Consider Key Issues Before Making Divorce Your New Year's Resolution, Raleigh Family Lawyer Says
Before going through with a divorce filing, a person must consider important emotional, financial and legal issues, says Charles R. Ullman, a Raleigh divorce lawyer with the family law firm of Charles R. Ullman & Associates.
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) January 11, 2011
For a variety of reasons, divorce filings tend to rise in the month of January, according to Raleigh family lawyer Charles R. Ullman.
“If a divorcing couple has children, they may want to get through the holidays before going ahead with a divorce or separation, or they may wait until January for practical reasons, such as for tax purposes,” Ullman says. “In some cases, the start of a new year simply is a time for thinking about where your life is headed.”
“Divorce is not a spur-of-the-moment decision,” adds Ullman, the founder of Charles R. Ullman & Associates, a Raleigh law firm that concentrates on family and domestic law matters. “Divorce is a decision that often involves marriage or spiritual counseling, and it’s a decision that requires consideration of a wide range of emotional, financial and legal issues.”
If a person has decided to go through with a divorce, issues involving child custody, child support, alimony and property distribution must be considered before starting the divorce process, he says.
For instance, under North Carolina law, an alimony (or spousal support) claim must be asserted before a divorce judgment, or else the individual will lose the right to do so. In most cases, a claim of equitable (or fair) distribution of property must also be filed before the divorce judgment.
“Spousal support and asset division are matters that involve extensive documentation,” Ullman says. “If you have decided to pursue a divorce, you should begin the process of collecting these documents.”
Documents that pertain to alimony may include paycheck stubs, tax returns, employment records, proof of monthly living expenses, medical expenses and educational costs, Ullman says.
Real property deeds, mortgage statements, purchase contracts, taxes, assessments, contracts, titles, registrations, bank statements, stock certificates, IRA or mutual account statements, life insurance plans, pension or retirement account plans, personal property receipts and any information pertaining to a business may be needed for property distribution purposes, he says.
The same proof of income, assets and debts may be used for child custody and child support issues as well, Ullman says. Information about a child’s educational and medical needs also may be needed.
“Divorce is a difficult, complex process,” Ullman says. “Once the decision is made, a person has to focus on coming up with a plan for their future and protecting their rights and interests. It’s important to seek the help of an experienced family lawyer who concentrates on divorces and who can help you through the many legal issues that could arise.”
About Charles R. Ullman & Associates
The law firm of Charles R. Ullman & Associates, located on 109 S. Bloodworth St. in Raleigh, N. C., concentrates on family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, alimony, post-separation support and equitable distribution. Ullman is also a trained collaborative law attorney. For more information, contact the firm by calling (919) 829-1006 or use the online contact form.
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