Category: Divorce & Separation

One of the main concerns when facing the prospect of a divorce is the various costs. Most divorces divide a two-income household and can change living standards. For many, the cost of a divorce is an immediate concern. But the cost of not having trusted legal guidance during a divorce…

Sometimes in an unhappy marriage, one spouse will simply pack up and leave. They may make no attempt to either reconcile or formally end the marriage. This may amount to spousal abandonment under North Carolina divorce law and could be grounds for a court-ordered separation known as divorce from bed…

To divorce in North Carolina, a couple must live physically apart for a year. After a year has passed, the work necessary to conclude an uncontested divorce, including obtaining a judge’s divorce decree, can be completed in less than 60 days. North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state. A couple…

Even when you know your marriage can’t be saved and it’s time to move on, going through a separation and divorce takes an emotional toll. The end of a marriage can be a traumatic experience. Stanford University sociologist Michael J. Rosenfeld reaffirmed decades of research in 2017 when he said…

A husband or wife who thinks their spouse is cheating on them might be tempted to investigate and figure out what is going on. These days, checking up on someone usually involves a look at their computer, cell phone, or other electronic media devices. This is a form of cyber…

Many people assume incorrectly that divorce puts an end to their eligibility for Social Security benefits that they might have received based on their spouse’s work record. But in fact, many divorcees with limited work histories are eligible to receive Social Security benefits when the time comes based on their…

North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state. A couple that wants to end their marriage need only meet a few requirements, file the proper paperwork and appear before a judge to end the marriage. The North Carolina Courts even provide a DIY package online but caution that the packet cannot…

Individuals headed for divorce need to know that their retirement funds, including pensions, may be declared marital property and be subject to asset division during a divorce. If you do not understand how to protect your pension in a divorce, it could cost you tens or hundreds of thousands of…

A divorcing couple that owns rental property must come to an agreement about the disposition of the property. If it is determined to be marital property, it may be sold and the proceeds split or it may continue to be operated jointly. When estranged couples in North Carolina cannot agree…

Many people who divorce are unaware of the fact that, despite the dissolution of their marriage, they may be entitled to collect Social Security spousal benefits based on a former wife’s or husband’s earnings record. As a financial planner for The Motley Fool suggests, many people will get more Social…