Facing legal issues that impact your family can be an emotionally charged, high-stress experience, whether you’re going through a divorce, seeking custody of your child, or planning your future by drafting a prenuptial agreement. Having an experienced Lincolnton family lawyer to guide and support you through these processes can make all the difference.

The team at Caulder & Valentine proudly serves Lincolnton clients as they protect their families and build brighter futures. Our trusted family law attorneys offer compassionate representation and tenacious advocacy when you need it most. Contact us today to learn more in a confidential consultation.

How a Lincolnton Family Law Lawyer Can Help with Your Case

Working with a respected Lincolnton family attorney can relieve much of the stress related to family law cases and make a big difference in achieving the outcomes you’re looking for. Your lawyer can help in the following ways:

  • Offering Legal Guidance – Family law can be complex, and it’s crucial to understand both your legal rights and responsibilities when pursuing any claim. Your lawyer can explain them to you and walk you through the entire legal process so that you’re informed and prepared as you proceed with your case.
  • Developing a Personalized Strategy – Every case, every client, and every family is unique, which means there is no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to family law claims. Your lawyer will work with you to develop a personalized strategy tailored to your specific goals, family dynamics, and unique legal circumstances.
  • Offering Local Insight – Choosing a reputable local family law firm means you’re represented by attorneys familiar with Lincoln County Family Court and all its major players. That knowledge and experience can be tremendously beneficial to your case.
  • Providing Ongoing Support – Whether your case involves parental rights, property division, alimony, or all of the above, there’s always a tremendous emotional component to family law cases. Your attorneys can offer a critical support system as you navigate this difficult situation and seek your desired outcome.
  • Negotiating and Litigating – Whether you’re looking to reach a reasonable settlement at the negotiating table or pursuing a favorable verdict in the courtroom, your attorneys will advocate aggressively for your best interests.

What Are the More Common Family Law Matters?

The following are some of the most common family law cases our family law practice handles in Lincolnton:

Contested Divorce

When spouses disagree over property distribution, child custody, and/or spousal support, the divorce is considered contested. Resolving these cases favorably requires skilled negotiation and, in some instances, litigation. Our lawyers will advocate aggressively for reasonable terms on your behalf of you and your family.

Uncontested Divorce

When both spouses have already resolved all property and support issues, the proceedings are generally a lot smoother, but the legal process must be handled with care and consideration. Our attorneys can make this process even smoother and simpler by drafting and filing all the necessary paperwork, ensuring compliance, and finalizing the divorce as efficiently as possible.

Child Custody

Of all the family law matters we handle, few are as emotional and consequential as child custody cases. We can work to secure a parenting arrangement that prioritizes the child’s best interests and protects your parental rights.

Visitation

Determining visitation schedules so that divorced parents can spend time with their children is another emotionally charged family law matter that can have a tremendous impact on the children. We can help you establish a common-sense, equitable visitation schedule centered around your child’s well-being.

Child Support

We’ll explain what your child support obligations or entitlements are under North Carolina law. When circumstances change, we can also assist you in enforcing or modifying child support to ensure that your child is adequately cared for and your rights are protected.

Parental Relocation

When one of your child’s parents seeks to move out of Lincolnton or Lincoln County with the child, such a move may require court approval. Whether you want to obtain that approval or contest the other parent’s relocation, we’ll aggressively advocate for your rights while prioritizing your child’s best interests.

School Choice

When your child’s education becomes a source of dispute between you and their other parent, you may need to reconsider custody arrangements and involve the family court. We can work with you to seek a fair and reasonable outcome.

Spousal Support/Alimony

Spousal support can be temporary or permanent, depending on factors such as each party’s financial standing and the length of the marriage. Whether you’re requesting alimony or defending against a spousal support claim, we can advocate for a fair outcome on your behalf.

Grandparent Rights

Under certain circumstances, grandparents may seek visitation rights or even full custody of the child. We help grandparents understand and exercise their legal rights in cases where continued contact is in the child’s best interest.

Prenuptial Agreements

A well-drafted prenuptial agreement can offer clarity about financial responsibilities and protect your assets. While the hope is that it never comes into effect, it’s wise to be prepared.

Asset Division/Property Distribution

Under North Carolina law, marital assets are to be divided fairly, which does not necessarily mean they must be divided equally. Fair property distribution requires careful valuation, identification of marital and separate property, and shrewd negotiation. Our lawyers can help you reach a fair and equitable distribution of assets.

Parental Alienation

It’s an unfortunate fact that some parents will attempt to turn their child against the other parent through various forms of manipulation. This is considered emotional abuse, and it’s taken very seriously by Lincoln County Family Court. Our lawyers fight to hold alienating parents responsible and protect your relationship with your child.

Domestic Violence

If you’re experiencing threats or abuse, we can help you obtain a Domestic Violence Protective Order. If you’re being falsely accused of threats or abuse, we’ll fight to protect your rights and bring the truth to light in court.

Annulment

While grounds are limited, there are specific circumstances under which a marriage can be declared invalid in North Carolina law. This is known as “annulment” rather than divorce. Some examples of grounds for annulment include bigamy, lack of consent, and one spouse being underage. We’ll work with you to determine whether annulment is a viable option and pursue it if so.

Paternity Issues

Paternity is a factor that weighs heavily in visitation rights, child support, and custody. We represent both alleged fathers and mothers as they pursue cases involving paternity issues.

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If I Am Getting Divorced, Will My Spouse and I Each Need to Pay for an Attorney?

Both spouses cannot hire the same lawyer, as that would violate the conflict of interest rules that all attorneys are required to obey. This can result in various disciplinary actions for the attorney, including suspension or disbarment.

In some cases of amicable divorce, the separating spouses have had a lawyer represent one of them while the other retains no representation. While this might hypothetically work, the risk is high that the unrepresented spouse might inadvertently agree to unfavorable terms and relinquish their rights. That’s why both spouses should hire their own attorneys regardless of how amicable they may be.

What Property Distribution/Asset Division Issues Often Arise in a Divorce?

North Carolina follows an equitable distribution model when dividing property in a divorce, which means debts and assets are divided fairly. However, “fairly” does not necessarily mean 50/50. The following are some common issues that arise when dividing property in a Lincolnton divorce:

  • Determining Separate vs. Marital Property – Assets acquired through inheritance, via gift, and before marriage may be separate property in North Carolina, while most other assets acquired during the marriage is considered marital property.
  • Handling the Family Home – The marital home is often among the most valuable and emotionally significant assets in any divorce. Determining whether the house is sold, one spouse buys out the other, or they continue to co-own is often a hotly contested topic.
  • Valuation of Assets – For the equitable distribution model to work as intended, property must be accurately valued. That requires careful analysis of all assets, including real estate, vehicles, jewelry, art, collectibles, businesses, stock portfolios, and retirement accounts. These valuations are often disputed.
  • Handling Debt Division – Just like assets, debts are divided equitably in a divorce. That includes mortgages, auto loans, joint credit cards, personal loans, and student loans. Determining a fair allocation of these debts is a significant point of contention in many divorces.
  • Hidden Assets – Some spouses will attempt to hide assets and protect them from division in a divorce. Uncovering these hidden assets often requires working with financial professionals.

Contact a Lincolnton Family Law Attorney Today

Whether you’re seeking divorce, visitation rights, or legal guardianship of a child, you need a North Carolina family law attorney to guide, support, and advocate for you. The team at Caulder & Valentine is dedicated to helping individuals and families throughout Lincolnton navigate these complex and emotionally charged legal challenges, seeking optimal outcomes. Contact us today to set up your confidential consultation.