When you’ve gone through a divorce with children, one of the most common questions you’re likely to have is how you handle vacations and periods when your children are out of school. Most kids look forward to vacations and extended holiday breaks, such as winter break; However, after a divorce, vacations — especially long stretches — can be a challenge for the parents. Whether your relationship with your ex is amicable or relatively unfriendly, the good news is that there are things you can do to make sure vacations go smoothly. If you have questions about your holiday schedule and how it affects your case, it’s important to speak to an experienced North Carolina divorce and family law lawyer. How Do Courts Determine Custody? Under North Carolina law, the court has the final say in a custody agreement. Practically speaking, however, the majority of divorcing couples with children work out a custody arrangement that suits both parties and is acceptable to the court. While both … [Read more...]
How Do I Prove I’m Separated for a North Carolina Divorce?
If you are seeking a divorce in North Carolina, the law requires you to show that you have “lived separate and apart for one year” from your spouse. In other states, the law doesn’t require spouses to physically move into separate residences and live completely apart. In North Carolina, however, living separate and apart for a one-year period is one of the conditions you must meet to qualify for an absolute divorce. While it may seem like an easy thing to prove, courts take the separation requirement quite seriously. If you have questions about this requirement, it’s very important to speak to an experienced North Carolina divorce lawyer. Your lawyer can explain your options and help you take steps to ensure your divorce unfolds smoothly. What If We Move Back in Together and Then Separate Again? Divorce can be a challenging time for a couple. It’s quite normal for couples to argue and then temporarily reconcile. You have dedicated your life to the other person, and you want to be … [Read more...]
Selling the Marital Home in a Divorce
By clearly defining the roles and expectations for each party, disputes can be avoided as the sale process unfolds. For many married couples, the family home is their biggest asset—or at least one of the most significant assets they own. In a divorce, they may decide to sell it and split the proceeds of the sale. Sounds easy, right? It can be, but there are many factors to consider when putting your home on the market in a divorce. If you don’t think about the what-ifs now, you and your spouse may encounter a lot of disagreements down the road. If you are thinking about ending your marriage, contact a North Carolina divorce lawyer to discuss your case and get your property division questions answered. Putting Your House on the Market When you sell your home during the divorce process, there are several important contingencies you and your spouse need to discuss before you stick the for-sale sign in the yard. Who chooses the real estate agent? What is the asking … [Read more...]
North Carolina Child Custody Lawyer – Making Divorce Easier on the Kids
Witnessing verbal sparring and heated arguments can be stressful for children, especially in a divorce situation. When parents decide to end their marriage, they naturally worry how their divorce will affect their children. They might even have bad memories of their own parents’ divorce, which can make them reluctant to move forward with the divorce process. However, research shows that children thrive more in a divorce situation than they do in unhappy households filled with bickering parents and high levels of conflict. If you and your spouse are unable to work it out, it may be better for your children if you and your spouse go your separate ways rather than try to stay aboard a sinking ship. If you have questions about child custody or how divorce in North Carolina affects minor children, get in touch with a North Carolina child custody lawyer today. Three Things You Can Do to Help Your Kids Cope with Divorce You don’t stop being your child’s parent just because you … [Read more...]
North Carolina Divorce Attorneys – How Long Does the Divorce Process Take?
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...]
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