By Tonya Graser Smith The economic side effects of the coronavirus pandemic on divorced or soon-to-be-separated clients can’t be ignored. As family law attorneys, we know the flood is coming. We see the tidal wave. We see the stress of family and work, the emotional imbalance, the inability to make decisions, the very quick accusations […]
By Wade Harrison These are tough times. We have been forced to deal with the uncertainty and disruption surrounding this public health threat. Some of us have lost a loved one without the opportunity to communicate with them or publicly celebrate their lives. We deal with our clients’ stress and the financial stress this has […]
By Larissa Mañón Mervin and Jeanine Soufan On Friday, May 1, 2020, the Family Law Section participated in the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s first-ever “Virtual” Empower Hour. After our Virtual Section Meeting, members stayed on our Zoom call to login to NC Free Legal Answers and to help clear the Family Law question queue together. NC […]
By Rebecca K. Watts Quackenbush v. Groat, COA19-415, decided May 5, 2020 (DVPO) Plaintiff filed a complaint for domestic violence protective order, to which she attached 12 pages of detailed allegations against Defendant. At the hearing, Defendant moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim. Defendant argued that the Court of Appeals […]
By Rebecca K. Watts Padilla v. Whitley de Padilla, COA19-478, decided May 5, 2020 (Custody Modification) The parties’ original custody order was entered in 2016 and granted custody to Mother. Father had limited visitation because at the time that order was entered, Father had ongoing mental health issues, an unhealthy relationship with his girlfriend, and […]
By Rebecca K. Watts Best v. Staton, COA19-638, May 5, 2020 Prior to the parties’ separation, Wife filed a complaint for divorce from bed and board and equitable distribution. Husband filed an answer to the complaint and a notice of “intent to file for equitable distribution.” In his prayer for relief, Husband asked that he […]
By Brinton Wright and Michele Smith If you’re involved in an interstate adoption and need to comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), you should know how the COVID-19 crisis affected the procedure for submitting a request for approval of a placement to North Carolina ICPC. North Carolina’s ICPC Administrative Assistant and […]
By Mark Sullivan Every once in a while, a claim to divide military retirement benefits is met with a motion to dismiss. Sometimes such a defense is well-taken, and sometimes it’s a stalling tactic or it’s based on a misapprehension of the law. Here’s a short summary of jurisdiction and the division of the military […]
By Jeremy Browner The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the ability of the family law attorney to generate revenue. Stay at Home Orders and court closures have severely reduced the ability to help our clients navigate through their personal choices and North Carolina family law. In addition, our clients may be going through employment issues and […]
Afi S. Johnson-Parris Chair, NCBA Family Law Section The past few weeks have been surreal. With the rising crisis of COVID-19, we’ve had to adapt and change every plan we’ve had for the Family Law Section, our annual meeting, our CLE, and much of the business of the Association. We face the very real possibility […]