Can “Married at First Sight” Couples Get Annulments?
The reality TV show Married at First Sight usually prompts two questions from its viewers: Do the couples really get married? Can they get their marriages annulled? The first question (marriage) has an easy answer — yes, the couples actually do get married. The show, prior cast members, and public records have made this clear.…
Read MoreWomen Increasingly Seeking Premarital Agreements
A common assumption about premarital agreements is that they are created for well-to-do men in the event of a divorce. While individuals and couples with significant assets can benefit from premarital and postmarital agreements, the “old chestnut” that men are the ones requesting these documents can be laid to rest. As of 2017, “41 percent…
Read MoreWhat Rights Do Fathers Have Regarding Child Custody?
In North Carolina, both parents have an equal right to custody of their children. While the State used to follow the so-called “tender years” doctrine, which gave preference to the mother when the children were young, that is no longer the case. When a couple divorces, both parents are assumed to be equally capable of…
Read MoreDo’s and Don’ts of Child Custody Mediation
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…
Read MoreCan I Transfer My Child Custody Case From North Carolina To A Different State?
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…
Read MoreLittle Known Law Can Foul Up Your Estate Plan
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…
Read MoreNorth Carolina Churches Can Return to Normal Services Under Phase 1 Executive Order—the Press is Simply Mimicking the Governor in Saying Only Outdoor Services Are Allowed
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…
Read MoreCustody In the Midst of COVID—A Quick Guide
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…
Read MoreWarning Signs Of Medical Malpractice
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…
Read MoreHow Will I Pay My Bills?
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…
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