North Carolina law states that “unlawful sexual conduct” affects child support payments. A dependent spouse who deceived the supporting spouse before separation loses the right to support. A joint and several spouse who deceived the dependent spouse before the separation is obliged to pay maintenance. If both parties made a mistake during the marriage, it is up to the judge to decide whether or not to order maintenance. An exception applies if the fraud has been “tolerated” or forgiven by the other spouse. To help you prepare to talk to a lawyer about a separation agreement, below is a list of questions a lawyer will likely ask you questions about. Weigh each point carefully: If the other party does not comply with a court order, you can file a motion for contempt and/or an application for an injunction to set out the reasons by telling the court which part of the order is being ignored and asking the judge to find that person in contempt of court. If the judge finds that the other party has violated the order, he or she decides on the appropriate sentence. Penalties for contempt of court may include a verbal reprimand, fine, imprisonment, or an obligation for the party to pay the other party`s attorney`s fees. A lawyer can help you with this process.

Under the law, judges consider many factors when deciding whether to award support, including how much each party earns and can earn; the age, education and health of both parties; the duration of the marriage; the property of the parties, contributions during the marriage and needs; marital misconduct; and more. The full list of factors can be found here. Your truthful testimony under oath in court can prove your separation. You can also present other witnesses or documents. A separation agreement between you and your spouse can be helpful in showing the court. It`s also important to note that when applying for legal separation, whatever you agree to in a legal separation agreement may take precedence when you file for divorce. For example, if you agree to let your partner live in the marital home when you apply for a legal separation and continue to make mortgage payments, a judge may order you to continue to do so after a divorce. You and your spouse must decide whether one of you has sole custody of your dependent children or whether you share custody (called joint custody). The couple can negotiate all important issues related to their legal separation. If they reach an agreement, they will then draft a separation agreement. The separation agreement should contain all the details of the division of property, the period of child-rearing, custody, child support and whether one spouse pays maintenance to the other spouse during the period of legal separation. If the couple agrees that they want legal separation, but cannot reach a full settlement, they can plead the outstanding issues during the separation proceedings.

After filing your file, you must ensure that your spouse receives a copy of your summons and complaint. Typically, this means either having to pay a fee for the sheriff to deliver the documents to your spouse in person, or sending the paperwork to your spouse by registered mail, FedEx, or UPS. If you send the documents by mail, you must prove to the court that your spouse received them. In some cases where you can`t find the other person, you may be able to serve them by publishing in a newspaper, but certain requirements apply. The delivery of documents to your spouse himself is not a legal significance. Under the law, an equal division of matrimonial property is preferable, but if one spouse asks for an unequal division and the judge finds that an unequal division would be fair, the court can give one party a larger share of the property or debt than the other. Judges consider many factors when deciding how property should be divided. These factors include income, property and debt of both parties; the age and state of health of the parties; the duration of the marriage; each party`s contributions to the profitability of the others; tax implications; and more.

Spousal misconduct is not an equitable distribution factor, except in cases of financial misconduct after separation. The full list of factors can be found here. If your spouse does not agree with the provision in the application, he or she has the right to file a counter-motion. If this happens and you can`t agree through mediation or collaborative law, you`ll need to go to a judge to resolve the issues you couldn`t agree on. In some cases, legal separation can be as complicated as obtaining a divorce. Legal separation is when you stop living with your spouse, but follow certain living conditions according to a voluntary, written agreement. If a spouse violates the agreement, the family court can enforce it. Can a separation agreement include custody and child support decisions? If people feel that their marriage is likely to end, they can file for divorce or legal separation. Many couples use legal separations to define their responsibilities and rights when deciding whether their marriage can work or end. A couple who have separated can serve as a probationary period before the couple divorces. However, if they decide to divorce, they must file a separate lawsuit. If you and your spouse need to start living apart, but you are not ready or willing to consider a full divorce, a legal separation may be a good choice for you.

Legal separation is similar to divorce; It is used to resolve issues such as financial responsibilities, custody and support, housing, dividing your property, and determining your rights and those of your spouse. However, legal separation does not end your marriage. You have to decide what will happen to your home. For example, you might agree that you or your spouse will not sell the house without each other`s permission. You can be legally separated as long as you and your spouse think it`s better. However, if you plan to use your separation agreement later as the basis for a divorce, you and your spouse must have lived apart for at least one year under your separation agreement.