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…
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Tips to make your divorce easier
Last week the Raleigh News and Observer ran a story entitled “4 tips to make your divorce easier for your divorce attorney and yourself.” Those tips included telling your lawyer the truth, get help from a therapist if you need it, listen to your attorney’s advice, and organize your documents before you give them to…
Learning How to Be Alone
One of the scariest things about separating from your spouse is the thought of being alone. This is especially difficult for people that have been married a long time. Here is a nice video that talks about how to feel comfortable being alone. Thanks to Lee Rosen for originally sharing this video with me…
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…
Why Collaborative Divorce Works
One of my biggest pet-peeves is when another lawyer tells me that Collaborative Divorce won’t work. Don’t tell that to Cat J. Zavis. Cat presented a seminar that I attended this past week on how Non-Violent Communication can help resolve Family Law Cases, including Collaborative Divorces. The seminar was organized by Mark Springfield, a fellow…
Florida Ban on Gay Adoption is Unconstitutional
Finally, Florida got it right. After a number of years of fighting a system that says that gay people in Florida are unfit to be parents, the Appeals court in Miami has unanimously ruled that Florida’s law that bans gay adoption is unconstitutional. Last Wednesday’s decision means that Frank Martin Gill will be allowed to…
Collaborative Divorce is great for the kids
I came across a great article today that illustrates just why collaborative divorce can be such a great thing for the children of divorce. The article profiles a family from Rochester, New York that is going through a collaborative divorce with children – successfully. On anther note – I was forced to go to court…
Divorce during the Holidays – What to do?
As we come upon the end of summer and the Labor Day weekend, it is important to make sure that you stay calm and collected during the weekend’s festivities. Whether you are just thinking about the idea of separating from your spouse, your divorce is in its final stages, or you are somewhere in between…
Easy tools to make post divorce transfers easier for the kids
I’ve had several cases settle recently that involved kids, and many more that I am working on right now. Because spouses are required to separate for one year before obtaining a divorce in North Carolina, the reality of the situation dictates that many spouses are required to deal with the children’s issues almost right away. …
Help – My religion prohibits divorce, what can I do?
I came across this question earlier this week. In the context of the question, the person who asked it wanted to use their religion to keep the divorce from going through. Unfortunately, in North Carolina, there is virtually no defense to an action for absolute divorce. As long as you are separated for at least…