Custody Holiday Traditions
I was completely unprepared for how Christmas and everything around the holiday was turned over to his mother…
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Our Blog
How To Download Your Facebook Messages
Need to download your Facebook messages? Follow our step-by-step instructions to download your Facebook messages…
Sand Sculpture Spectacular – Protect Your Home
On Saturday, June 11, 2022 the firm will be hosting the second of three sand sculpture displays titled Protect Your Home..
Protecting Your Children: The Importance of Communication in Times of Parent Separation
In the case of divorce or separation, make sure both you and your partner are present when the “divorce talk” is had for the very first time…
Sculpt Your Future and Your Family – Protect Your Children
On Saturday, May 14, 2022, the firm will be hosting the first of three sand sculpture displays titled Sculpt Your Future and Your Family…
Why Hiring an Expert Attorney is Better
An expert attorney is a Board-Certified Specialist in the area of law they practice. North Carolina certifies lawyers in 13 different areas of law, such as…
Keeping Children Safe Through Divorce
When you get divorced you have already broken a fundamental trust. This makes it an uphill battle…
New Income Models for 2022 for Child Support
Normally, the child’s maintenance entitlement is calculated on the basis of percentages of the net income of the dependent parent. The level of these percentages…
The Importance Of A Judge
In a family law case, a judge can control nearly all aspects of the case, making them even more critical for the children and the family at large. However,
Protecting Your Castle: How to Protect Your Family During a Divorce
Did you know that children who go through a divorce between the ages of 7 and 14 are more likely to develop behavioral issues? They are also four times as likely to
Protect your grandchildren : The Alexander case
She argued that once the father died, the court no longer had the ability to grant visitation to the grandparents
How to Protect Your Child’s Mobile Device Usage
At a certain age, your kids’ curiosity may get the better of them. They will want to explore all that the internet offers, including
Why Jay Cutler Does NOT Deserve Half of Kristin Cavallari’s Business After Their Divorce
[Jay] would kill me if I didn’t give him credit for the ‘uncommon’ part,” Cavallari joked in an interview with People Magazine
Everything You Need to Know about Kim and Kanye’s Post – Divorce Arrangements
Weeks after filing for divorce, rumor had it that the couple were not on good terms, and we expected another bitter separation and divorce
Why Britney Spears May Need A Conservatorship
The conservatorship imposed upon Britney Spears in 2008 states that the individual, in this case Britney, cannot care for themselves or cannot control his or her finances, making them a risk to themselves or others should they have such control.
Why Britney Spears Should Be Free Of Her Conservatorship
In the case of Britney Spears’ conservatorship, the arrangement is split into two different parts-one is for her estate and financial affairs, whilst the other is for her person.
How Moms Can Promote Visits with Dad
The best people to impact the child with these essential life skills are the child’s parents. But if the parents are no longer living together and if they have children we offer suggestions for how the mother can promote visits with dad.
A Father’s Greatest Role: Unconditional Love
There is no greater role model for a child than their father. A mother naturally has her own special place, but a father helps shape their child in an indelible way.
Why Teenagers Don’t Want to Visit
One of the most difficult aspects of parenthood is having a suddenly independent child who wants to do everything but spend time with you. It can be frustrating, difficult, and tough on parents who often feel that their precious little ones suddenly hate them.
Discover 8 Benefits of the Father Visiting the Child(ren)
You might have ended your relationship with your partner for the mutual benefit of both of you but your children will always be yours. Your relationship with your kids does not die with the relationship with your partner.
Personal Jurisdiction – the Long-Arm Statute
Mucha was a college student who was attending college in South Carolina. She and Wagner had been involved in a romantic relationship that ended in December of 2017.
Parental Alienation and What’s In the Best Interest of the Child
Parental alienation is the act of getting a child detached from, or turned against a parent. Find out what qualifies as parental alienation.
What is Supervised Visitation?
Supervised visitation is a legal term that necessitates a third party’s presence when a non-custodial parent is visiting a child.
How are life insurance proceeds treated in divorce?
The question before the Court of Appeals was whether or not these life insurance proceeds were the separate property of Husband….
Life Insurance and Divorce/Child Custody
Life can go in the most unexpected direction. While taking our vows, there’s a chance that we can’t imagine
Mary Jane Is Addictive
Why do so many people who are users of marijuana want us to believe that it is not addictive. We can consume…
Imputation of Income for Child Support
Imputation of income means we treat you as if you are earning your potential income…
Basic Rules of Grandparent Visitation and Why to Intervene
If there is a custody action pending between the biological parents of the children, a grandparent can file…
Incorporation of a Separation Agreement
So what does it mean to incorporate a separation agreement? Incorporation is the process of…
Evidence Needed to Defend Against a Child Support Contempt Hearing
The types of evidence that you will need to bring to court to defend yourself can vary on…
How Visitation Works When Your Child is Breastfeeding
One parent should never make a feeding decision for the child unilaterally…
Military Parent Visits during Covid-19
What do all of these conflicting orders and directives mean for blended families who are…
“Do Not Send that Text”
Communicating while married and communicating while divorced are very different, so be prepared…
COVID-19’s Impact on Migrant Children
Immigration authorities have increased deportations during the COVID-19 emergency…
Legally Separated – Date of Separation
The first question most people have when I meet with them is how do I get separated…
Setting Boundaries
So how does he draw the line in the sand and make it into a line in the cement…
Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Potentially Associated with COVID-19
perhaps the scariest part of this illness, is that it does not appear to differentiate between kids with underlying health conditions an those that are healthy…
Child Testifying in Court (Walsh v. Jones)
The proof, or evidence, must show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the entry of the last Order …
Paying Ex’s Medical Bills
During the call this is the first time you start to feel a little queasy, because they tell you that you are legally responsible…
Vehicle Appraisals
What is a restored vehicle worth? How is that valued? Your spouse spent years…
Navigating the rough waters of the American court system: A family court perspective
Why does the American court system have to be so complicated and intimidating to the average person…
Evidence for Child Support Court
I know that those of you who now have children home all of the time have things much worse as you adjust to your children being…
Quarantine Activities with Kids during COVID-19
I know that those of you who now have children home all of the time have things much worse as you adjust to your children being…
Parental Alienation Stopped by Court
The appeals court was very clear, that changes do not all have to be bad. Any good changes, like…
5 Factors to Relocate Kids
I think this ruling provides a lot of guidance when it comes to trying a relocation custody case. The court made it clear that …
Can’t exercise physical visitation because of COVID-19?
