If it's time to go to family court, there may be a problem in your family. These things happen all the time, and no one should feel fear or shame inside a family courtroom. This goes double for children, who are almost always there due to circumstances out of their control.
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Laws can break families apart. Although family courts must act in the best interests of children and others who cannot speak for themselves, laws can seem coldly deferential to parents and other concerned parties. That is why lawyers must sometimes work to keep families together.
Earnings difference increases divorce risk
Over the past several decades, women in North Carolina and around the country have made great strides within the workforce. As a result, it is generally excepted that women will contribute to the household income after marriage. However, recent studies have shown that as income is valued within a marriage, if the wife's salary exceeds that of her husband, their relationship may suffer. In fact, statistics show a 33% increase in divorce among such couples.
What courts may consider "income" for support purposes
People in North Carolina who are getting a divorce and who expect to pay spousal or child support might wonder how courts calculate what that payment will be. A court will generally look at all sources of income and make a decision that is intended to keep the family at a lifestyle level similar to the one they had during the marriage.
The link between attractiveness and divorce
For the most part, individuals in North Carolina tend to marry or enter into relationships with those who are roughly the same level of attractiveness. This can be a good thing as those who marry people who are more attractive than they are could be at a higher risk of divorce. There are two main reasons for this, according to researchers.
How parents can guide their children through divorce
Separated parents in North Carolina may be able to take steps to help their children through the process of divorce. First, parents should try as much as possible to avoid disrupting the child's routine. Even if exes do not agree on all aspects of parenting, they can still strive for consistency in certain areas. Furthermore, as long as parents do not fear that the other parent's decisions are causing the child harm, they should be supportive or at least neutral about them.
Child support and buying a home
North Carolina residents who owe back child support and are looking to purchase a home may be concerned about whether their delinquent child support payments will hinder their efforts to be a homeowner. They should be aware that delinquent child support can qualify as a derogatory credit issue, which can lower the likelihood that they will be approved for a mortgage. However, they may have other options as there are loan programs that do not disqualify applicants because of child support arrearage.
Collection of unpaid medical expenses from noncustodial parent
A child support agreement developed between parents in North Carolina sometimes addresses the expenses that could arise for a child's uninsured or unreimbursed medical expenses. These costs represent bills in addition to health insurance premiums, such as co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions or dental and vision expenses not covered by insurance. A child support order could describe specifically when a noncustodial parent must pay a portion of these extraordinary medical expenses. A custodial parent, however, might encounter difficulty collecting payment if the other parent protests the cost or the support order does not clearly address the situation.
The basics of child support in North Carolina
While men generally pay child support more often than women do, any noncustodial parent in North Carolina can be responsible for making payments to the parent who has custody regardless of gender. There are several additional factors taken into consideration when determining how much child support is awarded and which parent will receive it. First of all, a relationship to the child must be established. With mothers, this is typically done with a record of the child's birth.
The four different child support classifications
A child support case in North Carolina or any other state can have one of four designations. Each label begins with "IV" in reference to Title IV of the Social Security Act of 1975. If a case has an IV-D label, it means that a parent has asked for help from the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE). Cases with a non-IV-D designation involve parents who receive support without seeking such assistance.
