Knowing how long you can expect the divorce process to last can help you prepare for life after the divorce is final. Once you have decided to divorce, your first question may be, “Just how long is this going to take?” Understandably, you look forward to putting the divorce behind you and moving forward with your life. Few people relish the thought of spending months in court. As North Carolina divorce lawyers, we’re aware that our clients want to plan for the future. Knowing how long you can expect the divorce process to last can help you prepare for life after the divorce is final. Factors That Influence the Divorce Process Like other legal proceedings, divorce is a type of lawsuit. Because there are opposing parties with conflicting interests, getting to a resolution isn’t always easy or fast. Although your lawyer can give you a general idea of how long the case is likely to last, the trajectory of the case is still dependent on the actions and behaviors of the other … [Read more...]
Raleigh Divorce Lawyer Says How Dating Can Affect Your Divorce
North Carolina Family & Divorce Lawyer ExplainsAlienation of Affection & Criminal Conversion Many people wonder whether it’s okay to date while they are going through a divorce. There are many reasons why you may wish to date during the divorce process. Maybe you and your spouse have lived apart for months, and your relationship ended a long time ago. Understandably, you may wish to move on with your life. It’s also understandable to wonder if dating during divorce could negatively impact your case. As Raleigh North Carolina divorce lawyers, we help people from all walks of life navigate the complexities of divorce. Each case is different, and what works in some divorces may not work in others. Before you decide to date, it’s best to discuss your concerns with an experienced North Carolina family law attorney. How Dating Can Affect Your Divorce In North Carolina, divorce is a no-fault process, which means the reason for the divorce doesn’t have to be based on a spouse’s … [Read more...]
North Carolina Divorce Lawyer Discusses “Is January Divorce Month?”
It’s hard to believe that the New Year is already well under way. If you’re still cleaning up from the holidays and struggling to get back into the swing of work and other responsibilities, you’re definitely not alone. According to psychologists, post-holiday depression is a real condition that affects many people. As the end of the year wraps up and the New Year begins, many people also decide it’s time to end their marriage. You might have heard of a “January divorce boom,” but is there anything to it? Actually, there is. Data from a study performed at the University of Washington reveals that divorce filings really do spike in January. The study also showed that divorces surge in March and again in August. Divorce numbers also increase in January in the U.K., with one in five couples in Britain saying they plan to divorce after the holidays. Studies show that many people put off filing for divorce until after the holidays, as they don’t want to interrupt family gatherings … [Read more...]
Raleigh Divorce Lawyer Discusses Children Testifying in Divorce Cases
It’s very important for both parents to be careful about doing anything that makes the child feel like he or she is taking sides For parents going through a divorce, the prospect of having their children testify in court is often frightening or stressful. Understandably, they worry about their kids — especially very young children — experiencing trauma or fear in an intimidating courtroom setting. Although children aren’t required to testify in custody or divorce proceedings, it’s sometimes helpful for the case if they do. If you’re worried about how your child will handle testifying in court, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your North Carolina divorce lawyer. Your attorney can help you explore your options and make arrangements for the experience to be less stressful for you and your child. Having a Child Testify Away from the Courtroom Raleigh North Carolina divorce lawyer Lori Vitale explains: “In some states, the law sets a minimum age for children to have … [Read more...]
The Next Generation of Family Law
source: https://www.bestlawyers.com/article/the-next-generation-of-family-law/1035 For 16 years, Lori Vitale practiced family law first as an associate, and then as a partner at a well-established Raleigh law firm. But in 2011 she struck out on her own, starting a law firm that focused exclusively in the area. That firm, Vitale Family Law, has since been ranked Tier 1 in Raleigh for family law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” 2017, a remarkable achievement for a firm that opened its doors just five years ago. “At my previous firm I had a number of very knowledgeable mentors, so when it came to starting my own firm, I wanted to emulate what I had learned from them,” Vitale says. “I’m very proud of how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time, and the root of that growth has really been the strong mentoring I received early on in my career.” Indeed, Vitale has long been recognized as an authority in her field. Since 2001, she has been board certified as a family … [Read more...]
