What Happens to Marital Debt in a North Carolina Divorce?

You signed the mortgage together. The credit cards were for groceries, school supplies, and family vacations. Now that the marriage is ending, you’re wondering who gets stuck with the debt. In a North Carolina divorce, marital debt is divided through equitable distribution, which starts with a presumption of an equal (50/50) division...
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Dividing 401(k)s, Military Pensions & Other Retirement Accounts in NC Equitable Distribution

In North Carolina, a divorcing couple must divide their marital property, including retirement accounts or assets. However, dividing retirement assets can involve particular legal procedures to avoid serious financial or tax consequences, making it critical for spouses to have experienced legal counsel when negotiating or litigating the division of retirement benefits during...
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Can You Modify Alimony After a Job Loss? What NC Courts Consider

Losing a job can disrupt your finances, especially if you pay or receive alimony. In North Carolina, alimony may be modified after a “substantial and material change in circumstances,” but proving you’ve experienced such a change takes more than showing income loss. This post explains how courts review modification requests, key evidence...
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Strangulation in Domestic Assault: Why This Felony Is Different

Strangulation in a domestic violence context is treated differently from other assault charges in North Carolina. While many people think of domestic assault as a single category, the law recognizes that strangulation presents unique physical dangers. North Carolina’s Strangulation Law Unlike many other crimes, there...
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Protective Orders vs. Criminal DV Charges—What’s the Difference?

When domestic violence arises in New Bern, you can face both civil and criminal consequences—but knowing how they work can give you clarity and control. Let’s look at how Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPOs) differ from criminal domestic violence charges in North Carolina, and why that matters in practice.
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