Charlotte Family Lawyer

When you are searching for an attorney in Charlotte, it is vital to find an attorney who has proven experience successfully handling cases like yours. When it comes to family court, many of the cases that unfold involve several issues. For example, you may be planning to divorce, but if you have children with your spouse, you need to prepare for a child custody determination as part of the divorce process.

We have solid professional experience handling many types of family court cases, including:

• Divorce. Ending a marriage is a complex process, and while North Carolina’s law on child custody, child support, alimony and equitable distribution are seemingly straightforward, the actual legal process of ending a marriage is often more difficult than divorcing spouses expect. Trust our firm to help you identify the key issues you must resolve and develop a strategy for resolving your divorce as efficiently as possible.
• Child custody determinations. A custody dispute is likely to be one of the most challenging experiences of a parent’s life, and the outcome will affect the child most acutely. Whether you are seeking full custody of your child or aim to arrange a joint custody order with your co-parent, we will do everything we can to help you make the strongest possible case for the custody rights you hope to secure.
• Separation. In North Carolina, a one year separation is a necessary prior to filing for divorce, but it can also serve as an alternative that allows the spouses to reconsider whether they should end their marriage or attempt to reconcile. Separation is also defined as living in separate households, not separate bedrooms. Also, even though you must wait one year for the separation to obtain a divorce in North Carolina, you do not have to wait the one year to resolve issues of child custody, child support, alimony and equitable distribution. If you intend to separate in North Carolina, we can help you make clearer sense of this process and provide further legal representation if you decide to later proceed to divorce.
• Child support. When one parent has custody of their children, the noncustodial parent is likely to face a child support requirement. Child support can also come into play when parents share custody based on the time each parent spends with a child and each parent’s income. Whether you are required to pay or receive child support, we can help to ensure a fair determination and address any disputes you encounter regarding your support order.
• Domestic violence. Domestic violence is a serious issue, and the perpetrator can be subject to criminal charges and/or civil penalties. We can help our clients secure a civil protective order if necessary and help them navigate the criminal process to pursue charges. We can also ensure that any domestic violence you or your children have experienced is properly reflected in a divorce and/or custody order.

These are only a few examples of the types of family court cases our firm represents in Charlotte. It’s important to remember that, unlike other areas of law, family law accounts for the fact that the parties involved in a case may need to later return to court to readdress some of the issues covered in their original proceedings. When you choose our team, you will have a faithful advocate ready to assist you with any future proceedings that might arise.

When you divorce your spouse, one of the most important issues you must cover is the division of your marital property. The state follows an “equitable distribution” law for property division in divorce, meaning that the court will aim to resolve property division as equitably as possible by considering various financial factors from both of the divorcing spouses. It’s important to remember that “equitable” does not necessarily mean a strict 50/50 division.

In an equitable distribution determination, the divorcing spouses have the opportunity to negotiate what they believe to be the fairest possible division of assets. Each spouse will be allowed to keep their respective separate property, which typically includes the property each spouse owned prior to their marriage. “Marital property” will include anything the couple acquired during their marriage or purchased together.

One of the most important aspects of property division proceedings in Charlotte is financial disclosure. This is a requirement for every divorce, regardless of how simple or complex the case may seem. Each divorcing spouse will need to provide complete and accurate financial records to show their separate property ownership rights and to accurately assess the marital property subject to equitable distribution.

All issues, including child custody and child support, can be resolved through private alternative dispute resolution. These issues can be resolved by a private our-of-court agreement or by the execution of a Consent Order that is signed by the parties and approved by the court. A Consent Order has the force of a Court Order even though the parties never actually appear in court. Your attorney can help you determine whether or not alternative dispute resolution is viable in your case.

Family law is unique in that it is possible to revisit a previously resolved issue to address recent changes in your life. For example, if you have a standing child custody order but you need to relocate, or if you have been injured or fallen ill and are no longer able to handle your custody requirements, you may need to petition the court for modification of your court order. It is also possible to modify a family court order in response to an ex-spouse’s bad behavior.

Your Charlotte family lawyer can explain your options for modifying a family court order if you have experienced any recent changes in your life that make your current terms untenable. This process usually entails filing a motion for modification followed by a hearing. If the other party does not contest the request, it might be possible to secure a modification relatively quickly with an attorney’s help in drafting an agreement regarding the new custodial arrangement.

What to Expect From Your Charlotte Family Lawyer

There are no one-size-fits-all solutions for family court cases. These are deeply personal legal issues that can have long-lasting repercussions, and it is important that you approach your family court proceedings supported by legal counsel. At Plumides, Romano & Johnson, PC, we provide individualized and compassionate legal counsel to every client we represent. Trust our firm to guide you through your case efficiently and address your personal concerns.

Once you realize that you are headed for any type of family court case, it is crucial to connect with a trustworthy Charlotte family lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the more time and flexibility they will have to address the unique issues you face in the Charlotte family court system.