Separation means preparing for life on different terms. We’re getting away from the life we’ve known and stepping into an entirely new phase. In North Carolina, a separation agreement allows couples to address the practical details of their separation in writing. This contract can cover everything from parenting schedules to property and financial arrangements. If you're separating, taking the time to create a Read More

Whether you're starting a new job, moving closer to extended family, or trying to build a better future for your children, the idea of relocating can come with mixed emotions, especially when you share custody or visitation responsibilities. Co-parenting brings its own challenges, and adding distance between homes can complicate things quickly. If you're considering a move, it's important to understand what the law Read More

When a relationship reaches a breaking point, deciding what to do next isn’t easy. Some couples head straight into divorce. Others need time, space, or a different approach. In North Carolina, legal separation offers that middle ground. It gives spouses the chance to live apart, sort through practical issues, and decide what their future looks like—together or not. Legal separation can be temporary, or it can last Read More

Raising a child is a shared responsibility, even when parents live in separate households. When you’re going through a separation or divorce, understanding how child support is calculated in North Carolina can help you make informed decisions throughout the process. The goal isn’t to create conflict but to create stability for your child and clarity for both parents. When you know what to expect, building a Read More

There’s nothing like a North Carolina summer. From spending time out on Lake Norman, a trip to the mountains, a visit to the Outer Banks, and everywhere in between, our state has it all. Summer brings a welcome break from the school routine, but for co-parents, it also introduces some challenges in being able to get to it all. Coordinating vacations, camps, and family time while keeping things smooth for your Read More

Stepparents step into a child's life with love, patience, and dedication, often taking on the same responsibilities as a biological parent. Many stepparents are the ones who help with homework, attend parent-teacher conferences, and stay up at night comforting a sick child. They provide guidance, emotional support, and stability—yet, without legal adoption, their parental role remains unofficial in the eyes of the Read More

North Carolina families support each other. Our state is full of loving, caring, and supportive individuals who have grown because of their families and give back to their families with a communal mindset. But, what is unfortunate is that our aging loved ones are often neglected in times of need. Too often, older family members are left out of planning conversations, even if they are cared for in the home. Our Read More

A marriage is a commitment, but those commitments don't always last forever. Life happens. Things change. Sometimes, you build a life together that is ultimately no longer tenable, and the differences between you and your ex-spouse can no longer be ignored. When you got married, two became one. When you get divorced, one becomes two. Spousal support (often referred to as alimony) is a tool the courts will often use Read More

In North Carolina, sole custody and primary custody are two terms that relate to child custody arrangements, but they have distinct meanings: 1. Sole Custody:- Definition: Sole custody means that one parent has exclusive decision-making authority over the child’s major life decisions, such as education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.- Physical Custody: While the child may live primarily with the custodial Read More

You and your spouse made a commitment to each other the day you agreed to get married. When you learn that your spouse has broken that commitment and sought comfort with another person, it's a shocking and often demoralizing experience. In most states, you have few or no legal options to pursue the person who "homewrecked" your marriage... But you do in North Carolina. North Carolina is one of just six states that Read More