Johnny Depp Agrees to Pay Amber Heard $7 Million. North Carolina Divorce Lawyer Discusses Divorce Settlements
After some apparent feet-dragging, Pirates of the Caribbean actor Johnny Depp has agreed to pay his ex-wife Amber Heard the $7 million settlement the couple agreed to in their divorce. One report says Depp initially balked at giving the money directly to Heard, but has since agreed to pay her rather than a third party. The couple, who were married for 15 months, have agreed to settle their divorce privately after Heard alleged that Depp had been physically and verbally violent toward her numerous times, including striking her in the face with a mobile phone. In her motion for a domestic violence restraining order, Heard included photos showing her with a bruised face and cut lip. Heard has stated that she will donate the entire $7 million settlement to charities that help victims of domestic violence. Although most divorce cases do not unfold in the public eye in such a manner, the case has drawn attention to the important issue of domestic violence, particularly how polarizing … [Read more...]
Raleigh/ Durham NC Divorce Lawyer Answers: Do I Have to Get a Divorce to End My Same-Sex Marriage?
It’s important to closely examine what type of legal arrangement you entered into Prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, the status of same-sex marriage in the United States was like a patchwork quilt. Some states allowed it, others did not, and a handful of states permitted something in-between, such as a domestic partnership or declaration of mutual commitment. As of 2015, however, same-sex marriage is recognized by all 50 states due to the Court’s ruling that the Fourteenth Amendment requires all states to recognize valid marriages performed in other states regardless of the gender of the parties. As a result, some same-sex couples have asked if they are required to obtain a divorce if they wish to end their marriage. The answer, explains North Carolina divorce lawyer Lori Vitale, is, “Yes, however, same-sex couples should first determine what type of legal union they have before filing for divorce. If you entered into some type of domestic … [Read more...]
Who Pays Credit Card Debt in a Divorce? North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Educates
If you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, you may be wondering how credit card debt is divided in a divorce. An experienced Raleigh divorce lawyer can help you explore your options says Raleigh Vitale Family Law, Whether you have a little or a lot, you want to make sure you get a fair result. An experienced North Carolina divorce lawyer can help you explore your options. Got Debt? You’re Not Alone If you and your spouse have a lot of credit card debt, rest assured you are not alone. The average American household has over $15,000 in credit card debt. When you’re facing a divorce, having a debt cloud looming over your head can make it seem like you will never be able to put your bills behind you. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure you’re not stuck paying your spouse’s credit card debts. There are also ways to reduce your overall financial obligations. If you and your spouse have significant debts, it’s important to work with a knowledgeable divorce … [Read more...]
Raleigh Child Custody Attorney Vitale Family Law Explains Parental Kidnapping
Raleigh Child Custody Lawyer Explains - What to Do If Your Ex Takes Your Children Out of State Unfortunately, not all divorces end well. Sometimes, hostilities between the spouses are inevitable, even if one party wants more than anything to have an amicable, peaceful relationship. An uncooperative ex can be a challenge, especially if you have children together. North Carolina law favors children having as much contact as possible with both parents. For example, your child may spend several weeks in the summer with the other parent, or may accompany your ex on lengthy vacations out of state to see extended family members. However, what happens when a parent removes a child from the state without notice or permission? Fortunately, these cases are comparatively rare, but they can be a source of great stress and anxiety for the other parent. If your ex has removed your child from the state without permission, call a North Carolina child custody lawyer right away. You must … [Read more...]
Does child support work differently in legal separations?
When a marriage comes to an end, couples in North Carolina have one of two options: they may choose to stay legally separated or they can choose to get divorced. Either way, the couple will need to go through a separation period, which can create particular legal challenges, especially for parents. One of the biggest issues created by separation periods is a child support obligation. When divorce is imminent, most couples will wait until divorce proceedings begin, then allow a judge to make a determination about who should pay and how much. But during legal separations, things work a little differently. The first thing to note is that separating spouses in North Carolina do not need to sign any paperwork indicating that they intend on living separately from one another. Unless the couple signs a separation agreement, the state does not know if a child's financial situation has changed or that the child is in need of child support payments. North Carolina parents, during legal … [Read more...]
