The holidays are over and you have reached the decision to separate and get a divorce. Although you cannot actually file for a divorce until after you have been separated for over a year, couples might be more likely to separate in January than in other months.If the day has finally come that you and your spouse need to call it quits, you might be wondering what to do next.Should I move out of the house? (covered in a previously blog post you can read here) How do I handle my … [Read more...]
You’ve Decided to Divorce – Now What? Should You Move Out
The holidays are over and you have reached the decision to separate and get a divorce. First, you are not alone as couples that decide to separate often do so right after the Holiday Season. Although you cannot actually file for a divorce until after you have been separated for over a year, couples might be more likely to separate in January than in other months.There are a few reasons for this. One, people do not want to divorce or separate during the holidays. This may be particularly … [Read more...]
Resolving Disputes Through Mediation or Arbitration
Mediation and arbitration can be a great way to solve traditional legal disputes and can be a less expensive, quicker and more pleasant process than litigation. Mediation and arbitration are considered an informal proceeding in the sense that the parties are not situated in a courtroom with evidence and testimony being presented on the record. These alternatives are not exactly the same and it is important to understand the difference. Mediation has a trained independent third party with no … [Read more...]
The Difference Between Separation, Divorce and Annulment
Most people use the word “divorce” as a catch all phrase when a marriage ends. However, contrary to what many people may believe, divorce is simply the dissolution of the marriage. Divorce is but one part of a family law case, which may also include matters such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and property distribution.There are two types of divorce in North Carolina - Absolute Divorce, which is the dissolution of the marriage, and Divorce from Bed and Board, which is one … [Read more...]
The Relationship Between Drunk Driving and Divorce
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a problem not just in Charlotte, North Carolina, but also across the United States. The problem has become such a societal burden that Utah has decided to lower its blood alcohol concentration limit to .05%, departing from the .08% limit enacted across much of the country. Additionally, many advocates for safer driving conditions are championing efforts to enforce stricter drunk driving laws and strengthen penalties to include the mandatory installation … [Read more...]
Determining alimony in North Carolina divorce cases
Divorcing couples in North Carolina and around the country are often unclear about how alimony is calculated. This is a contentious issue that can derail divorce negotiations and lead to protracted legal battles, but understanding why alimony is ordered and how judges approach the matter could help spouses to avoid this pitfall. Discussing the topic unemotionally is especially important when the spouse initiating divorce proceedings will be receiving alimony payments or one spouse earns … [Read more...]
Study looks at link between workplace and divorce
Farmers and librarians in the Charlotte area may be among the least likely people to get a divorce while people who work in restaurants and hotels may be among the most. A study by researchers at Stockholm University that appeared in Biology Letters on Sept. 25 looked at the connection between a person's workplace and divorce and found that these were the professions with the highest and lowest divorce rates.Primarily, the study was looking at whether people in heterosexual marriages who … [Read more...]
Divorce after age 50 can be hard on someone’s health
Divorcing at or over the age of 50 can be bad for a Charlotte resident's health. This is significant because the divorce rate for people in this age group has doubled since 1990.Researchers at Bowling Green State University have been studying what is called gray divorce for many years and found several explanations for why it is on the rise. These explanations include an increase in the overall U.S. life expectancy, increasing financial autonomy for women and changing societal expectations … [Read more...]
Why some couples might want a prenuptial agreement
Before getting married, soon-to-be spouses in Charlotte might want to consider the benefits of getting a prenuptial agreement. Despite its negative reputation, a prenup can actually open the lines of communication for a couple. For a prenup to be valid, both people must get legal counsel, and neither may conceal any financial assets.A prenup can be particularly important for someone who owns a business, has a blended family or is getting married for the second time. The documents can protect … [Read more...]
More older Americans choose divorce
The face of divorce for people in North Carolina and around the country may be a young couple. However, it is becoming increasingly common for couples in the baby boomer generation and older to choose divorce. Since 1990, the divorce rate among Americans aged 50 and up has doubled. In the same period, the same rate for people aged 65 and older has tripled. There is a wide range of factors that can contribute to this seemingly surprising fact about older Americans' marital relationships.Divorce … [Read more...]
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