I rarely use my blog forum to gloat about the outcome of a divorce case, but today I just have to. Here is a quick summary of how I met this client and the information they gave me when they initially came to see me last year: Client came to see me – we conducted…
Category Archives: Practical Advice
Are you scared to call a law firm?
One of the things that we as lawyers often forget is that we can be intimidating. One of the first things I tell clients who come to visit with me for the first time is that they have nothing to be afraid of. I pride myself in not trying to pull one over on a…
What makes a Happy Marriage?
Evidently, the key to a happy marriage is to be a bit selfish. So says a recent article in the New York Times entitled “The Happy Marriage is the ‘Me’ Marriage.” According to the author, couples in lasting marriages are effective at communicating what they want to their spouse and by doing so are able…
Common QDRO Questions and Answers
QDRO’s are a source of lots of confusion for clients (as well as many attorneys). Here are some answers to questions I get on a pretty regular basis: What is a QDRO? A QDRO is short for “Qualified Domestic Relations Order”. It is a court order that is usually signed by both parties (making it…
Spouse left with the kids and the money – what can I do?
This is an all-to-common question, and although I have answered it several times in my “Ask a Lawyer” section, I thought I would answer it again here. The answer to this question depends, unfortunately, on the financial circumstances of the person asking it. If you have a good job, the money issue may not be…
Can I complete an absolute divorce if my spouse won’t cooperate?
One question I get all the time is what should I do if my spouse won’t agree to the divorce? Usually, it’s not that your spouse won’t agree to the divorce, but rather they won’t agree to the custody arrangement, child support, your alimony request, or how to divide up the property. Obtaining a divorce…
How do I decide whether to accept a case?
Whenever I sit down with someone that has a legal problem, I have to determine whether that client is a good fit for my law practice, and also whether I would be the best lawyer for them. For some lawyers, this decision is easy – if the client is willing to write a check, they…
What financial documents do I need to disclose in my Divorce?
Every state is different when it comes to financial disclosures that must be made in your divorce case. In North Carolina, the disclosures that are required depend in large part on what type of relief is being requested. Where Child Support is at issue, one set of documents is required, where spousal support is at…
What is the true “cost” of divorce in Cary?
I came across a podcast today by a divorce lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts who discussed the “cost” of getting divorced. Here are some of the questions he was asked, with my answers. You hear in the news about couples staying together simply because the cost of divorce is too high. What makes getting a divorce…
Divorce Mediation in Cary
I’ve written on the topic of divorce mediation several times, and I’m writing again today because I feel that this is a topic that deserves a great deal of attention, especially here in Wake County, North Carolina. I strongly believe that divorcing couples should be able to dictate the terms of their separation, and the…