Five years ago, a Kansas man responded to an ad he saw on Craigslist posted by a lesbian couple seeking a sperm donor. He said that he wanted to help them out. The man donated for free, and he signed papers to waive his parental rights. Last Thursday, January 23, however, a judge ordered the man to pay child support,…
In North Carolina, adultery is a ground (legal reason) for filing for divorce, and naturally, this will have an effect on the case, often making an already difficult process that much more painful. But does it have any other influence on the legal process itself? It can, yes, but perhaps not as much as expected. It may not directly affect…
Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Mediation, and Uncontested Divorce in Raleigh, NC Wondering how you can get an amicable divorce in Raleigh? For one thing, you will have to avoid a litigated divorce. The cost of this type of divorce is almost never worth it, the financial and emotional costs only being exacerbated by how long this often antagonistic process takes. The…
Depending on a couple’s situation, there are numerous types of short- and long-term alimony (or spousal support) available. If a couple had a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that outlined how these spousal support payments would work in the event of a divorce, then a court would go along with that agreement. Otherwise, deciding how much to award, and even whether…
By New Year’s Day, many couples have decided that it is time for a divorce. Some couples have known throughout the whole holiday season that they were going to separate, and they were only counting the days until January 1. In other cases, as people evaluated their relationships in light of the New Year, they have realized that it is…
Ideally, both parents will be able to craft a parenting plan on their own. Presumably, the parents would be much more acquainted with what is best for their child than a court could be, and then parents could have the decision-making power to make the best possible custody arrangement for their child. But if parents cannot agree on how best…
Most divorces will end in a settlement, not in some dramatic courtroom setting. And that is good news, as this gives most couples the chance to end things amicably and quickly. If you are going to get a divorce, you should probably start getting ready for the settlement meeting or meetings. These meetings are when you, your soon-to-be ex, and…
Whether or not you and your spouse found it difficult to arrive at the decision to divorce, the holidays can complicate your choice. While the stress of the holidays can push couples past the breaking point, there is something special about the holidays that may make you afraid to mar this season with a divorce. This is especially true for…
One of the top fears faced in a divorce relates to finances. While property division does weigh heavy in couple’s minds, the main fear is about how much the divorce itself is going to cost. Even for couples who have children, their anxieties about the expenses involved in the process are only eclipsed by worries about child custody. The good…
There is no way around it. Divorce can be simply miserable—even if you were the one who asked for it. If you have children, they are also suffering, and from something that is not even their fault. While there is no getting around the pain of the situation, the way you approach this tough process can eventually make all the…