Appointing the right executor is an important part of drawing up your will. He or she will play an essential role protecting your estate and ensuring distribution according to the terms of the will.
Payroll deduction enhanced for support obligations
Many North Carolina families rely on payroll deductions to collect child support payments. In fact, the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement estimates that 75 percent of the annual $33 billion in collected child support is handled via the payroll deduction program. The agency hopes to improve collection numbers with the implementation of new procedures designed to eliminate confusion and increase efficiency.
Divorce can be costly for senior citizens
Divorce can be costly at any age, but it can be especially hard on North Carolina's senior citizens. Older couples going through a separation will have to split their assets, which must then be used to support two households.
Divorce and division of retirement accounts
A qualified domestic relations order is a document that allows divorcing couples to split a 401(k) account or a pension plan without paying high taxes and penalties. Usually, an attorney will prepare a QDRO in accordance with a plan administrator's instructions regarding the rules for the plan. A North Carolina couple should review a QDRO with their attorneys and make sure the order demonstrates the same intent outlined in the divorce agreement.
How might a vocational expert help your alimony case?
In North Carolina, there are no black-and-white guidelines when it comes to alimony amounts. Rather, judges are tasked with using 16 factors to guide their decisions on post-separation support for divorcing couples. Some of these factors include both spouses' financial needs, their income, the standard of living they are used to and their ability to earn income.
Protecting finances from divorce
North Carolina residents can take steps before and during their marriage to protect their money. Even though it may seem somewhat callous to plan for a divorce, it is a sound financial move and can help secure a financial future if a divorce does occur.
Dads can get full custody in some circumstances
Once upon a time, North Carolina fathers wanting full or joint custody of their children had little hope unless the mother proved completely unfit as a parent. Evolving societal norms have changed the perception of fathers as co-equal parents, and the judicial system is following suit. The current default position in most jurisdictions does not assume either parent is superior to the other in child custody battles. However, hopeful fathers should definitely take care in presenting their case.
