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North Carolina Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: I have a TRO hearing to freeze assets for supporting spouse. What do I need to do to prepare. What will be Court costs.

I have filed a complaint for temporary SS and alimony. I am the dependent spouse. Working hourly part time. And still staying in the marital home. Supporting spouse just got laid of and I suspect he is still in US, address unknown, though claims he is out of the country to live with family who is... Read more »

Stephen Edward Robertson
PREMIUM
Stephen Edward Robertson
answered on Jun 5, 2023

In NC if there is an existing action a filing fee for a Motion in the Cause is $20. If you need a Temporary Restraining Order to protect marital assets make sure that at the time it is filed a hearing is scheduled to occur within 10 days of the filing of the Order. Also your Motion needs to make it... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: At my adjucation hearing 1st time on, CPS filed for non-secure custody on half truths and lies that I can prove...

Says CPS worker saw me alone with my 2.5yr old. Failed to say where or who saw me. It was the supervisor and we were walking at home on the drive. My mother and 7mth old not far behind but around the bend you couldn't see. She willfully failed to discharge her duties to make sure I wasn't... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 28, 2023

You should have presented that evidence in your adjudication hearing for the court’s consideration. If you did not, you may have missed the opportunity to do so.

If you did present that evidence during the hearing, you can appeal the court decision.

As for “filing” against...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: If a man abandons or signs over his rights to a previous daughter, will a judge grant custodial rights of our children?

He was physically active in his previous daughters life for several years then decided to sign over rights because he did not want to pay child support. WE ARE LOCATED IN NC

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 18, 2023

A judge will look at the totality of the circumstances and decide what's in the "best interest" of the child who is the subject of the custody litigation. In theory, terminating a parent's rights for one child could be in that child's best interest, while giving the same... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: I'm the primary legal and physical parent for my children.my current order only stayed I must notify other parent of

Contact information/ address in writing. There are no geographic limits except for traveling for vacation by giving other parent notice and itenary. Does this mean I can relocate out of state at anytime

Nova Levante
Nova Levante
answered on Apr 15, 2023

Based on the information provided, you are the primary legal and physical parent for your children, and the current order only requires you to notify the other parent of your contact information and address in writing. There are no specific geographic limits in the order, except for when you travel... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: I filed to register a foreign order in smithfield do I need to wait for a court date to file a motion to show cause ?

I have custody and my exwife violates the court order constantly

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 5, 2023

When registration papers are filed to register a foreign order, the only issue the new state will usually deal with is whether or not to register the order. Meanwhile, the other state still has jurisdiction over the order until the new state decides that the "foreign" order is now a... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: How do I go about getting a court order to put my childs father on the birth certificate?

I was legally separated for 2 years when my child was born and she is not my ex husbands child. They did not put my ex name on the birth cert but now in order to add her father I need a court order

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 2, 2023

You can file a case in the county where your daughter resides. The biological father will likely need to take a paternity test. If he refuses, the court can order him to.

Once you've satisfied all the court's requirements, the court will declare that the biological father is your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Personal Injury, Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice for North Carolina on
Q: Is my obgyn in the wrong? I may lose my job.

Hello there, so in February 2023 I had a miscarriage which started at my obgyns office-fast forward to now, I never received a follow up call/message/care and made an appointment for 3/28/23 when I went in to discuss post partum depression and to ask the Dr to fill out some hr paperwork and... Read more »

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 2, 2023

In many cases, an ObGyn must refer a patient to a mental health practitioner who is trained and authorized to diagnose or treat postpartum. You would need to consult with an attorney who can assess whether your ObGyn did anything wrong and, if so, what you might be able to do.

As for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: How do I get supervised visitation for my son.
N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 1, 2023

In North Carolina, visitation is considered a type of custody. Anyone who believes they have or should have the right to visitation may sue for custody. Usually, a custody lawsuit must be in the county where the child resides. Like any type of lawsuit, there is special language that needs to be in... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: Can my ex-wife file child support against me for a child she had with a man while we were separated? Raleigh, NC

We have been separated since 2020 and both entered different relationships. My ex wife got pregnant in 2021 by a man and gave birth early 2022. We were finally able to be divorced on 2/2023 but now she is trying to file child support against me. How is this even possible? Could she have legally... Read more »

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Mar 31, 2023

In North Carolina, when a woman gives birth to a child while married to a man, the man is legally the father of the child. It doesn't matter that the man and the woman are separated, only whether they were legally married. A man who doesn't believe he is the biological father of the child... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: My brother died and his girlfriend want let us get his belongings. He has a 16 year old daughter. Who is entitled to it?

All he has is clothes tools and golf cart trailer

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Jan 31, 2023

If a North Carolina resident dies without a will, is not married, and has a child, the child inherits all property. Go to the courthouse to the Clerk of Court Estates Division for the county where he lived when he passed and open up a simple estate for him. Some Estate departments are "by... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: My brother died and his girlfriend want let us get his belongings. He has a 16 year old daughter. Who is entitled to it?

All he has is clothes tools and golf cart trailer

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Jan 31, 2023

I am sorry for your loss.

The disposition of his assets are covered under North Carolina probate law. Someone will need to at least consult an attorney to see how his assets can be distributed. His girlfriend has no legal relationship to him, and therefore has no legal right at all, to do...
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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
PREMIUM
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
PREMIUM
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,... Read 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
PREMIUM
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,... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read more »

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... Read 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.
PREMIUM
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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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?

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Sep 19, 2022

Your bankruptcy attorney needs to review the court Order and any related property settlement agreement to be certain. However, if this was simply a division of property and not an alimony or "support" order, it would be dischargeable in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy bit not in a CHapter 7... Read more »

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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... Read 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...
Read more »

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