DOMESTIC / FAMILY LAW
“Legal Help You Can Trust with Any Family Law Matter”
Greene Law Offices, PLLC helps people in Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston and Rutherford County, North Carolina find creative solutions to family law problems. Whether you are considering marriage and want a premarital agreement, or you're considering divorce and need to negotiate custody and property division, our experienced family law attorneys, Our attorneys at Greene Law Offices, PLLC, offer effective guidance and support.
Family law is an area of practice that we at the Greene Law Offices, PLLC take very seriously. Our attorneys understand the importance of helping families with their legal matters, including divorce, legal separation, child custody/support, spousal support (alimony), visitation rights, prenuptial agreements and division of marital property. Additionally, they help clients with paternity issues in North Carolina.
Greene Law Offices, PLLC is a small firm and because we are small, we can devote ourselves to you as an individual and treat your case as exactly that, individual. Our attorneys will try to look at what your best interests and wishes and your family's best interests are and represent you based on what you desire and not what they think should be done based upon an outline.
Greene Law Offices, PLLC is willing to represent either Plaintiffs or Defendants, men or women, in any of the three most common areas addressed during a separation and divorce: Equitable Distribution, Custody and Spousal Support (alimony). Each of these areas is looked at by the courts from a different perspective and in a different manner and are considered different causes of action, but are usually confronted at the same time. Greene Law Offices, PLLC offers services ranging from a simple consultation to representation during complex and lengthy litigation. The nature and extent of the services needed will, of course, depend upon your individual circumstances.Often in a family law matter, emotions and stress run high. By working with an experienced lawyer, you have the benefit of legal representation that will allow for your interests to be protected – and you will be able to focus on your family while your lawyer handles your case. Greene Law Offices, PLLC, we have the experience and the resources to help you with your family law matter. Attorney Greene will devote themselves to you as both an advisor and counselor to help you through the trying and difficult experience of your separation or divorce in a manner that is the least stressful possible given your circumstances.
Many would say that family is the most important thing in their life. When difficulties arise in the home environment, an attorney can provide you with the solid foundation and the support you need in order to do whatever is needed to have the best effect for your future and your family’s future. Life is unexpected, and issues such as divorce are bound to arise. While separation/divorce is not easy, our Attorneys hope to ease some of the stress and give you a shoulder on which you can lean for at least one aspect of the life changing experience of separation/divorce.
We will keep you informed at every step of the way so you can feel confident and comfortable in trusting your family law case with us. Compassion, experience and the willingness to be aggressive when necessary are all abilities that your divorce lawyer should have. Your lawyer should understand what you are going through, what to do and then fight to help you reach a conclusion for your divorce which is best for you and your family. Greene Law Offices, PLLC, we have these qualities.
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
Some couples shy away from the idea of a prenuptial agreement, but in our experience, high-income clients and people entering second marriages gain peace of mind by discussing issues up front and establishing a prenuptial agreement. It ensures that both parties needs will be met.
In second marriage situations, it ensures the inheritance rights of children from a first marriage and protects the second wife's interests, too. We help couples through the process of drafting a prenuptial agreement that is fair and enforceable in Court.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RESTRAINING ORDERS
If your marriage has been affected by physical or emotional violence, you need and deserve protection under the law. Our family law attorneys will work hard to ensure you receive protection with a domestic violence restraining order (50B). We understand this is difficult and you may feel fearful of speaking to a lawyer, but for your safety, and that of children in your family, please contact us today at (704) 482-7877. Take that first step toward finding peace and safety.
CHILD CUSTODY
As difficult as divorce may be for the couple involved, it is harder for children. The actions you take during this stressful time, and the decisions you make about child custody, visitation, and child support will have a long-lasting impact on your children's well-being and their future.
Common Misconceptions About North Carolina Child Custody:
“Mothers always get custody." This is no longer the case. Each parent will have to present a strong case in court for why they should have primary custody—or why they and their former partner can successfully manage shared custody. We work with child psychologists and therapists to document our case for custody if necessary.
“Children can decide who they want to live with." This is not true. If the parents have not reached a decision about custody between themselves, a family law judge will decide. The judge will interview children in chambers and may give consideration to a young person's wishes (especially if they are teens), but the judge will ultimately take a more comprehensive view than a child is capable of taking.
“Visitation is dependent upon child support." It is not. You cannot withhold visitation from your child's other parent because he or she is behind in child support. If you do, you risk being taken back to court.
Whatever the result in your custody decision, you will be co-parenting with your former spouse for years to come. Maintaining or building a good working relationship now will benefit you in the future.
MODIFICATION OF CHILD CUSTODY AGREEMENTS
A child custody decision that met the needs of an infant/toddler/7-year-old will not necessarily meet the needs of a 15-year-old. As children grow and family situations change, child custody and visitation agreements may need to be modified. That will require a court appearance and evidence that the proposed new child custody arrangement meets the child's needs. Some cases that require modification of a child custody order include:
- Parental unfitness due to drug/alcohol abuse
- Custodial parent is unable to provide care due to illness or incarceration (jail)
- Child wants to live with the other parent for valid reasons, including access to schools
- Custodial parents are moving away
Allow us to help you reach a child custody agreement that protects your children and your relationship with them. Whether you need reasoned and compassionate legal help with a child custody case or aggressive representation to help with divorce/separation which may include spousal support, division of marital property, etc. contact Greene Law Offices, PLLC.
CHILD SUPPORT
Every child deserves the support of his or her parents, and that includes financial support. Most parents want to provide for their children, but they do not always know how to get the support their child needs and they don't always agree on how much support is really necessary.
