Can I ask the court to reopen or set aside orders if I think the other side filed false or fraudulent paperwork? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina family court, a party can ask the court to set aside or reopen certain orders if fraud affected the result, or if the order…
How can I change or challenge a custody order if I believe my child is being harmed in the other parent’s home? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a custody order can be changed by filing a motion to modify in the existing case and proving a substantial change in circumstances that affects…
Do I need to go to court in person for a divorce like this if there are no property or custody issues? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, no. In North Carolina, an uncontested absolute divorce with no property or custody issues can often be finished without an in-person court appearance by using affidavits or…
What are my options if I can’t afford my current attorney anymore but I still need representation in my custody case? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a parent who cannot afford current counsel in a custody case usually has several practical options: ask the current attorney about a limited-scope plan or payment…
What can I do if I was never properly served with court papers but the case still moved forward and orders were entered? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, improper service can mean the court never gained personal jurisdiction over the person who was supposed to be served. When that happens, the person…
How do I serve divorce papers on a spouse who lives outside the country? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, divorce papers can be served on a spouse who lives outside the country using the same service methods allowed by North Carolina civil rules, or by a method allowed where the spouse is…
What happens if my spouse signs the divorce paperwork overseas—does it still count here? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, yes—North Carolina courts can accept divorce paperwork signed overseas, as long as the case is properly filed in North Carolina and the spouse is properly served under North Carolina rules. A signature from another country…
What can I learn from probate court records about the estate, like who the executor is and what assets were listed? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, probate court records can often show who was appointed to handle the estate (the executor or administrator), whether a will was filed, and what the estate…
How long does it usually take for scanned divorce documents to appear in the court portal? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, there is no statewide rule that requires the Clerk of Superior Court to finish a “legacy scan” of an older divorce file by a specific deadline or to post it to…
If the other parent rarely sees the child and pays money only when asked, how does that affect custody and child support? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a parent’s lack of visitation and “paying only when asked” can matter, but it affects custody and child support in different ways. Custody turns on…