When people start thinking about getting a divorce in North Carolina, they often start their research by looking for information online. Once they started researching, they likely encounter some seemingly confusing terminology. One reason for the confusion is that each state has its own divorce laws. In some states, for example, you don’t have to live separate and apart from your spouse for any length of time before you can file for divorce. In other states, such as North Carolina, there is a required separation period. Similar to other states, North Carolina has its own terminology for a divorce, which is why it’s important to speak with an experienced North Carolina divorce attorney to walk you through the process. One of the terms you might have come across while researching is an “absolute divorce.” An absolute divorce simply means a divorce in the way most people think of one — ending a marriage — with the couple entering into a legal document to divide their assets and … [Read more...]
How Can I Keep My North Carolina Divorce Out of Court?
For many individuals, a divorce is the first time in their life they have met with a lawyer or visited a courthouse. Understandably, this can be an intimidating prospect. When you’re already going through the process of ending your marriage, the idea of a legal battle on top of it can make an already stressful situation seem worse. Although movies often portray divorces as expensive, messy, and time-consuming, the reality is that many couples are capable of divorcing without a great deal of stress and argument. If you and your spouse are willing to work together to end your marriage in a way that’s agreeable to both of you, a collaborative divorce might be a good option. A collaborative divorce is handled much in the same way as a typical divorce. The difference in a collaborative divorce is that you and your spouse work together, with the help of an experienced Raleigh divorce lawyer and sometimes other professionals, to reach an agreement without litigation. What Is … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Using Social Media During Your Divorce
These days, most people are active on at least one social media account. In 2018, for example, Facebook had 2.32 billion active users. Twitter had 321 million users, and Instagram boasted nearly 1 billion users. While social media can be a great tool for staying connected with friends, family, and colleagues, it can also cause problems when you’re involved in a legal dispute, including a divorce. This situation is especially true if your divorce in North Carolina involves complex finances or a child custody matter. Unfortunately, people looking at your social media posts may take things out of context, or they might rely on one post or photo to make assumptions about your parenting choices or lifestyle. The experienced divorce attorneys at the Raleigh law firm of Vitale Family Law suggest a few things to keep in mind when it comes to using social media during a divorce. Social Media Dos and Don’ts for Divorce Just because you’re going through a divorce doesn’t mean you … [Read more...]
FAQs About Legal Separation in North Carolina
When people first start thinking about divorce, they may gather information from friends, relatives, co-workers and the internet. In some cases, the information they receive is inaccurate, even if the person offering it has the best intentions. One area that can be a common source of confusion is a legal separation. People don’t always understand what a legal separation is, and sometimes they confuse it with the requirement for living separate and apart prior to filing for a divorce. Do you have questions about legal separation in North Carolina? Here are some of the most common questions about legal separation, along with answers from Raleigh Separation Agreement lawyers at Vitale Family Law. Do I Need a Legal Separation Before I Get Divorced? Some people believe that a legal separation is a prerequisite for getting a divorce. However, in North Carolina, there is no separate legal process for becoming separated. This is an option in some states, but it’s not available in … [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...]
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