Concord Divorce Attorneys, North Carolina
Guiding Cabarrus County families through the legal process
It’s never easy to admit that a marriage is over – but it’s necessary when spouses simply can’t live with each other. At Epperson Law Group, PLLC, our Concord divorce lawyers help clients divide their property, protect their children, and secure their economic and personal futures. We have combined decades of experience helping clients in Cabarrus County and throughout North Carolina. Our lawyers guide you through the legal process, helping you feel prepared and confident. Call us today.
How can we help?
- What types of divorce cases do your Concord family lawyers handle?
- Is North Carolina a no-fault divorce state?
- What are the grounds for divorce in North Carolina?
- How does a military divorce differ from a standard North Carolina divorce?
- How is property split during a Concord divorce?
- How are divorces resolved in Concord?
- Do you have a Concord divorce lawyer near me?
What types of divorce cases do your Concord family lawyers handle?
At Epperson Law Group, PLLC, we offer comprehensive counsel for divorce clients seeking assistance with:
- Divorce Arbitration
- Divorce Mediation
- Same-Sex Divorce
- Separation Agreements
- Military Divorce
- High-Conflict Divorce
- High-Asset Divorce
Whether your marriage has been relatively short-lived or you’ve been together for 30 years, or you need help crafting or contesting with a premarital or postmarital agreement, our Concord divorce lawyers can help. We are here to guide you at every step, and to protect your future.
Is North Carolina a no-fault divorce state?
In the past, most couples needed a reason to file for divorce, but most states (including North Carolina) are “no-fault” divorce states. This means that the spouse who files for divorce doesn’t have to show cause for the split or that either spouse was at fault.
What are the grounds for divorce in North Carolina?
If you file for grounds for divorce in North Carolina, you can file for either absolute divorce, or divorce from bed and board.
Absolute divorce
There are two requirements to file for an absolute divorce:
- Spouses must have been physically separated for at least one year
- At least one spouse must have resided in North Carolina six months prior to filing
Additionally, the separation must be intended to be permanent by at least one spouse, and they cannot have resumed their marital relationship in the year since their separation.
Divorce from bed and board
Divorce from bed and board, on the other hand, is different. This is a legal separation between spouses, but they remain legally married and neither spouse can remarry unless they get an absolute divorce. Further, in North Carolina, divorce from bed and board is fault-based. According to NC Statute § 50-7, the court grants a divorce from bed and board if either party:
- Abandons the family
- Maliciously turns the other out of the home
- By cruel or barbarous treatment, endangers the life of the other
- Offers such indignities to the other person as to render their condition intolerable and life burdensome
- Becomes an excessive user of alcohol or drugs so as to render the condition of the other spouse intolerable and the life of that spouse burdensome
- Commits adultery
After a divorce from bed and board, a spouse is eligible to seek child support, custody, alimony, and asset distribution. However, if they want to remarry, they will have to secure an absolute divorce. Our Concord attorneys can help you with either type of divorce action.
How does a military divorce differ from a standard North Carolina divorce?
Military divorces bring additional legal issues to the table. Matters of deployment, military pensions, VA disability pay, and relocations require attorneys with specific knowledge of the federal laws which protect our servicemembers as well as their families. Contact us if you have questions about:
- The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
- The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA)
- Military pensions and benefits
- Military housing
How is property split during a Concord divorce?
There are three types of property under North Carolina law – separate property, marital property, and divisible property. In short:
- Separate property is anything owned by either spouse before the marriage, property acquired by one spouse by inheritance or gift during the marriage by a third party, or property acquired post-separation with separate earnings.
- Marital property is anything currently owned that was acquired (including debts created) by both spouses during the marriage. This includes property and assets acquired between the date of marriage and the date of separation.
- Divisible property is any post-separation increases or decreases in the value of marital property. Marital property is valued at the time of separation. However, divisible property is valued at the time of trial, which in some cases can take years.
North Carolina courts divide property under equitable distribution. This doesn’t necessarily mean a 50/50 split, but what the courts consider fair and just under the circumstances. After the value of your marital estate is established, our experienced attorneys fight to protect your interests.
How are divorces resolved in Concord?
There are different ways that divorce disputes can be resolved. Our Concord family law attorneys can help with:
- Negotiated settlements. These are agreements between the spouses and their lawyers. Many divorce disputes can be settled amicably if there are few assets and no children.
- Collaborative divorce. This process involves the spouses, their lawyers, and professionals such as child psychologists and financial appraisers. You and your spouse meet on your own schedule with your lawyers. The experts help both spouses understand the needs of their children and the value of their marital property. After a few sessions, many disputes are resolved through collaboration.
- This process involves a neutral mediator who is normally an experienced North Carolina divorce lawyer. The mediator tries to forge an agreement between the spouses and their lawyers.
- Any unresolved disputes are tried before a Cabarrus County family law judge. The spouses and their witnesses present their testimony in open court. Judges, even during trials, often speak with children in their chambers.
What is the difference between divorce arbitration and mediation?
Using alternative dispute methods like mediation or arbitration can keep you out of court and potentially get your divorce completed more quickly.
- Divorce mediation is a more collaborative process, driven by you and your spouse. A neutral third party guides the negotiations between both sides.
- Divorce arbitration is more like a trial, where the arbitrator acts like a judge and can issue a binding decision.
Our attorneys offer alternative dispute methods and can speak with you on whether this would be a good option for you and your family.
Do you have a Concord divorce lawyer near me?
At Epperson Law Group, we meet clients at our Concord office located at 99 Church St NE. Our family lawyers also consult with spouses by phone and through video conferences. We’ve helped many people going through a divorce secure their financial and personal future.
Experienced, friendly Concord divorce lawyers
The Concord divorce lawyers at Epperson Law Group, PLLC are dedicated to protecting the interests of Cabarrus County clients during the divorce process. We advocate for the best interests of your children and ensure you are treated fairly throughout this difficult time. Don’t hesitate to call us if you need guidance or support. To reserve a consultation at one of our offices in Concord, Boone, Charlotte, or Weddington, please call us fill out our contact form.
Concord Office
99 Church St NE
Concord,
NC 28025
Tel: 704-321-0031