Considering Divorce in North Carolina?

​BE PROACTIVE
If you are considering a divorce you will want to be proactive and make sure you are taking the right steps to ensure a positive outcome.  Contacting an attorney is a good first step.  Your attorney may recommend that you seek marriage counseling even if you don’t think your marriage can be saved.  A divorce is a major life event and a counselor can help you navigate the emotional ups and downs you will likely experience.  Your attorney will discuss the laws specific to your state and the steps that you should take to ensure the most favorable outcome to your divorce proceeding. 
 
STAY IN YOUR HOME
Until you speak with an attorney, you should not move out of your home unless it is an abusive situation.  In situations of abuse, you should always put the safety of you and your children first.  Leaving your home without reason, could be considered abandonment and could jeopardize spousal claims for support.  In NC, abandonment means that a spouse has moved out with the intent to cease co-habitation.  Abandonment can also impact the custodial rights of the abandoning spouse.  By leaving the children with your ex, you are essentially saying that they are capable and fit to raise the children.  In addition, if you leave, you may be unable to return to the house until the property has been divided which could take a year or even more in some cases.
 
SAFEGUARD YOUR ASSETS
An attorney can guide you on how to best protect your assets.  You will want to take possession of certain types of assets like cash, collectibles, jewelry, etc. that your spouse might try to liquidate.  Your attorney might also suggest closing joint bank accounts and credit cards. 
 
NC DIVORCE LAW
Some states are “Fault” states meaning that the judge will consider the actions of the “guilty” spouse to determine if there are grounds for divorce.  In “No Fault” divorce states the judge does not consider the actions of the spouses.    All that is required is that one party wishes to end the marriage.  NC is a hybrid state – judges can consider marital misconduct or “incurable insanity” but can also dissolve a marriage if one spouse has determined the marriage can’t be saved.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT
A No-Fault divorce in NC requires two things.  First, you must live separate and apart from your spouse for one full uninterrupted year.  Second, at least one of you must have lived in NC for the six month period prior to filing the divorce papers.

Adkins Law has offices in Huntersville and Ballantyne. If you need to schedule an appointment to meet with a divorce attorney, contact Adkins Law. 

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