Waxhaw Divorce Lawyer

Waxhaw Divorce Attorney

Every divorce comes with unique emotional and legal challenges. Whether the decision was mutual or one person suddenly decided to end the marriage, you should never deal with these challenges alone. If you are going through a divorce, teaming up with a divorce lawyer in Waxhaw can provide you with the support and guidance you need to navigate the legal process properly.

Your Waxhaw Divorce and Family Law Firm

Lehnhardt Price Family Law always puts our clients first. We believe that personalized and compassionate assistance is the strongest form of aid in cases like divorces, which is why our team of Waxhaw family lawyers has been able to successfully represent North Carolina residents for over a decade. While no divorce is ever easy to go through, working with one of our devoted attorneys can make a difference. Don’t wait to ask how Lehnhardt Price Family Law can help you today.

Understanding North Carolina’s Divorce Laws

Because divorce laws vary from state to state, it’s important to educate yourself on North Carolina’s unique requirements before moving forward with your case. While the general divorce process in Waxhaw will be similar to most states, North Carolina does have separation and residency requirements that must be met before couples can file. Those requirements are:

• One or both spouses must be a resident of North Carolina for at least six months.
• Spouses must be legally separated for one full year before they can file for divorce.

North Carolina is also a no-fault divorce state, which allows individuals to file for divorce without having to give a reason as to why. It also means that both spouses will receive unbiased treatment during their case, regardless of who filed for divorce and why they did so.

The Difference Between Contested and Uncontested Divorces in North Carolina

Your divorce will be classified as either “contested” or “uncontested.” When a divorce is uncontested, this simply means that the served spouse agrees with the terms that were set, so the case doesn’t need to move to litigation. When a divorce is contested, however, this means that both spouses are unable to make agreements on certain divorce matters, meaning they must go through mediation or litigation to make decisions on each issue.

Generally, uncontested divorces do not take as long as contested divorces to be finalized because agreements on each issue have already been made, and the divorce is relatively amicable. Contested divorces can take months, sometimes even years, to resolve due to constant court dates and new arguments arising. If you’re unsure whether your divorce qualifies as contested or uncontested, don’t hesitate to consult our lawyers.

What You’ll Need to Address in a Waxhaw Divorce

Because a divorce legally ends a marriage, there are a plethora of decisions that must be made before a settlement can be finalized. If you’re getting divorced in Waxhaw, North Carolina, you can expect the following matters to arise:

• Child Custody: For married couples who had families together, two imperative aspects must be addressed regarding their children. One of these matters is known as child custody, which is the legal right of a parent to either have their child live with them or make decisions on their child’s behalf. When you’re fighting for legal or physical custody, it’s essential that you have a child custody lawyer in Waxhaw advocating for you in court.
• Child Support: Child support is a court-ordered payment that is required when two parents split up. The goal of child support is to ensure that both parents still share responsibility for their children and support their needs. In most child support cases, payments are awarded to the parent who spends more time with the child or has a lower income. If you need assistance with child support, consult a Waxhaw attorney for child support.
• Property Division: Property division cases can easily become complex since two people’s shared life must be split in half. Because North Carolina follows the rules of equitable distribution, you should always discuss your needs with a lawyer who can negotiate for your interests. This way, they can work to ensure you receive a fair division of property and are not taken advantage of. Contact a Waxhaw lawyer for property division to protect your rights.
• Spousal Support: If one spouse believes they need alimony, they must request it from their spouse and their Waxhaw family court. Spousal support is not granted in every divorce and will only be provided if the requesting spouse can demonstrate they are in need. Spouses have the right to request alimony both during their divorce and after it is finalized. For help, reach out to a spousal support lawyer in Waxhaw.

How Can a Waxhaw Attorney Help You Through a Divorce?

No one should have to go through the divorce process on their own, regardless of how amicable it may be. When you decide to work with one of our adept lawyers, you also give yourself the chance to receive much-needed support during complex legal proceedings. The following are just a few ways that our firm may be able to serve you during a Waxhaw divorce:

Assistance Filing or Responding to a Divorce Claim

Our lawyers at Lehnhardt Price Family Law share experience representing individuals looking to file for divorce as well as those who have to respond to divorce papers. This part of the process is often emotional and comes with a variety of legal details to address, which is why we recommend working with an attorney as soon as you want to file or right after you are served.

Help Understanding North Carolina Divorce Laws and Your Rights

Every spouse has rights when going through a divorce in North Carolina. It’s imperative that you not only know your rights but also that you have a lawyer who can advocate for them. Because our attorneys have decades of collective experience, we can help educate you on the divorce process, your rights during different proceedings, and what steps may be right for you. Understanding the spousal support guidelines in North Carolina can be crucial in these cases, ensuring you are well-prepared.

Representation During Litigation

Litigation can become intense quickly, especially when the divorcing spouses are fighting over issues like child custody. If your divorce is contested, you will most likely have many court dates during which you’ll have to discuss different issues. To ensure that your needs are acknowledged and fought for during a divorce, you should always have an attorney by your side during litigation.

Negotiation on Your Behalf

Negotiating on your own can be arduous, especially when you’re already dealing with an immense amount of stress. When you hire a qualified divorce lawyer, you have an experienced negotiator to advocate for you. In addition, our attorneys have first-hand experience with common divorce issues and sneaky tactics. This allows us to quickly identify when the other party is fighting for an unfair settlement. It’s also important to be aware of the spousal support process in North Carolina to understand what might be expected.

FAQs About Waxhaw, NC Divorce Laws

How Long Does It Take to Get Divorced in Waxhaw, North Carolina?

While every divorce follows the same general process, there are a myriad of factors that will impact the total length of your case. Whether or not your divorce is contested, if children are involved, and the ability of each party to compromise can all affect how long it takes to settle your divorce. On average, an uncontested divorce may take a few weeks or months, whereas a contested divorce may take a few months or years.

What Is a Simple Divorce, and How Does It Work?

A simple divorce, also commonly called an “absolute divorce,” occurs when the filing spouse doesn’t need any decisions on property division or spousal support to be made. This simply means that they’re okay with whatever their spouse or a judge decides because their main goal is to end the marriage. It’s often easier for individuals without children to file for a simple divorce. Understanding the steps involved in divorce planning in North Carolina can also help streamline the process.

What Is Divorce Litigation?

When a divorce is contested, litigation can be used to make decisions on each legal issue. Litigation is a legal process in which two parties and their attorneys go to court to present their demands, compromises, and arguments. During divorce litigation, you and your spouse will take turns discussing issues like property division, child custody, spousal support, and more. In these cases, being informed about property division strategies in North Carolina can provide you with a stronger position in negotiations.

Do You Need a Separation Agreement Before a Divorce in North Carolina?

While the state does require married couples to separate for a full year before divorcing, they don’t have to legally acquire an official agreement if they don’t want to. Because many people who separate know that they are doing so to divorce, they often wait to address the varying legal issues until the divorce takes place. However, having a separation agreement lawyer in Waxhaw, NC can make the divorce process smoother and more predictable.

Lehnhardt Price Family Law: Your Waxhaw Divorce Lawyers

When it comes to divorce, it’s never too early to seek legal help. At Lehnhardt Price Family Law, we offer compassionate, comprehensive divorce services for residents of Waxhaw and beyond. We understand that no divorce is simple, which is why we put the same amount of time, energy, and care into every case brought to us. If you’re looking for supportive and effective divorce representation in Waxhaw, North Carolina, contact Lehnhardt Price Family Law today.