To be blunt, you need to come up with the money to pay an attorney a flat fee to divorce him. But if you want to get child support that's a separate issue. You can go to child support enforcement on Monday and pay them $25 and they will go after him for child support whether you're divorced or not.

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answered on Jul 11, 2025

If your dad has primary custody and the custody order doesn’t include restrictions about traveling out of state, then his permission is usually enough. Since there’s no mention of needing your mom’s approval for domestic travel and you're not leaving the country, it’s likely you’re... View More

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answered on Jul 10, 2025

This is a deeply challenging situation, and it's clear you're doing your best to care for your child under difficult circumstances. Even while incarcerated, a parent can still have legal rights and responsibilities related to their child, including participating in decision-making when... View More

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answered on Jul 10, 2025

This is an incredibly frustrating situation, and your partner has every reason to be concerned—both financially and as a parent. Since he’s still listed on the lease, he remains legally responsible for any unpaid rent or lease violations, even though he no longer lives at the property. The... View More

You've done a great job laying out some very important facts about your family relationship, and what you believe your husband is willing to agree to. To answer your question: based on what you've stated, it doesn't sound like he has any grounds to kick you out of the house.... View More

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answered on Jul 10, 2025

What you're going through is incredibly difficult, especially after nearly two decades of marriage and with a child still at home. You do have rights, and it’s important to know that your husband doesn’t get to decide the terms of the divorce or child support on his own. Child support in... View More

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answered on Jul 10, 2025

This is an important question, and the answer depends on what your divorce decree or settlement agreement says—if it addressed the house at all. If the agreement didn't set a specific buyout amount or outline how equity would be divided, then you're left negotiating terms now.... View More

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answered on Jul 10, 2025

Your concerns are valid, especially when it comes to your children’s safety and surroundings. While sober living homes often support recovery and can be positive places, they are not typically designed for young children to live or spend extended time in—particularly overnight. If the... View More

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answered on Jul 5, 2025

You can petition the juvenile court for emancipation once you turn 16, but you’ll need to prove you can support yourself and that emancipation is in your best interest given your unsafe home environment.

First, gather documentation showing your income sources, a lease or letter from... View More

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answered on Jul 5, 2025

This situation raises serious legal and emotional complications. If the Affidavit of Parentage has not been legally set aside or rescinded, the man who signed it is still presumed to be the legal father under the law—even if a later DNA test shows he is not biologically related. Until a court... View More

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answered on Jul 5, 2025

If your court order clearly states that child support ends at age 18 and both of your children are over that age and have graduated high school, then your legal obligation to pay current support should be complete. The fact that the state agency issued a refund for overpayments strongly suggests... View More

You can certainly hire an attorney to gain guardianship of your daughter. You need to pick an attorney in the county where she is residing or the county where you reside.

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answered on Jul 6, 2025

Yes, you should report this to law enforcement immediately. In North Carolina, even indirect threats—such as social media reposts suggesting harm—can be taken seriously, especially when there's a documented history of prior violence. If your daughter’s post indicates that your ex is... View More

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answered on Jul 6, 2025

You have the right to seek legal protection under U.S. law as an abandoned spouse, even if you are living outside the country. If your marriage was legally valid and your husband is a U.S. citizen, he may be subject to legal consequences for abandoning you and possibly committing bigamy if he was... View More

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answered on Jul 6, 2025

If the defendant fails to respond to your custody complaint within the 30-day window under North Carolina law, the court can enter a default judgment against him. That means the judge may grant the relief you requested—such as sole legal custody—without his input. However, courts in custody... View More

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answered on Jul 6, 2025

If the child support enforcement website shows that your arrears are \$0, it usually means the state has recorded that you are current on your child support obligations. However, it’s important to confirm whether the \$6,000 in question was ever officially recorded as arrears or if it may have... View More

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answered on Jul 6, 2025

To file for divorce in North Carolina after experiencing abuse, start by preparing and filing a Complaint for Divorce in the district court of your county. Since you have no children, shared property, or obligations, the process can be more straightforward. You can cite separation for one year as... View More

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answered on Jun 25, 2025

You may have grounds to take legal action against your former lawyer if you can show that their actions—or lack of action—directly harmed the outcome of your custody case. Failing to submit critical evidence, like your GAL (Guardian ad Litem) report, may constitute legal malpractice if that... View More

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answered on Jun 16, 2025

Yes, you can petition the court to reopen or amend your divorce decree, but it’s not guaranteed to be granted—especially after such a long time. In North Carolina, equitable distribution of marital property must typically be raised before or during the divorce. If property issues were not... View More

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answered on Jun 11, 2025

If the Consent Order you signed has not been filed with the court and has no judge’s signature, then it is not legally enforceable as a court order. At best, it may be seen as a private agreement, but even then, its weight is limited—especially if you signed it under pressure and without legal... View More