Can I request a paternity test even if the other parent signed the birth certificate? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a parent (or an alleged father) can ask the court to order genetic testing even if someone signed paperwork that led to a father being listed on the birth certificate. The…
Can my car registration substitute as proof of ownership in court filings? – North Carolina Short Answer Sometimes. In North Carolina, a registration card can help show who the DMV has on file for a vehicle, but the strongest ownership document is the certificate of title. If a court or e-filing portal specifically requires a…
What should I prepare right away if there is an upcoming custody hearing or deadline in my case? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the safest approach is to assume the court will expect organized, admissible evidence and timely notice before a custody issue is heard. Right away, gather every filed court document,…
Are there scanning or copy fees for older divorce records, and how do I pay them? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court can charge fees for copies and certified copies of court records, and a request for a full scan of an older paper divorce file may also…
What can I do legally if I’m being harassed online and by messages from the other parent’s other co-parent? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, online or message harassment by a third party tied to the other parent can sometimes be addressed through a civil no-contact order (Chapter 50C) if the conduct amounts…
How do I file a consent custody modification to change primary residence for the school year where the original order was entered? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, changing a child’s primary residence for the school year generally requires filing a Motion to Modify Child Custody in the same case where the current…
Do both of us need separate attorneys for an uncontested divorce, or can one attorney prepare the paperwork for both of us? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, one attorney generally cannot represent both spouses in an uncontested divorce because the spouses are on opposite sides of the case, which creates a conflict…
What information do I need to answer the questions on the cover worksheet before I send it back? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina family-law filings, the “state action cover worksheet” is an intake sheet that helps the Clerk of Superior Court open the correct case type and assign it to the right…
How long does a divorce usually take if my spouse and I agree on everything versus if we don’t? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, most couples cannot finalize an absolute divorce until they have lived separate and apart for at least one year, with at least one spouse having lived in North…
How can I get a court order to correct my child’s birth date on an amended birth certificate after an adoption? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, fixing an error on an adopted child’s amended birth certificate usually requires working through the State Registrar (NC Vital Records) and, if Vital Records will not…
