FAMILY LAW

 North Carolina law requires a one-year separation period before filing for a no-fault divorce. Either spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months. 

 Child custody decisions prioritize the child’s best interests, with joint or sole custody arrangements possible.

 In North Carolina, child support is determined using State Guidelines that are based on the incomes of both parents, custody arrangements, and the child’s needs. 

 North Carolina is an "Equitable Distribution" state, which means that marital assets and debts are divided fairly but not necessarily equally.  

One spouse may be ordered to pay the other, based on factors like the length of the marriage, income, earning capacity, standard of living, contributions to the marriage, and marital misconduct.  

Parents can challenge DSS actions by presenting evidence, showing compliance with court-ordered services, and demonstrating their ability to provide a safe, stable environment.