Charlotte Family Law Blog

Our readers in North Carolina who are familiar with previous posts here know that sometimes child custody disputes can become the most contentious part of a divorce case. Or, in those cases in which the parents of the child were never married to begin with, child custody issues can start off as contentious right from the very beginning.

When it comes to deciding child custody -- both legal custody and physical custody -- most family law courts, like to see the couples work out an arrangement that works for both of them. However, sometimes, an out-of-court agreement simply is not possible and, as a result, the parties end up litigating the issue in court. When that happens, a family law judge will weigh certain factors to determine "the best interests of the child" and how to solve the child custody problem.

For couples in North Carolina who are going through a divorce, there is a wide range of issues that can lead to contentious disagreements, including property division, alimony, child support and child custody. Child custody, however, has the potential to be the most explosive issue of all in the case. After all, every parent wants what is best for their child and, if the couple is getting divorced, obviously, they have trouble agreeing on certain issues. That likely includes what exactly is, in fact, best for the child.

But, no matter how contentious a child custody dispute might become, focusing on the children in the case is usually the best way to resolve any conflicts. Family law courts are governed in these situations by attempting to find solutions and arrangements that are in the "best interests of the child."

Couples in North Carolina who are going through a divorce are understandably probably not on the best of terms. After all, the divorce is happening for some reason or another, and the two soon-to-be ex-spouses probably have some negative feelings about one another. Although this is not always the case, it is common. In these types of divorce cases, every issue can become a battleground. Alimony can be a particularly sensitive issue.

Is an alimony dispute dominating a legal case? A recent article noted that alimony issues can be so contentious because being ordered to pay alimony is a "significant obligation." As a result, the article pointed out that it is essential to have a strong grasp of the available legal options.

Alimony, as many of our readers in North Carolina may know, is more commonly becoming known as spousal support. Whatever you call it, this is an issue that, when it comes up in a divorce case, can see the divorcing spouses pitted against each other with strong, negative feelings. After all, since an alimony award oftentimes means that one spouse will be required to continue to pay money to the other spouse even after the divorce is finalized, that ongoing relationship may not be desirable for one or more of the spouses. When it comes to alimony in a divorce case, the right steps to this sensitive issue are crucial.

One of the first steps is to remember that, despite the emotions involved when alimony comes up, it is crucial to protect your interests and legal rights. If you are the soon-to-be ex-spouse who may be ordered to pay alimony, it is important to focus on how you might be able to limit the amount paid out. If you are the one who will be seeking alimony, don't feel guilty about asking for a financial award from the court that is meant to level the playing field between two people who are likely walking away from a relationship on different financial footing.