We will discuss the North Carolina Court of Appeals case Fitzgerald v. Fortner (2024) and explain the key issues of juvenile court jurisdiction, child custody transfer, and standing in custody disputes. You will see why the court vacated a Chapter 50 custody order and what the statutory requirements under North Carolina family law are. 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 →
We will discuss the Mecklenburg County, o/b/o Herron v. Pressley case, and how the North Carolina Court of Appeals reversed a trial court order and modified the father’s child support obligation. Continue reading →
Divorce is hard enough to get through on its own, but when you’ve worked hard and sacrificed years of your life to build a business together, it can feel like you’re tearing down everything you’ve worked for. Continue reading →
Every March, Women’s History Month offers an opportunity to recognize the individuals who helped shape the institutions that guide American life today.
In the past, women were not allowed to practice law in courtrooms, attend law schools, or join bar associations. However, a committed group of trailblazers overcame these obstacles, paving the way for future generations of female lawyers and judges.
Their accomplishments increased access to justice and changed the American legal system. In the US today, 41% of attorneys are women. Even though it took over a century to make that progress, it started with a few revolutionary “firsts” that fundamentally altered the field.
Most marriages don’t end because of one dramatic moment. They end because one person gradually stops engaging in the relationship, and as it turns out, some spouses carry that same habit straight into the courtroom. Continue reading →
Co-parents who weaponize their children don’t always get away with it, and Hasz v. Brittain is proof of that. Continue reading →
The 2024 Sunshine v. Sunshine decision of the North Carolina Court of Appeals clarified how courts should handle income imputation in divorce cases. Continue reading →
North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Blog