Not all marriages are made in heaven. If divorce seems like an impending decision in your marriage, probably it’s time to take action. Hiring a lawyer is not mandatory to file for divorce in North Carolina, but you definitely need legal representation. In this post, we are discussing more on basics of NC divorce and why you must consider engaging one of experienced Wilmington attorneys.
Basics for divorce
North Carolina is among the states that allows for no-fault divorce. This means that you don’t need a specific ground or blame your spouse to get a divorce. However, there are also valid grounds – incurable insanity and marital misconduct – for filing for divorce in North Carolina. The requirements include staying apart and separately for at least a period of one year. This should be a continuous year. Also, to file for divorce here, one of the spouses must be resident of North Carolina and must have lived in the state for at least six months.
Should you hire an attorney for your divorce?
While this is a personal call, there are many benefits of having an attorney by your side, such as-
- Expertise. You know that a lawyer can guide on all aspects of your divorce. For instance, for some couples, legal separation may make more sense than an absolute divorce. Your lawyer can also offer insight on grounds and options that will make the whole process as simple as possible.
- Protecting your interests. You may agree on many aspects of the divorce and probably are in sync with your spouse on important considerations. However, you still need an attorney, just to protect your rights and interests. Your lawyer will ensure that you don’t take a decision that can impact your future adversely.
- For negotiations. When a couple decides to file for divorce, matters like child custody, child support, and alimony become immediate concerns. To avoid ugly fights and a court case, it makes sense to allow an attorney to handle negotiations related to the divorce. They can talk with your spouse and their lawyer, to minimize friction.
A skilled divorce lawyer in NC can ensure that you are aware of all options. Also, it is quite a relief to know that an expert is taking care of the paperwork and divorce proceedings. Talk to your lawyer in advance about your expectations related to the divorce, so that they can offer genuine advice on resolving issues.
