Triangle Smart Divorce

A parent not paying child support can be incredibly frustrating, but it does not give the other parent the right to withhold visitation.

In North Carolina, child support and custody are treated as two separate legal issues. If child support isn't being paid, there are legal remedies available to enforce the order. Violating a custody order, however, can create additional problems for your own case.

One of the best ways to minimize your legal fees is by getting your documents organized from the start.

Sending complete records, avoiding screenshots, naming files consistently, and using your firm's secure document portal all help your legal team spend less time searching for information and more time working on your case.

The more organized your information is, the more efficiently your case can move forward.

Injunctions and restraining orders are legal tools the court can use to stop someone from taking a specific action or require them to take one while a case is pending.

These orders are typically reserved for situations where waiting for a final hearing could result in harm that cannot be undone.

In family law cases, they can play an important role in protecting people, children, or property until the court has an opportunity to hear both sides.

Deferred compensation isn't always easy to spot.

Some forms of compensation, such as long-term incentive plans or deferred bonuses, may not appear on a paycheck even though they can have significant value. That's why it's important to understand a spouse's full compensation package, not just their salary.

Employment agreements, offer letters, and compensation plans can all provide important information when identifying these assets.

Life insurance is often part of divorce discussions, but there are important details that are easy to overlook.

Beneficiary designations, policy ownership, and the language in your agreement can all have a significant impact on what happens in the future. That's why it's important to think beyond simply requiring life insurance and consider how it will actually work if it's ever needed.

Equitable distribution is the process of dividing marital property and debt during a divorce.

In North Carolina, "equitable" does not automatically mean a 50/50 split. The court distinguishes between marital property and separate property when determining what is subject to division.

Equitable distribution can include assets and debts such as homes, retirement accounts, vehicles, bank accounts, and more, making it one of the most significant parts of many divorce cases.