What to Know About Separating and Divorce Planning
Prior to divorce, a one-year legal separation period is required in North Carolina. This is a critical period, in many ways more important than the actual divorce, because this is when the separation agreement is negotiated. Before agreeing to any terms or signing any separation agreement, let an experienced lawyer carefully review your situation.
At Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A., in Matthews, we have more than 30 years of experience helping people in Union County and the Charlotte area. We know the importance of reviewing your situation carefully to ensure that a separation agreement meets your unique needs.
Two Separate Residences
Some people think they can separate and simply move into different rooms in the family home. This is not the case. You and your spouse must truly separate, meaning one of you has to move out of the family home and into a different residence. This is an absolute must.
You should not move out of the family home before consulting with an experienced attorney at our firm to ensure that you understand your legal rights.
Factors That Need to Be Considered When Separating
Legal separation sets the stage for divorce. For this reason, the following factors need to be considered when preparing a separation agreement:
- Are there children involved? If so, issues of child custody and visitation, as well as child support, will need to be addressed.
- What property do you and your spouse share? What debt? How will the property and debt be divided?
- Will one spouse be required to pay the other spouse alimony because of a difference in earning power or another issue?
We will work closely with you to make certain that every detail is carefully considered. We will review all of these factors in relation to the goals you want to achieve because we want to help you get the best possible outcome.
How Can We Help You?
If you are separating in North Carolina and want to find out how we can help you, call 704-321-8031 or e-mail us to schedule an appointment with our experienced attorneys.
