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Questions Answered by Angela L. Haas
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: Am I obligated to pay spousal support to my dependent spouse if they are the one that is initiating the separation?

Wife discovered she is gay. She has a girlfriend and wants to divorce. We have three kids. I understand and am fine paying the child support. However, am I obligated to pay spousal support?

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jan 6, 2023

It all depends on a lot of factors. Based on the facts you've given, the answer is not a definite YES or NO. Consult with an experienced family law attorney, so they can ask you a series of questions, and based on your answers, more questions, and based on your answers, you can get a more... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: How can I remove a non-biological father off of a child’s birth certificate when that individual is fighting me on it?

The biological father wants to be involved & I would like to legally change the child’s name as well & the non biological father is also contesting that.

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jun 3, 2023

if the biological father wants to be involved, then HE needs to file an action for paternity and child custody. The non-biological father will have to be made a party to the action, if he is on the child's birth certificate. After paternity is established, the child's name can be changed,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for North Carolina on
Q: I am filling out estate form 506. The back sections are 0. Everything was willed to me.

So can I assume the front part 1 is also 0 And I am done. Can I mail it in

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jul 10, 2022

The answer to your question depends on who you are, how much was in the estate at the date of death, and where you are in the process. Simply filling out the 506 is not enough. Have a consultation with a probate attorney to make sure you've done everything properly.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: Do we have to go to probate court for all assets on an estate even if we only have questions on a portion of the estate?

My father recently passed away. He did not have a will. My mother is alive and was his legal spouse. Most of the assets are in both of their names. My dad had a life insurance policy on me and one for my sister where he was beneficiary. My mom was not listed on the policies. He had taken out a loan... View More

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jun 28, 2022

You don't have to go to court at all, if your mother will be administering his estate. Have her meet with an attorney as to what to do, as the attorney will want to review all assets and debts related to the estate, before giving any definitive answer. If you or your sister intend to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: Can I force my teenage son to take a paternity test for an alleged child?

My son wants to be involved , but wasn’t allowed to sign birth certificate and is at the mercy of the teenage moms schedule as to when he can see the baby. He is also only allowed to see the baby at her house when it’s convenient for her. My son is so afraid of upsetting the mother that he... View More

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Apr 13, 2022

If he can't access the child, he won't be able to get a paternity test, without a court order. He could (through you as his "guardian") file for custody/visitation of the child, and then it would be up to the mother to prove that his is not the father. Once he has access to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Child Support and Juvenile Law for North Carolina on
Q: Can I be forced to continue financially and legally supporting my 18 year old if he's still in high school?

Long story short: He sexually abused my daughter, threatened to kill me over a misunderstanding, has been convicted (juvenile), is on probation in a sex-offender treatment facility for the last year and a half, and will turn 18 March 24th of this year. He already told me he will most likely... View More

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jan 20, 2022

If you think he will harm your daughter again if he returns, you CANNOT let him back in the home. You may need to contact Child Protective Services, and let them know the situation. Perhaps they can find a foster home for him. Financially, you and his father are still responsible for him. CPS may... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: If I borrowed the loan for the house and the deed is on both names, can I leave that house due to substance abuse.

We also have a 10 yr old child. I want him to leave the house.

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jan 20, 2022

You can leave the house anytime you want. You will still be liable to pay the loan, however. If there is a substance abuse issue, there are other ways to force him to leave (if the right facts apply). Consult with a family law attorney about your options, and take that opportunity to have a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: My family moved from Nyc to North Carolina. We have a will and proxy written in NYC. Does the move invalidate our will

It’s a fairly simple will, no trusts. The only thing that we’re concerned about is beneficiaries as all their addresses have changed as well as ours. Do you see any issues that might arise?

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Feb 8, 2021

Moving does not invalidate the Will, and the addresses were to help determine who the beneficiaries are, in the event they are not known (i.e., there are 6 "Todd Smith's" that it could be - it would be the one that lived at that address at the time the Will was executed). So long as... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: My husband n I live in nc. We lgot married4/210 bought the home 7/2010 he carried mortgage he died 2018 my names notdee

Not on deed No will I paid 71,000, 30,000 we paid for do I own the home

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Feb 8, 2021

You could file as a creditor to his estate estate, and claim that he was holding it in trust for you, pro-rated to take into account the amount you contributed.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: Me n my husband bought home 2010 got married 2010 he died 2018 my name not on deed who owns house

My name is not on deed in error. No will who owned home his kids or me

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Feb 8, 2021

Depends on whether he had a Will, how many children he has, and how much debt he has. If he died without a Will, and the house is not needed to pay any of his debt, and he had more than one child, then you own 1/3 and the kids own the other 2/3.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Health Care Law for North Carolina on
Q: Can I add a 19 year old onto my health insurance at work if I am not a parent, but have full legal custody of her?

