In North Carolina, child support does not always end automatically when a child turns 18. In most cases, support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, as long as the child is making satisfactory progress toward graduation.
Understanding when support actually ends...
Annulment and divorce both end a marriage, but they do so in very different ways. An annulment treats the marriage as if it never legally existed, while a divorce formally ends a valid marriage. The right option depends on your circumstances, including how the marriage began and how long you have been...
A gray divorce is a divorce involving spouses who are typically age 50 or older. These divorces often involve different financial and legal considerations than divorces earlier in life because couples may be closer to retirement and have accumulated significant shared assets. If you are considering divorce later in life, understanding how...
Unmarried fathers in North Carolina have legal rights, but those rights usually must be formally established before they can be enforced. Until paternity is legally recognized, a father may have limited authority regarding custody, visitation, and decision-making for his child. Once paternity is established, an unmarried father can pursue custody, request visitation,...
Choosing the right power of attorney begins with a clear understanding of what decisions you want someone else to handle and who you trust to take on that responsibility. The right choice depends on your health, your finances, and how much authority you want to grant if you are unable to act...
North Carolina does not have a formal legal separation process. Instead, spouses must live separate and apart for at least one full year before they can file for an absolute divorce. That requirement affects nearly every part of the separation process, including finances, parenting arrangements, and property issues. Below is a straightforward...
When a spouse dies in North Carolina, the surviving spouse has specific legal rights during estate administration, even if those rights conflict with a will. These protections are designed to prevent a surviving spouse from being left without financial support or excluded from the estate entirely. Understanding these rights early can affect...
Inheriting property does not usually trigger immediate income tax, but it can create tax consequences later depending on what you inherit and what you do with it. The rules for inherited real estate, investment assets, and retirement accounts are very different, and misunderstandings often lead to avoidable taxes.
Understanding...
We’re pleased to welcome Attorney Elizabeth A. Escobar to Patrick, Harper & Dixon, L.L.P.
Elizabeth brings more than a decade of experience in family law, government service, and nonprofit advocacy. A graduate of Hawaii Pacific University (B.A., 2007, cum laude) and Regent University School of Law (J.D., 2012), she...
Adultery can significantly influence parts of a North Carolina divorce, especially alimony. A spouse who commits “illicit sexual behavior” before separation may be required to pay support, while an innocent spouse becomes eligible to receive it. Infidelity does not automatically affect property division or child custody, but it can factor into financial...
