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Family Law - Child Custody in North Carolina | Child Support | Child Custody: When Do Children Get to Decide? | Change a Minor Child's Last
Name | How Can We Prepare Our Children For Divorce?
Child
Custody in North Carolina
- In North Carolina family law child custody
and visitation can frequently be best resolved by a voluntary out of court agreement
between the parents is frequently called a legal separation or separation agreement.
John Walker Attorney advises that a separation agreement is not a no contest divorce
or uncontested divorce although it will make such a divorce more likely.
Child custody and visitation is perhaps the most emotionally charged issue
in domestic cases and can result in expensive fees and other costs of litigation.
Couples are able to compromise on access to the child and on child support without
forcing this issue into court. In North Carolina you and your spouse may settle
issues of custody and visitation by private agreement that is not required to
be submitted to a judge. The Divorce Clinic, when parties agree, can draft such
a legal document. It is a cost effective way to gain the advantages and savings
made available by the agreement of the parties. This type of basic separation
agreement will make this process less costly.
The general rule in North Carolina is that each parent initially has coequal
rights to the physical possession of a child born of the marriage. A parent's
right to custody of a minor child is substantial but not absolute. A parent's
rights are not interfered with unless the child's best interests clearly demand
it. The decision of custody must keep your focus on the best interests of the
child.
More information North Carolina Child Custody Statutes
If you and your spouse can not reach a satisfactory agreement on custody or
there is a third party seeking custody and litigation becomes necessary, a judge
will consider a variety of factors as determined by the evidence that the parties
present. The burden of proof in custody cases is burdensome. You will need to
present evidence to support your custody claims and show how your behavior and
abilities will better provide for your child's overall development and welfare
than your spouse.
>>more and printable PDF
Does my child get to decide
to live with me or my ex-spouse? The complicated answers to that question can
be yes or no. When is the answer yes? >>
more and printable PDF
At any time can a parent change a minor child's last name
without the other parent's permission?
In North Carolina, a parent may not change the name of a minor child without the
consent of the other parent, except in the following instances: the other parent
is deceased; the minor child has reached the age of 16; the minor child has the
consent of the custodial parent who has supported the minor child and the clerk
of court is satisfied that the non-custodial parent has abandoned the minor child;
or the non-custodial parent has been adjudicated as having abandoned the minor
child.
How can we prepare our children for divorce and reduce the
impact?
Your task is to create conditions that will help your children to absorb the impact
of the divorce and to respond with growth. When parents can come to satisfactory
terms on their separation agreement both the parents and the children are better
able to go forward and avoid much of the pain and expense associated with a litigated
divorce.
Here are four areas to focus upon for children if you and your spouse are separating:
>> more
and printable PDF
The ability of most parents to recognize and
solve by satisfactory mutual agreement their child's
basic needs is the easiest and less expensive route.
$150 Legal Fee + Court Costs for a Simple No Contest NC Divorce • NO COURT APPEARANCE & NO OFFICE VISIT • $400 Separation Agreement
Phone: 704-DIVORCE or 336-DIVORCE Hours: 9 to 5 Monday - Thursday 9 to 4:30 Friday Send the Attorney a Question
The Divorce Clinic can do your Separation Agreement & Simple No Contest
Divorce for all North Carolina cities, towns & counties.
You can start your divorce by contacting us directly at 704-333-8808 or visit
our easy email form here.
How can we prepare our children for divorce and reduce the
impact?
