Beaufort Estate Planning News

child support spelled out with blocks

Child Support Enforcement: A Closer Look

October 20, 2022

Most child support obligees depend heavily on these payments to make their bills. Yet less than half of custodial parents receive their full monthly child support allotments. So, in most cases, child support enforcement is part of post-divorce life. Frequently, enforcement actions are part of modification actions. Sometimes, enforcement actions are standalone proceedings. Technically, the…

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Top 5 Child Custody Factors in North Carolina

September 15, 2022

Overall, child custody and parenting time orders must be in the best interests of the child. Most good parents agree with that general principle. However, most good parents disagree on specific points. To help translate this rather obscure principle into everyday language, North Carolina law sets forth a number of factors in this area. Some…

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Child standing in front of parent and stepparent

Stepparent Adoption – How Does It Work?

August 15, 2022

For many years, most American children lived in “traditional” households which featured a lifelong married mother and father and their pure biological children. In 2013, the percentage dipped under 50 percent. Today, the proportion is less than 18 percent.  Families headed by remarried stepparents make up most nontraditional households. These families face some additional emotional…

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Amount and Duration of Alimony Payments in Carteret County

August 15, 2022

In the mid and late 2010s, many states, including neighboring South Carolina, significantly revamped their spousal support laws, mostly out of concern over inconsistent determinations in different courts.  Judge A might look at a case and award X amount of alimony, and Judge B might look at the same factors and award nothing. However, aside…

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estate planning after divorce

How Much Child Support Will I Get In A Divorce?

May 5, 2022

The decision to get a divorce is never an easy one to make. The choice can become even more complex when minor children are involved. A parent who is considering leaving their spouse should research how much child support they will get in the divorce prior to making their final decision.  Knowing how much child…

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I’ve Been Served With Divorce Papers – What’s Next?

April 6, 2022

Finding yourself suddenly served with divorce papers can be an unpleasant shock under the best of circumstances and a traumatic surprise in the worst-case scenarios. It is important not to panic, and you don’t make the mistake of ignoring the proceedings. Failing to act, or acting irrationally, can cost you dearly. Knowing what to do…

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What Are The Requirements For Separation In North Carolina?

April 1, 2022

Many adults are unsure of how to proceed when the time comes to dissolve their marriage. The steps to take in order to end the marriage can seem difficult especially if you are unfamiliar with your state’s laws on divorce.  Fortunately, North Carolina has clear guidelines in place for those seeking to end their marriage…

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retirement accounts divorce

Are Retirement Accounts Considered Joint Property In A Divorce?

March 2, 2022

Going through a divorce is an emotionally draining process. Nobody ever wants to think that their marriage will end one day, which is why most people are never prepared when it happens to them. After all, you are parting ways with the love of your life – someone you’ve shared your life moments with for…

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What Is A “Dependent Spouse” In North Carolina?

February 14, 2022

In North Carolina, spousal support is used to describe the different types of alimony that a spouse needs to pay to the other spouse when a marriage ends. However, for a spouse to receive this support, the court must first determine whether they are a “dependent spouse” as defined by the state’s laws.  What Exactly…

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In North Carolina, Who Pays The Attorney’s Fees In A Divorce?

January 21, 2022

Attorney fees can be a contentious issue in any divorce case. In most civil cases in North Carolina, the parties are required to pay their individual attorneys out of pocket in the absence of an agreement to do otherwise. However, with family law cases, North Carolina statutes provide a legal basis for one party to…

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