On the emotional level, adoption occurs when you open your household to a child born to another family and love them as your own. Legally, it is the process of transferring parental rights from one parent or set of parents to another. In North Carolina, there are different types of adoptions, bu...
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Navigating the Holidays as a Co-Parent
The 2020 holiday season has already thrown many of us for a loop with COVID-19, stay-at-home orders, and remote learning for our little ones. On top of these considerations, many parents are facing the holiday season with a new title: co-parent. If you're dreading the next couple of months, know ...
Considering Adoption in North Carolina? How to Prepare
Are you thinking about bringing a new child into your family through adoption? If becoming an adoptive parent is on your radar, there are some steps you can take to prepare before you really dive into the process. If you're interested in getting ahead of the game, read on! Understand What “Adopti...
Four Reasons It’s a Good Idea to Have a Premarital Agreement
Premarital agreements, which are also called prenuptial agreements or prenups, might not seem very romantic, but they're an excellent way for you and your partner to protect yourself and grow closer. At The Law Offices of Regina M. Taylor, we believe that premarital agreements are an essential to...
Four Benefits of Legal Re-Adoption
If you've adopted a child from abroad, you may have heard the term “re-adoption.” This concept can be confusing and overwhelming for parents. In today's blog post we're breaking it down so that you can better understand what it is and why it is sometimes necessary. If you are the parent of an int...
North Carolina Alimony FAQ
If you are getting divorced in North Carolina, you likely have questions about alimony, also known as spousal support, especially if you or your spouse earns a significantly higher income than the other. In today's blog post, we're answering some of the most commonly asked questions about NC alim...
Adoption Basics: What You Need to Know to Get Started
Adoption is the process wherein the legal relationship between a parent and a child is established where no biological relationship exists. The minor child must be either “free for adoption” or “given in adoption” by an authorized individual or an agency. In North Carolina, the court is not allow...
Four Reasons Unwed Fathers Need to Establish Paternity of Their Children
In North Carolina, as in most states, an unwed father is not automatically assumed to be his child's parent, like a father who is married to his child's mother would be. In order to have the legal rights of a father, unwed men must take steps to legally establish their paternity of their children...
Don’t Risk it: Protect Your Finances From Coronavirus Complications
Many Americans spend a lot of time and effort in managing their finances. While most are worried about how the coronavirus (COVID-19) will impact their income—whether that's because they are temporarily furloughed, find themselves suddenly without a job, or watching their investment and retiremen...
Coronavirus and Child Support
Today we are living in a world that just a few weeks to a month or two ago, most of us never would have imagined. As we face our new reality, we rush to put systems in place that will allow us a semblance of normalcy and keep us closer to our routines and order from before. For parents who rely o...
A New Beginning: Tips for Starting Fresh After a Divorce
The divorce process is emotionally draining and can take a huge toll on you. However, when it is finally over, the freedom you feel is simultaneously amazing and terrifying. When you are divorced, you are liberated. Deciding what to do with that liberation is a wonderful adventure. At the Law Off...
Stepparent Adoptions vs. Second Parent Adoptions
Are you looking to become the legal parent of your partner's child? North Carolina law has provisions for many different types of couples who want to adopt a child, whether or not they're genetically related to the child. However, unlike many other states, North Carolina does not allow couples to...
3 Legal Issues that Arise with ART
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is a medical technology that makes it possible for individuals and couples to fulfill their dream of becoming parents. Conception (usually with physician assistance) is achieved using gametes (eggs and sperm) either from a donor or from the intended parent(s...
How Are Debts Handled in a Divorce?
Ending a marriage is a decision that comes with serious financial consequences. For many couples, one of the most significant areas of stress is the division of assets and debts. Knowing how North Carolina divides debt during divorce can help you plan ahead, budget, and get ready for the next sta...
Blending the Family: Four Tips for a Smooth Transition
Are you divorced with kids? Have you found a new partner who has children of their own? Have you made the decision to blend your two families into one? Making the move to blend your families is an exciting yet nerve wracking time. There are probably a thousand questions swarming in your head. Wha...
4 Tips for Handling Arguments with an Angry Spouse
When you're arguing with your spouse, things can become heated. This is especially true when you're in the process of getting a divorce. Once you've accepted that your relationship will not work out, and saving the marriage is no longer an option, it becomes easier for resentments to grow. Even s...
Alienation of Affection Explained
Have you been cheated on? If you are a married or formerly married person in North Carolina, you have a type of lawsuit at your disposal that people in most other states do not have: Alienation of Affection. These lawsuits are sometimes referred to as “homewrecker” or “heartbalm” lawsuits. So, wh...
A Brief Guide to Changing Your Name After a Divorce
After a divorce, many women want to be rid of their ex-husband's last name. Our names are closely associated with our identities. Going back to your maiden name can feel transformative and empowering. Many women see it as a symbol of beginning the next chapter of their lives. Divorce is full of e...
Understanding Your Custody Options in North Carolina
Each family is different, and therefore, there are many types of child custody which can be used to describe the legal rights of caregivers depending on their particular situation. In some circumstances, more than one type of care can be put in place if it serves the best interests of the child a...
5 Reasons to Establish Paternity
Establishing paternity can have benefits for both parents and child, and for unmarried parents, there are two ways to go about this. The first is to sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form; the second is via the courts. Why is it so important to establish paternity? Here are five bene...
A Brief Guide to Third Party Custody
Third-party custody is where a person or persons other than the child's biological parents are given parental rights and take over parental responsibilities. Usually, child custody and visitation rights are decided in court and, where possible, the biological parents will be granted custody right...
Prenuptial Agreements Aren't as Bad as You Think
If you are in the process of planning your wedding and your partner requests a prenuptial agreement prior to the wedding date, you may be initially insulted at the lack of romance behind the formality and say, “Let's call the whole thing off.” But there are many reasons why a couple should consid...
Understanding "No-Fault" Divorce
In 1999, Park Overall starred in the movie The Price of a Broken Heart, which was based on the true story of North Carolina couple Dot and Joseph Hutelmyer, who were happily married, at least until Joseph got romantically involved with his secretary. Dot sued her husband's lover for alienation of...
5 Benefits of a Marital Separation Agreement
Divorce can be complicated and painful, but a marital separation agreement can help make the dissolution of the marriage less bitter and acrimonious because it can ultimately save you both money. A marital separation agreement is an arrangement between a husband and wife that settles the most pre...
A Brief Overview of Domestic Violence Injunctions in North Carolina
For those living with domestic violence, a problem that can impact those of any age or economic status, the situation can seem hopeless. An abusive partner can control not only finances and transportation but also time by monitoring the whereabouts of a victim throughout the day, making it diffic...