Proof that Ugly Divorces are Bad for Your Health

I have been on my soapbox for a long time about the terrible and often hidden effects of ugly divorces. Now science is making my point for me. This Newsweek article explains how a divorce can affect a person’s health. The case for collaborative law, mediation...

How to Reach a Truly Valuable Separation Agreement

A wise man once told me “If a man’s handshake is no good, neither is his signature.” This a brilliantly succinct way of stating what many family law clients and lawyers ignore: An agreement is worth no more than the parties’ intent to live up...

What’s It Like to Go to Court? See For Yourself.

One of the biggest decisions that any family law client will have to make is whether they want to accept the negotiated resolution that is available or take their chances in court.No one can make that decision for you. Your attorney should provide you with all of the...

How to Prepare for Your First Meeting With Your Lawyer

Many clients are completely overwhelmed by their first meeting with a family lawyer. They are frequently emotionally distraught by the potential end of their marriage, scared by the possibility of losing control over their children, afraid of their economic future or...

What About the Dog?

Of all the property that has to be divided in a divorce, the property that tends to stir the most emotion is a pet. I am a dog guy (I own two big dopes) and I get it. I don’t ever want to give up my dogs. But, many clients are shocked to find out that the dog is...

Family Law Research DIY

If you want to investigate North Carolina family law on your own, you can find most of the rules that the legislature has made for family law cases on the North Carolina General Assembly’s website. As an important side note, you should know that each of these...