Social distancing, confined to home, or maybe even actually quarantined because you are positive for the virus?
Need a license to become a parent?
Some people were just not meant to be parents. Do you remember when…
How To Control The Psychological Effects Of Divorce On Children
Numerous kids face difficulties from their parents split that can tail them for a lifetime, including into their connections as grown-ups.
Wives now get unearned benefits … Husband’s too!
October was not only the month for Halloween and Addams Family reruns, but also for new changes to North Carolina laws. I love thinking of the Addams Family as it parodies traditional family roles and makes me remember why I love all the quirky things about my family…
Wilmington Child Custody Investigator
“I think GPS trackers are a wonderful tool, because people need to know what’s really going on before they make a life decision. I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to know the truth before making any decisions,” says Gilchrist.
Private Investigator Bert Croom – Expert at Background Checks
Meet Bert Croom, a private investigator in Eastern North Carolina who provides detailed background checks in custody and domestic cases.
How porn addiction affects marriage and causes divorce
I know that about 1/4 of my clients or their spouses are addicted at any point in time. What is so bad about an addict’s life? Why do they turn to drugs or porn? They own houses, cars, kids, pets, savings, vacations, and tons of stuff. Many of my clients, and maybe…
Divorce is a death that is filled with sorrow.
I recently read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, which I highly recommend especially during the time of a divorce. One quote hit me like a ton of bricks: “Sorrow is unreliable in that way. When people don’t share it there is a good chance that it will drive them…
Q&A: Worried About Money
Question: I have been married for 12 years to my husband. He only works part-time. Will I owe him alimony and if so how much and for how long? – Worried About Money Dear Worried About Money: Alimony (and it’s kissing cousin Post Separation Support) are paid by a…
Attorneys in Other Areas of Practice
Here are some links to attorneys and law firms that Cape Fear Family Law might recommend working with in other areas of law.
Child Support Resources in NC
Here are some helpful links to North Carolina child support resources and child support calculators provided by Cape Fear Family Law in Wilmington & Leland.
Collaborative Attorneys
Cape Fear Family Law has put together this information to help you find exactly what or who you need to help you through your crisis.
Domestic Violence
Here are some links to domestic violence resources as provided by Cape Fear Family Law, located in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Family Law Attorneys in Other Counties
Here are some links to family law attorneys in other counties.
Mental Health and Support Groups
Check out these links to mental health support groups and other resources provided by Cape Fear Family Law.
Parent Classes and Support Groups
Information on Parent Classes and Support Groups for divorcees provided by Cape Fear Family Law.
Private Investigators
Here are some helpful links to Private Investigators (PI’s) as provided by Cape Fear Family Law.
Don’t Understand
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: Do I need to file for separation? How is that different from divorce? -Don’t Understand Answer: Dear Don’t Understand: Separation is the date you and your spouse start to live separately – not in separate rooms in the same…
Duct Tape Needed
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: I am supposed to co-parent with my ex, but he is impossible. He constantly tells the children things they should not know – how much I receive in child support, that I have a new boyfriend, or things about our marriage that are in…
That’s Mine!
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: My mother passed away 5 years ago and left me some family land. About 3 years ago my husband and I cashed in some investments and built a house. I found my husband cheating with my friend. Since I inherited the land, are both…
Need some money!!
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: I left my husband last week and moved into an apartment. I paid for it by taking ½ of the funds that were in our bank account, but my husband moved the remaining money. The funds I took are down to less than $3,000.00 and I will…
DSS and Danger
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: The Department of Social Services (DSS) contacted me about my child. They asked me questions and told me there was a report made. They won’t tell me a lot, but I realize that my daughter is in danger while living with her mom. …
Baby Don’t Go
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: My ex-wife is moving with her new husband to California. He is in the military and they have another child together. I am really involved in my daughter’s life; she is 12 and goes to school here. I attend her events and I cannot…
No $$$ to Waste
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: My spouse and I separated about six (6) months ago. I did not hire an attorney, but I am about to run out of money and my husband is not willing to give me any for my monthly bills? Is it worth getting an attorney? -No $$$ to…
The Other Side Lies
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: My spouse’s attorney says negative and untrue things about me and my attorney by letter and in court. Will the court believe these letters? What impact will these letters and statements have on my case? Is this appropriate? -The…
Putting Baby First
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: My husband and I are separated and I have our 1 year old baby. I breast feed and would prefer to keep breast feeding until age 2, at least. He wants overnight visits and our baby is not ready for that. Will I have to allow him…
Other Resources
Links to some other family law legal resources provided by Cape Fear Family Law.
Mom, Ready for a New Relationship and Move!
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: For the last four (4) months, my husband and I lived in two separate apartments and we share our children as it fits within our work schedule. We do not have an agreement or an order on child custody. I want to move to Ohio with…
Worried, but ready to go
Question: Dear Cape Fear Family Law: How can I begin separation without it being considered abandonment if my wife will not leave the marital home? I do not want to lose custody of my children or lose rights to the house. -Worried, but Ready to Go Answer: Dear…