Legal Guides

At Adkins Law, we frequently encounter parents who want to adjust custody schedules but are unsure what qualifies as a legal basis for modification. In North Carolina, the law is clear: courts will not modify a custody order simply because one parent wants a change. Instead, the requesting parent must demonstrate (1) a substantial change ...

Charlotte, North Carolina—known today as the Queen City—emerged from humble beginnings at the intersection of two trading paths. Over nearly three centuries, it has transformed into one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. This long-form history explores the forces that shaped Charlotte’s trajectory: from Native American roots to revolutionary defiance, from the ...

The North Carolina Court of Appeals recently affirmed an equitable distribution order in Arrington v. Arrington, where the trial court awarded an unequal distribution of marital assets to the husband despite his failure to respond to the lawsuit and the entry of default against him. The decision illustrates both the flexibility of equitable distribution law ...

For decades, artificial intelligence has hovered between science fiction and scientific ambition. Films like Terminator, Ex Machina, and Westworld painted dystopian portraits of machine domination, while technologists spoke cautiously about automation, algorithms, and efficiency. Yet as AI rapidly integrates into finance, healthcare, defense, and everyday communication, the question that once belonged to Hollywood writers now ...

The legal system provides powerful tools to resolve disputes, enforce rights, and ensure justice. But what happens when those tools are misused? North Carolina recognizes a tort called abuse of process, which arises when legal process is used not for its intended purpose, but as a weapon for harassment, coercion, or to gain an unfair ...

Introduction On June 3, 1985, a Chevy Blazer exploded on a quiet country road in Summerfield, North Carolina. Inside were Dr. Frederick “Fritz” Klenner, his lover and first cousin Susie Newsom Lynch, and her two young sons. All four perished in the fiery blast, bringing to a grisly end one of the strangest and most ...

As summer turns to fall, families across North Carolina flock to pumpkin patches, apple orchards, petting zoos, and seasonal festivals. In Huntersville and the greater Lake Norman area, these outings have become beloved traditions—complete with hayrides, corn mazes, and hands-on animal encounters. But what happens if a fun family trip turns into an accident or ...

When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important—and sometimes most challenging—decisions is how to share time with their children. North Carolina courts and families use a variety of custody schedules to balance parenting time, school, activities, and the child’s overall best interest. No single schedule works for every family. The “right” plan depends ...

Charlotte’s dining scene is hot! New openings, national nods, tasting menus that sell out in minutes — if you haven’t booked a table lately, now’s the time. Below are three standout restaurants right now, followed by a practical guide for small restaurant owners facing divorce in North Carolina and how a restaurant is valued and ...

Halloween is one of the most cherished holidays of the year for children. Costumes, candy, and community events make it a night full of excitement and family memories. But for parents navigating  custody agreement, Halloween can also raise important questions: Who takes the children trick-or-treating? Should parents rotate the holiday annually, split the evening, or ...

The 2025 Panthers schedule is set and brimming with both challenge and opportunity. Carolina opens with a three-of-four road stretch under second-year head coach Dave Canales—a tough draw for a conversation-shaping start. Their bye isn’t until Week 14, and half their divisional matchups are packed into the final stretch of the year. It’s a schedule ...

Can custody orders be changed in North Carolina? Yes. Custody orders can be modified, but the court requires proof that there has been a substantial change in circumstances affecting the child’s welfare since the last order was entered. What qualifies as a “substantial change in circumstances”? Examples include: - A parent relocating or moving far ...