"Across three states, Jenny was hands-down the best divorce lawyer I worked with! Authentic, savvy, insightful, tough, empathetic and effective. Can ’t say enough good things about her."
Whether you’ve just begun to consider separation and divorce or you’ve already spoken with your spouse and agreed that it’s time to move on, you are likely wondering where the process begins. Gathering the documents and filing the paperwork you need can seem like an overwhelming task when emotions are already running high.
If you’re separating from a spouse in North Carolina, a divorce checklist can help you prepare for the process.
We help our clients navigate North Carolina’s divorce requirements to make the process as efficient and straightforward as possible. The state’s requirements are:
If you meet the three requirements above, you can file a divorce complaint and send it to your spouse. Your spouse can contest the divorce, but only on the grounds that at least one of three requirements has not been met. A contested divorce requires a hearing with testimony and evidence in front of a Judge.
Once the divorce papers are served, there’s a 30-day waiting period before a divorce hearing can be requested. In cases where a divorce isn’t contested, the entire divorce process, not including the separation period, can be finalized in 60-120 days under most circumstances. If you have additional claims besides just the divorce itself, those claims can take months, even years, to be resolved if they are contested.
Your lawyer may request multiple documents to help you work through your separation and divorce as quickly as possible. There are many documents you may need to have available, and these include:
You’ll want to gather documentation on all of your single and joint accounts. It’s crucial that you gather as many of these documents as you possibly can to ensure that all assets and income have been disclosed so that you and your lawyer have a solid overview of your estate and your cash flow.
North Carolina is a 50/50 state, which means that the marital property should be divided equitably and in a way that is fair to both spouses. Gathering the proper documents will help you evaluate your options for the division of assets, debts, and income. Hiding assets is never recommended and can lead to the courts looking at you unfavorably. If you believe your spouse is hiding assets, speak to a divorce lawyer immediately.
If you and your spouse own a business together, you’ll need to obtain additional documents. A few of the documents that you’ll need as a business owner are:
Since you own a business together, the court will want to have a clear picture of your income and expenses from the business. It’s important to note that if you own a business with someone other than your spouse, you will still need to gather the same documents.
Deciding to get a divorce is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life. Here’s a brief checklist to work through to make the rest of the process as fluid as possible:
If you and your spouse are on good terms still, you can begin discussing how you would like to divide assets. Working with a divorce lawyer is recommended, and if you choose to do mediation, the process is easier when there are no “surprises.”
When you go through a divorce, even if you still care about each other deeply, it can be a stressful and emotionally charged situation. Therefore, it’s often in your best interest to work with a lawyer, especially one who will consider mediation or other alternative dispute resolutions before going to Court.
Trusting someone to help you prepare for a divorce and walk you through all of the steps involved requires putting your trust in someone else. Working with the right Cary divorce lawyer will make your divorce easier for you.
The right lawyer will:
Mediating and helping you have an amicable divorce will save you money and time. Going to Court is typically not in your best interest unless it is the only reasonable option. It is in your best interest to find a lawyer who can differentiate between when Court is and isn’t the best option for you and your family.
If you want a divorce lawyer who believes in mediation and moving the process forward as quickly as possible, Triangle Smart Divorce can help. Call us today to speak to a Cary divorce lawyer.
"Across three states, Jenny was hands-down the best divorce lawyer I worked with! Authentic, savvy, insightful, tough, empathetic and effective. Can ’t say enough good things about her."
"The entire staff at Triangle Smart Divorce has been wonderful. My divorce has been extremely complicated and difficult, they have helped and been successful at every turn. They are more than competent and are also very compassionate individuals. They will and do walk you through each and every step to obtain the best results for you. An amazing team!"
"I would rate everything about my experience with Triangle Smart Divorce as 5 stars. The hardest step of any big decision is the first step. Jessica set the tone from the very first phone call. She was compassionate, calming and reassuring. The whole team has continued to work to maintain a supportive environment during the most difficult time of my life. I’m very grateful."
"Jenny Bradley and her team at Triangle Smart Divorce was the best decision I made. "
"Great firm! An outstanding group of professionals who are knowledgeable and care about their clients. I recommend Julianne and the firm to my clients and friends needing divorce and family law services."
"I felt heard, understood and listened to. Always there when I needed them! Had my best interest at heart and never let me down!"
"Outstanding firm. Try to work with their clients. Listens like a therapist. I am thoroughly pleased with the services I have been provided."
Our practice is entirely dedicated to helping couples move forward with confidence when dealing with divorce. You’re not alone.
Want to know how to prepare for divorce? Use our free resources to guide you. Our mission is to get you to where you want to be — without years of legal fees, court battles and emotional damage.
Yes. North Carolina law requires that a couple be separated for at least one year before filing for divorce. However, during separation, some debts and property acquired are treated differently than those that were acquired during the marriage.
We suggest making appointments with a counselor, financial planner, and divorce lawyer. If you decide to proceed with separation and divorce, then you should begin working through the divorce checklist in the section above straight away to reduce the stress of the divorce process.
Divorce is complex, and the longer you’re married, the more complicated the process may be. You’ll want to do a few things to move your divorce along as smoothly as possible:
We are here to help you succeed and protect what you value most.
