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North Carolina Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: Can I adopt in NC with ADHD?
Stephen Edward Robertson
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Stephen Edward Robertson
answered on Jan 18, 2023

According to statute in North Carolina any adult may file to adopt a child. If you want to adopt a child the clerk or judge dealing with special proceeding actions will Order a Home Study. The home study will include the following:

physical and mental health, financial information, the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Landlord - Tenant for North Carolina on
Q: I had eviction court on 1-9-23. How long do I have to willingly move out? I don’t wanna get blindsided. Greenville NC.

I haven’t received any notice in the mail stating a certain date to move, but I’ve researched and it’s said something about 5 days from writ of possession and 10 days additional. But I’m still confused on the exact deadline to move out!

Stephen Edward Robertson
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Stephen Edward Robertson
answered on Jan 17, 2023

You have ten days from the date of the entry of the Order to appeal the magistrate's ruling. You file the appeal in the clerk of court's office. That appeal will be heard in District Court. If you do not file the appeal as an indigent, you will need to post a bond. If the ten days pass,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Criminal Law for North Carolina on
Q: Nc child custody lawyer need help. Have to go back and want to know gull extend of options believe been screwed

Had custody case got 5050. Unsure never got a final copy and has been 4 years. Problems have persistent need to go back feel like right have been violated with the case need help going back

Stephen Edward Robertson
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Stephen Edward Robertson
answered on Jan 12, 2023

First you should call the clerk of court to find out if an Order has been entered. You should have been served, but it is possible that an Order was entered without you being served. The clerk will be able to inform you of the status of the case. If there is no actual written Order in the file,... View More

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 Family Law, Business Law and Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: My husband started a business 5 months before we separated.

He used marital funds to purchase equipment for the business, and I have copies of the checks verifying that. On the financial affidavit, he claims that the business started after separation and he used his own money. Can I use the checks to verify that his business started before separation? Is... View More

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Oct 11, 2022

Seems like the answer could depend on when the business entity (if there is one) was actually formed. If it wasn't formed (created) with the Secretary of State until after you separated, then there is an argument that the business wasn't marital. However, if that is the case, then you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Immigration Law and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: my wife is registered in India, we are getting divorce in india, can i sell my home on my name without her signature ?

I

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Oct 3, 2022

Until the divorce is finalized your wife has an interest in the property and would have to sign any deed.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: What should get added to a prenup if you bring a child from a previous marriage?
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Sep 20, 2022

Unfortunately, you likely aren't going to get a clear answer on this type of forum. I would highly suggest that you DON'T try and handle your pre-nup on your own, and instead at least consult with a local family law attorney. I will say that the pre-nup might not have much that is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: If I am ordered responsible for 50% of marital debt during a divorce, can I file bankruptcy if debt not in my name?

All debt in my wife’s name and we are divorcing. If I am responsible for 50% of marital debt and she is filing bankruptcy, how do I file for my half of the debt if it’s not in my name?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 19, 2022

I had this issue in a case in Oklahoma, involving a Colorado bankruptcy, and a Florida divorce.

Your divorce decree/property settlement agreement most probably allocates responsibility for the marital debts, and that is what includes you as a responsible party to the debt. But your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: I need a lawyer? Haha yep I do...
Brad Collins
Brad Collins
answered on Jul 25, 2022

A great place to start is with the North Carolina Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service. LRS member lawyers make themselves available for a one-time meeting at a reduced rate, charging a fee of no more than $50 for an initial 30-minute consultation.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: I have a question about kids and visitation with ex husband.

I asked my ex-husband if he could watch our two kids on July 13 when I go out of town for work (a day trip). He told me no, that he would do nothing extra. He will only see them every other weekend and every other Thursday for dinner. I asked about his two weeks in the summer that is in the child... View More

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on May 25, 2022

No, there really isn't.

The court CAN'T make someone care more about their children, or want to have additional time with them. I suppose it is possible that you could rework your custody schedule so that he has 124 overnights per year (which would change his child support...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: What legal rights do I have when it comes to my disabled mother refusing to eat, drink, or take meds?

I believe she is either severely depressed or has the beginnings of dementia

Ben Corcoran
PREMIUM
Ben Corcoran
answered on May 11, 2022

If you think that your mother can no longer care for herself, then you need to file for guardianship of your mother. This is not a simple process and I would encourage you to get the help of a local attorney.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: My sister and I own a house in North Carolina. My sister passed away. Do her children have any ownership in house.
Anthony M. Avery
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Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 29, 2022

Hire a NC attorney to search the title. It is very possible that both of you owned as Tenants In Common, such that her issue take her one/half interest as Heirs.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: How to 'fix' transferring funds from deceased checking account? (North Carolina)

Just before my father passed, he and I set up a savings account online with me as a joint owner.

We neglected to add me on the checking account.

The day after he passed, a check auto-deposited in the checking account. Thinking I was joint on both, I transferred the money to the... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Apr 18, 2022

The funds in the checking account at the time of death are part of your father's estate. Because this money was transferred after death, it becomes much harder to determine the ownership. To access the account, you will have to go through the probate process and be appointed the personal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: My grandfather died without a will and I was adopted, do I need the adoption papers?

My grandfather died without a will and he owns the house and has a sizable bank account not in my name. He has no heirs other than me. What do I need to do to get them in my name. I was adopted by my biological grandma and he was married to her the moment she passed away and continued to raise me.... View More

Ben Corcoran
PREMIUM
Ben Corcoran
answered on Apr 14, 2022

There are a couple of questions that will need to be answered before I can give you specific advice. Did your grandfather adopt you as well? And second, are you biologically related to your grandfather? If you can answer yes to either of those questions, you can likely get his assets transferred 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 Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: In NC you get half of your spouse’s 401k up yo the current date. I have been separated for 17 months.

If my husband is willing to give me half of his 401k currently not date of separation can he do so?

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Apr 7, 2022

You can agree to any sort of division - whether such a division or more or less than what a court would do by following the statutes. So long as y'all are happy with it, then you can be as creative as you want. Obviously you will want to make sure that the paperwork is property drawn up and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: Can my ex-husband dictate who I date and have around my children?

My ex-husband and I officially divorced in January of 2022. We have two children, aged 10 and almost 5. He's gone from being a very cooperative co-parent to a unreasonable co-parent in a matter of 2 weeks. He is now trying to tell me that my children are not allowed at my house because I live... View More

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Mar 8, 2022

Is there a custody order? Without a custody order explicitly barring either party from exposing the minor children to persons you are dating, there shouldn't be anything stopping you from dating who you want to date and acting in the manner you seem to do doing. That said, there does need to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: is it legal for my parents to keep me at home until i graduate even though i will already be 18

i will be 18 in december and i want to move out but i will still have 1 year of high school left. my parents told me i couldnt move out till i graduate. do they have the right to keep me from moving out until i graduate even tho i will already be 18.

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Jan 24, 2022

You legally can move out since you are 18, but if you do, your parents could easily stop supporting you, so this is a decision you will have to think carefully about.

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 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

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