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North Carolina Divorce Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: I have land in North Carolina that was gift deeded to only me when married.Does my husband have any legal claim to it ?
Ben Corcoran
Ben Corcoran
answered on May 18, 2023

Without seeing the deed it is hard to know for sure, but he does not likely have any real claim to it.

Generally speaking, should you die before him, he can assert some claims under NC law and he would have to sign any deed should you sell the property. And in a divorce, his claims would...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: I have been separated for 10 years, I am trying to get divorce but I am unsure what type of divorce I should file for.

I moved back to my country 3 months after getting married due to immigration reasosns. My ex filed a peition for me to come back as his spouse but by that time he was already in another relationship. I currently work but also support our child and have been for the past 10 years. He only helped the... View More

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 3, 2023

In North Carolina, there is really only one type of divorce -- "Absolute Divorce." However, when someone files for divorce, child custody and child support aren't automatically included. Also, the appropriate place to file for child custody or child support typically depends on where... View 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... View 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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: How do I contest a divorce?

My husband filed for the divorce and originally I did not contest it. A court date was scheduled for January 31,2022 and the divorce was not granted because I was not properly served. I now feel like I should contest the divorce, but I don’t know if I still have the opportunity to.

Stephen Edward Robertson
PREMIUM
Stephen Edward Robertson
answered on Jan 19, 2023

In North Carolina the requirement for divorce is that parties must have lived separate and apart except in rare circumstances. It requires that only one party needs to have had the intent to live separate and apart. To contest the divorce you would need to show you have not lived separate and... 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
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 Divorce and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Can my husband take my name off property we own together and put his sister on it without my agreement? we are married.

we’ve been separated 12 years. not divorced. she went to the registrar of deeds with a new deed with his and her name on it. my name is there without a signature. they recorded it. is it legal? did i lose my land?

Ben Corcoran
Ben Corcoran
answered on Sep 23, 2022

I would have to review the deed. He may have just conveyed his portion, but if he also tried to convey your portion then fraud was committed, and you should contact the local law enforcement.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: How is a house bought with inheritance money settled in divorce in NC?

We bought a home for cash in NC 7 years ago with proceeds from sale of home in VA, paid off by my husband’s parents estate. Separated since January when I left for a job across the country. He listed the house in late July and we have a buyer and contract, which he just decided not to honor.... View More

Ben Corcoran
Ben Corcoran
answered on Sep 14, 2022

I would need to review the deed to the house to give a definite answer.

However, it is likely that the house is in both your names and you and he own it as tenants in common. He is allowed to live there rent-free, but he is responsible for 50% of all expenses, taxes, utilities, hoa fees,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Support for North Carolina on
Q: Can I apply for child support from spouse after getting separated for 2 years, without getting a divorce?

My spouse and I have been separated for 2 years, can I get a court order for child support for our 4 year old child without applying for a divorce?

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Sep 12, 2022

Sure. There is no requirement that both actions are handled together. However, I do question why you haven't been divorced yet. Many family law attorneys offer a "flat-fee" divorce package that isn't too expensive. Alternatively, you can attempt to file it yourself.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: Me and my wife are separated in NC. Would it look bad on me if another women moved in with me during the separation?
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Aug 1, 2022

Wouldn't be great, but it largely depends on what claims are being raised, and on additional facts (how long have you been separated, did you know this person before you separated). If there is some suspicion that you were being unfaithful on your spouse, this new person moving in will... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: Me and my wife are getting a divorce and we have no kids and no property . What can happen if we both make 40,000
David Allan King
David Allan King
answered on Jun 3, 2022

In theory, if there is no property, alimony, debt, children, etc. to argue over, one spouse would move out and you'd file for divorce after one year of living in separate homes.

In practice, many spouses claim they have no property and this is never the case. Almost everyone has at...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: Do I have the right to leave and keep my 16 month old because she is still nursing?

I want to leave safely. This is a intimate partner violence relationship with emotional/ verbal abuse. He refuses to leave. I want to ensure that if I leave the mortgage continues to get paid as it is in my name. Do I have the right to stay because the mortgage is in my name? I have recordings and... View More

David Allan King
David Allan King
answered on Jun 3, 2022

You are both entitled to live in the marital home, regardless of whose name is on the mortgage, until a court orders otherwise. Emotional abuse is not an actionable legal claim. If there is "marital misconduct", such as violence (or cheating) though, especially if there are medical... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: My spouse and I has signed a divorce agreement. Do I file the agreement with Clerk for an Uncontested Divorce?

Or do I serve him with court documents for a Uncontested Divorce?

David Allan King
David Allan King
answered on Jun 3, 2022

I typically attach a copy of the separation agreement at the end of the initial divorce filings as an FYI. However, most separation agreements are private contracts between the spouses that do not involve the court directly. That is, unless your agreement requires "incorporation" or the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: Do we wait to do a house-buyout when the divorce is final or can we do it at the start of our year long separation?
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on May 31, 2022

You can do it anytime - if the parties agree then it is the best practice to go ahead and get the full agreement in writing and have it formally executed (a Separation Agreement). Then you can just wait for the one year and someone can file for divorce.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: I am currently trying to settle equitable distribution on my divorce. Our major asset is the home.

My husband is allowing me to buy him out. All assets, including the home, value was determined based on date of separation. I paid for the date of separation home appraisal, as instructed to by my lawyer. Now with the home prices fluctuating, the value of the home is being challenged by my... View More

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on May 2, 2022

It would seem that these questions should be directed to your current attorney. That said, if I was representing your husband I would certainly make sure that your buyout reflected the current value of the home.

The gain in value of the home since the date of separation (through passive...
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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law and Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: Divorce during a conditional GC

My conditional GC expires in December this year and I would need to remove the conditions 90 days before it. We have been married since almost 3 years and the marriage certainly was in good faith and we both hoped this will last forever.

However, since past year the marriage has been going... View More

Agnes Jury
Agnes Jury
answered on Apr 28, 2022

It would be best if you were divorced by the time you have to apply to remove the condition or soon thereafter. There is language that can be used as part of the divorce to improve the chances of your removal of condition being granted so I would recommend you consult with a family law attorney who... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: If in my divorce decree if it states , plantiff understands that she is forever discharging any claim against defendant

Or any equitable distribution or martial property by obtaining the divorce prayed herein, can she come back now and make me sale my house and give her half?

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Apr 27, 2022

They shouldn't be able to, unless her name is also on the deed. From your question, you indicate that is it "my" house so it doesn't seem like she is an actual owner.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: In state of nc I am separated for 17 months now. Can I only get half of assets before date of separation?

Can I fight for half of everything to the date we file separation agreement? Specifically everything in our joint bank account and current amount in my spouses 401k.

I have not worked in 16 years am not currently working and would like half of 401k currently not 17 months ago

Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
Mr. Albert Loch Saslow
answered on Apr 4, 2022

Decent bit to unpack here.

You used the term "separation agreement," but also mentioned that you would "file" this document. A separation agreement is a contract between spouses, and typically isn't filed with the court. As it is a contract, the parties can agree...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for North Carolina on
Q: It it possible to withdraw my claim for equitable distribution?

My spouse was already been served, so will my spouse have to agree to have the claim withdrawn?

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

Your spouse plays no role in your decision whether you want to voluntarily dismiss your ED claim. No consent is needed. That said, if your spouse files a counterclaim for ED, then it doesn't matter what you do with your claim. There just needs to be one claim pending.

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