The law has taken some of the guesswork out of support by providing child support guidelines. The guidelines state how much support will be provided based upon the income of the non-custodial parent and the number of children being supported. However, the guidelines do not account for special needs that children may have, and they don't address the issues of very high income couples.Whether establishing an inital Child Support Order, Modifying an Order presently in place (due to loss of job, significant decrease in pay, child’s increased needs, etc.) and/or enforcement of a child support Order (having trouble receiving or paying your court ordered child support), allow us to help you present your case for child support or help with enforcement of your child support Order. Contact our Attorneys at the Greene Law Offices, PLLC.
LEGAL SEPARATION / DIVORCE
“Let Us Work on Your Case….So You Can Work on Your New Life”
The decision to end a marriage is a difficult one, even for couples who are very unhappy together. It will change almost every area of your life; sometimes in ways you don’t expect.
Many couples go into divorce wanting to work things out in a friendly manner, believing that they can reach agreement. Despite good intentions, that doesn't always happen. Emotions are stirred up, tempers flare, and what began as a conversation ends in a shouting match. That's why it's valuable to work with an experienced divorce lawyer right from the start.
In North Carolina you can’t get a divorce until you have been legally separated for a minimum of one year. This means the divorce begins with a legal separation agreement which addresses issues pertaining to mortgage payments, division of marital assets/property, child custody/visitation, etc.
Family court requires mediation whenever a divorce lawsuit has been filed. At Greene Law Offices, PLLC, we are active participants in that process, gathering evidence and providing counsel to ensure our clients' interests are protected. Many cases do not get resolved in mediation, but the effort is often worthwhile because it helps to define issues and areas of agreement.
Property division is a significant area of disagreement. The most important first step is getting an accurate assessment of the family assets. For those with large estates, this will require the help of financial experts and forensic economists. Valuing personal property, businesses, and pensions is complex. And every asset is not the same when it comes to taxation. Your agreement on alimony may be affected by a decision about property division as well.
At Greene Law Offices, PLLC, our Attorneys will be the assertive advocate for their client’s interests in negotiation, mediation, and litigation in divorce court. Contact our office today.
SEPARATION AGREEMENTS
Absent an order for Divorce from Bed and Board (a rarely issued, court ordered separation), there is no such thing as "legal separation" in North Carolina. When a married couple separates and at least one of them has the intention to divorce, the only requirement for divorce is separation for at least a year and a day. Before or during the period of separation, issues between the spouses can be resolved using a Separation Agreement. If they chose to, they can then use the agreement as the terms of their divorce.
A Separation Agreement, also known as a property settlement agreement or marital separation agreement, is a private, written, legally binding contract spelling out each spouse's rights, and settling issues between spouses who have or intend to separate and/or divorce. Even if a divorce is not planned, and the separation is a "trial separation", a legal agreement between the spouses can be extremely valuable. A Separation Agreement can resolve any issue the couple is willing to agree on, such as; child custody and visitation, child support, property division, alimony, how to treat future earnings, debt, insurance, inheritance, issues involving children's education, religion, and discipline, taxes, and intimate relationships after separation and prior to divorce.
There are many benefits for spouses willing to work out issues in a Separation Agreement:
Cost - The cost to negotiate and draft a Separation Agreement is much less expensive than litigation (going to court).
Flexibility - Spouses have the freedom to negotiate each issue and find creative solutions. The spouses negotiating a Separation Areement can specify conditions that a judge cannot.
Privacy - Unlike court documents, a Separation Agreement is not public record and no one has access to the terms of your Agreement.
Time - A court trial can be a long, involved, and time-consuming process. Resolving issues through a Separation Agreement can save a significant amount of time. Even if spouses can only agree on some of the issues, and request that the court decided the others, the time and money save is well worth the effort.
Separation Agreements should be drafted by a lawyer. At Greene Law Offices, PLLC, allow an experienced attorney to prepare a Separation Agreement for you, or review an Agreement drafted by someone else.
If you do not have a lawyer, and the Agreement was drafted by your spouse, your spouse's lawyer, or even by a mediator or lawyer/mediator who was hired by both spouses, you should always take any Agreement to a lawyer to have it reviewed before you sign it. Once you and your spouse sign and have the Agreement notarized, it is binding. Unless the terms of the Agreement are unconscionable, or the agreement itself is a result of fraud, coercion, or duress, the courts tend to accept the terms as written. Attempting to have a Separation Agreement overturned is difficult. The exception to this is when children are involved. No Agreement between the parties can bind the Court in regards to support, custody, visitation rights, or the education of a child.
HANDLING SIMPLE AND COMPLEX CASES
At the Greene Law Offices, PLLC we provide superior legal representation that is cost-effective. We truly believe in helping people and do so through our legal services in a number of areas, including divorce and family law. Attorney Greene handles cases throughout Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston and Rutherford County, North Carolina.
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Do not waste any time; contact experienced and knowledgeable Attorneys at Greene Law Offices, PLLC as soon possible.
Call (704) 482-7877 We look forward to hearing from you!
The information you obtain at Greene Law Offices, PLLC website (www.nicholegreenelaw.com) is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. The information and materials is for the sole purpose of marketing and should not be construed to be legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer / client affiliation.
Greene Law Offices, PLLC is a Shelby, North Carolina law firm in good standing with the North Carolina Bar Association wherein our Attorneys practice in the areas of NC Traffic Violations, NC Personal Injury, NC Criminal Defense, NC Domestic Law, NC Estate Planning and Probate, and Social Security and Disability. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
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Clev. & Ruth. County
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