She has lived with us since she was 4 months old and we have had custody of her since about 2 years old. We are the only parents that she has really. I am told that in NC she is considered a legal ward and at the age of 18 I can no longer carry her on my insurance. Is this true?

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jan 17, 2021

You cannot carry her on your insurance unless she is your legal dependent. If you haven't been claiming her on your taxes as your dependent, I don't believe you can cover her. Check with your insurance agent to be sure.

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: My x just had a baby. She said the baby is mines, but she is placing it up for adoption. I do not agree. What can I do
Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jan 17, 2021

You must either file to legitimate the child, file for paternity, marry her, or support the child. Supporting the child can be done in many ways. Act quickly though, because your time to act may have already passed, depending on how far along she is in the process. Consult with a family law... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for North Carolina on
Q: My husband and I have had full custody of MY biological grandaughter for 12 years. she is now 13.The biological father

has had his visitation rights terminated. the biological mother could see the child with supervision but has never approached that. neither has seen her since she was 18 months old. She calls us mom and dad but knows her circumstances. she would like to be adopted so that we all have the same... View More

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Sep 24, 2020

You would not have to notify her biological father, if his parental rights have been terminated (you'll need to verify this). You will need to notify her biological mother, and if possible, get her consent. Otherwise, you'll need to have her parental rights terminated as well. Her last... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: My spouse passed away on May 23, 2020. In his will it is stated that everything in the house belongs to me.

Does the executor have the right to come and do an inventory of items in my house. There are no outstanding debts. The executor is also my step son.

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Sep 8, 2020

Yes, for purposes of obtaining a value on the property.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: If there was no will, and no legal guardian after parents death will custody of the children go to the executor ?

-dad adopted child

-child has no legal mother

-dad dies with no will

- daughter becomes executor

- other family member petitions the court to become guardian

Who legally becomes guardian of a minor child and their assets?

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Sep 3, 2020

Guardianship does not happen automatically. You must petition the court to become guardian of the child. The court will most likely chose the person(s) who have a relationship with the child most similar to a parent-child relationship. If you want to be considered, you must petition the court... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Mother-in-law recently passed, living in a trailer under a “lease-to-own” contract. Does my wife have any obligations?

She had not finished paying off the property. Wife is not listed on the lease and there is no will. We do not want the property and are not seeking anything other than to return the property to the owner. Does my wife have any obligations as the next-of-kin and only child?

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jul 23, 2020

Your wife will not be liable for the lease, unless she entered into an agreement beforehand stating that she would pay the monthly amount. I don't see why the owner wouldn't just take it back. I would at least get a copy of the rent to own contract and read what it says, though, just in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for North Carolina on
Q: Hi, My husband and I have been asked to adopt my cousins baby from birth. What is required to do this?

Baby will be born in SC, we reside in NC. Mother desires us to adopt the baby as we are a stable and loving couple and she has been struggling with addiction and is single at 20 years old. We have adopted a relative before through the state of Florida. The difference is that our previous adoption... View More

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jul 14, 2020

She will need to have the child born here in NC, or you will need to go through the ICPC process (which can a lot of time and cause complications). Depending on how far out she is with the pregnancy, you'll also need to be timing a homestudy to be performed. The father can consent to the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: After 9 years of divorce settlement in NC, can ex husband carry you back for your 401k?

I agreed to him paying no child support only paying 1/2 medical expenses that my insurance did not pay. He did not pay his half of the braces that cost 5000.00 stuck me paying his half and my half. So I took him back for child support through DSS. They have been extremely slow in getting him to... View More

Angela L. Haas
Angela L. Haas
answered on Jul 13, 2020

Depends on exactly what your agreement stated. Most likely, since you are most likely divorced now, he will not be able to get to your 401(k), directly. If you breached the agreement, however, the court could order you to pay a certain amount, but could not tell you you had to get it from the... View More

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