is to stand on appeal. Continue reading →
Nobody gets married thinking they will one day be sitting in a courtroom, arguing over who is better fit to take care of the kids. However, in cases where relationships fail, family courts focus primarily on determining which parent can truly give their children a secure and stable home. Continue reading →
By Paul K Mengert, II, JD
Moving out is not a good first step to divorce.
Moving out can seem like the obvious first step to ending an unhealthy relationship. But moving out has many potential repercussions for married individuals in North Carolina, making it an impulsive and bad decision. Continue reading →
North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Blog