In this blog: North Carolina generally presumes an equal division of marital and divisible property is equitable, although courts may consider factors supporting a different result.High-asset divorces may involve closely held businesses, investment accounts, real estate, retirement assets, deferred compensation, and substantial debt.Classification and valuation can have a major influence on which assets are Read More
What to Know Before You Pursue Divorce in North Carolina
In this blog: North Carolina spouses generally must live in separate residences for at least one year and one day before pursuing an absolute divorce.Property division and alimony claims generally must be asserted before the divorce becomes final or those rights may be lost.Custody and child support may be addressed separately from the divorce itself.Reviewing finances, parenting concerns, and long-term Read More
Why Does North Carolina Require a Real Estate Attorney at Closing?
When buying or selling a home in North Carolina, clients are often surprised to learn that a licensed attorney is involved in the closing process.If you're moving from another state, you may have worked with a title company or escrow company in the past and wonder why North Carolina does things differently. More Than a Signature at the Closing TableMany people assume the attorney's job is simply to Read More
What ALTA’s New Identity Verification Standards Mean for North Carolina Real Estate Closings
For North Carolina real estate attorneys, title professionals, lenders, Realtors, buyers, and sellers, ALTA's updated Best Practices are more than an industry recommendation. They represent a significant shift toward stronger fraud prevention measures at a time when impersonation schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated.Because North Carolina is an attorney-closing state, closing attorneys already serve as Read More
Looking for a Title or Escrow Company in North Carolina? What You Really Need Is a Real Estate Attorney
If you're buying, selling, or refinancing property in North Carolina and you're relocating from another state, one of the first things you may search for is a "title company" or "escrow company."That makes perfect sense. In many states, title companies handle real estate closings, manage escrow funds, prepare documents, and oversee the transaction from contract to closing.However, North Carolina is Read More
Power of Attorney Misuse and Fraud
Many times family members and individuals execute Powers of Attorney as a part of their estate plan, and sometimes people execute them as individual documents. Disputes frequently arise over these documents when different people’s rights are potentially effected. Definition of Power of Attorney – Two Main TypesFirst, let’s define a Power of Attorney. A Power of Attorney is a legal document in which one Read More
DOJ Will No Longer Enforce Key Disability Rights Guidance
TakeawaysIn mid-July 2026, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) published a notice about long-standing federal guidance on disability rights. Many states and courts have relied on this guidance for more than a decade, but the DOJ now says it is not enforceable.The notice focuses on the DOJ’s 2011 Statement of the Department of Justice on Enforcement of the Integration Mandate of Title II of the Read More
More Disabled Veterans Eligible for Tax-Free ABLE Accounts
TakeawaysAchieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts offer tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified disability expenses such as housing and health care. As of January 1, 2026, more veterans can qualify for ABLE accounts because the disability onset age has increased from 26 to 46. Up to $100,000 in an ABLE account generally won’t count toward the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Read More
What Is a Guardian Ad Litem and What Do They Do?
TakeawaysA guardian ad litem (GAL) is a court-appointed, neutral advocate focused solely on a vulnerable person’s best interests during a specific legal case. Their role ends when the case is over. GALs investigate and report to the judge by meeting with the person, reviewing records, interviewing key people, and assessing safety and living conditions before making recommendations. A strong GAL looks for Read More
Estate Planning Does Not Have to be Overwhelming
One of the most common reasons people put off estate planning is simple: they assume it will be difficult.They imagine a long, uncomfortable process. They worry they will need to know exactly what documents they need before they ever meet with an attorney. They may feel embarrassed that they have waited too long or possibly that they don’t know where to begin because these things are complicated.The truth is Read More
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