Kennedy Law Associates' Blog

Parents in North Carolina who decide to divorce may have to rapidly change their relationship with one another. It can be challenging to adapt to co-parenting for any divorcing couple, even those who have a relatively amicable understanding with their former partners. Co-parenting can require a great deal of patience and communication, but a solid parenting plan can help get things started in a positive direction. The approach to child custody and schedules can vary depending on how old the children were when the divorce took place, and the parenting plan can take that into account and plan for changes later.

In most cases, infants and very small children rely strongly on a primary caregiver. They may be adjusting to sleeping through the night, toilet training and other developments that often require a great deal of structure. Even if the child remains mostly with the primary caregiver during this period, however, he or she should still have a lot of regularly scheduled time with his or her other parent. Parent-child bonding is essential, and quality time together at any age can play a critical role.

Maybe you had a health scare this past year and spent some time in the hospital, unable to communicate your wishes. This may have been a frightening time as you wondered whether those closest to you really understood the kind of measures you expected doctors to take for your recovery.

On the other hand, perhaps you dealt with the illness of someone who left no instructions about his or her wishes for medical treatment. You may have been frustrated as you debated with other family members over the course of action you thought most appropriate for your ailing loved one. These scenarios play out too frequently because only 30% of adults in the U.S. have a health care directive in place.

Some North Carolina couples who are planning to get married might want to consider a prenuptial agreement. A prenup determines how a couple will divide their property in a divorce. Even if a couple is not planning to have one, they should have a conversation about their finances before the marriage. They may want to consult a legal or financial adviser to find out how they would be divided in case of a divorce. It is best if a prenup is created as early as possible. If it is done too close to the wedding, it could be challenged on the grounds that one person was pressured into signing it.

The prenup may address whether either person will pay alimony and what is considered shared or separate property. This might include income, family trusts, any anticipated inheritances and property owned with others. The prenup can include a provision that each person will keep finances confidential and not discuss them with friends and family.

Women in North Carolina face unique challenges after divorce. Financial issues like being able to provide for their children and planning for their future schooling can hit women hard. Studies show that women, on average, earn 81% of what men earn. After divorce, they experience an average 20% dip in income as opposed to the 30% increase in income typically experienced by men. Divorce leaves women in poverty at a rate three times that of men.

Women are awarded custody in 90% of divorces. They have the financial responsibility to look after their children. Although a man may be required to pay child support, whether or they follow through is a different story.