Posts by R. Anthony Hartsoe

In North Carolina, mediation is required in child custody cases. Parents have the option of using a court-appointed mediator (at no extra cost to the parties) or a private mediator hired by the parents (where the cost is usually split equally between the parents). A child custody mediator (usually an experienced family law attorney) is…

Is it possible to have a child custody lawsuit moved from North Carolina to another state? Yes, it is possible for a North Carolina court to “remove” or transfer a child custody action to another state. In the recent (August 4, 2020) opinion, Harter v. Eggleston, COA 19-493, the North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed a…

Estate planning is the most often neglected aspect of a couple’s life. Many couples have no will, no health care power of attorney (saying who makes your health care decisions when you cannot), durable power of attorney (allowing someone to act on your behalf if you are unavailable, unconscious, etc.), and living will (saying whether…

Executive Order 138 issued by Gov. Roy Cooper on May 5, 2020, known as the Phase 1 Order, is supposed to be the first phase of a three-phase plan to begin to return North Carolina to more normal activities. The prior order, issued March 27, 2020, (and extended to May 8 by Order 135) created a “Stay at…

We have received many inquiries about what to do about custody concerns during the governmental shut-down of most activities. Here is what you need to know: If you already have a custody ORDER in place, you must continue to do what it says unless doing so would create a significant danger to the child or…

Signs of Medical Malpractice We rely on the judgment of doctors and nurses precisely because they’re experts at what they do. When they make mistakes, it’s not always obvious to untrained eyes. Malpractice often goes overlooked for this very reason. These red flags might indicate that something suspicious is afoot: Nobody from your care team…

Financial worries are common after a traffic accident. A car crash can leave you with severe and possibly permanent injuries. As a result, you’re unable to work, and the bills are piling up. Your medical expenses from the accident alone can be staggering. Your car may have been totaled. You may have been the primary breadwinner…

In the chaos and confusion that follow a traffic accident, it’s easy to lose track of important steps for protecting yourself. Here are three things you should do after any accident. 1. Gather The Right Information If you’re able, get the names, addresses, phone numbers, license plates and insurance information of all the other parties involved…

Working with a lawyer is a new experience for most people. You might not know what to expect. You may feel intimidated by the prospect of turning your traffic accident case over to a stranger. The last thing you need during this already stressful time is a lawyer who won’t return your phone calls. At Hartsoe &…