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Postseparation Support in North Carolina

postseparation support Postseparation support is a ration of the 1995 statutory amendments that overhauled the alimony and temporary alimony law in North Carolina.  Postseparation support is temporary alimony.   It is designed as a stop-gap measure to help dependent spouses get support after separation and until final alimony is awarded or denied.

Fault usually plays little to no role in the postseparation support hearing.  Frequently the postseparation support award is based primarily on financial affidavits that are filled out by the parties prior to the hearing.    In Wake County, North Carolina, postseparation support hearings are time-limited by the court.

 

§ 50‑16.2A.  Postseparation support.

(a)        In an action brought pursuant to Chapter 50 of the General Statutes, either party may move for postseparation support. The verified pleading, verified motion, or affidavit of the moving party shall set forth the factual basis for the relief requested.

(b)        In ordering postseparation support, the court shall base its award on the financial needs of the parties, considering the parties’ accustomed standard of living, the present employment income and other recurring earnings of each party from any source, their income‑earning abilities, the separate and marital debt service obligations, those expenses reasonably necessary to support each of the parties, and each party’s respective legal obligations to support any other persons.

(c)        Except when subsection (d) of this section applies, a dependent spouse is entitled to an award of postseparation support if, based on consideration of the factors specified in subsection (b) of this section, the court finds that the resources of the dependent spouse are not adequate to meet his or her reasonable needs and the supporting spouse has the ability to pay.

(d)       At a hearing on postseparation support, the judge shall consider marital misconduct by the dependent spouse occurring prior to or on the date of separation in deciding whether to award postseparation support and in deciding the amount of postseparation support. When the judge considers these acts by the dependent spouse, the judge shall also consider any marital misconduct by the supporting spouse in deciding whether to award postseparation support and in deciding the amount of postseparation support.

(e)        Nothing herein shall prevent a court from considering incidents of post date‑of‑separation marital misconduct as corroborating evidence supporting other evidence that marital misconduct occurred during the marriage and prior to date of separation. (1995, c. 319, s. 2.)

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Raleigh divorce lawyer Scott Allen handles postseparation support, alimony, and all other types of family law matters.  

If you have questions or need assistance call him at (919) 863-4183 or email at sallen@allenspence.com.  

Filed Under: Alimony, Family Law Library Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Temporary Custody in North Carolina

Temporary child custody is an important component of the trial court’s powers to protect children in North Carolina.

G.S. § 50-13.5(c)(2) and (d)(2) give the district court jurisdiction to enter temporary custody and support orders for minor children.  G.S. § 50-13.5(d)(2) provides that temporary orders may be entered “[i]f the circumstances of the case render it appropriate.”  That statute gives the judge a great deal of discretion about when and hot to have a temporary child custody hearing and what the order will say.

In Wake County, North Carolina, if a complaint or motion for child custody is filed and there is a request for temporary child custody, a hearing for temporary child custody is automatically scheduled.  That temporary child custody hearing is scheduled for two hours at the courthouse in Raleigh and each party is given one hour to call witnesses, present evidence, and make their case for the temporary award.

A temporary child custody order establishes each party’s right to custody pending the resolution of a claim for permanent custody and establish order for a family that is in a chaotic situation.  The court will often establish both a legal custody arrangement and a physical custody arrangement.   The temporary child custody order is, in many ways, only a stop-gap measure by the court to impose a schedule when the parents cannot agree,

In certain custodial situations a temporary child custody order may be entered ex parte under appropriate circumstances such as when there is a risk or harm or one parent is fleeing the state with a child.  The statute is clear that a temporary order that changes custody or changes the living arrangements of a child cannot be entered ex parte unless the child risks bodily injury, sexual abuse, or removal from the state for purpose of evading the jurisdiction of the court.  You can find more information about emergency custody here.

Unlike the rules about preliminary injunctions, a temporary custody order entered ex parte does not expire automatically after ten days.

The statutes and case-law do not preclude a temporary custody hearing after a motion to modify a permanent custody order has been filed. Also, there appears to be no statutory prohibition against asking the court to modify a temporary order.

Finally, just as in a full hearing on custody, the court may consider a request or make its own motion for the appointment of a parent coordinator.

If you are facing the prospect of a temporary child custody hearing then you should obtain the assistance of an attorney.   The temporary child custody hearing is very important because it establishes legal rights and obligations and is sometime a framework for what the permanent child custody order will look like.

 

 

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Raleigh divorce lawyer Scott Allen handles modification of custody, child custody, and temporary custody hearings and has over eighteen years of experience.  

If you have questions or need assistance call him at (919) 863-4183 or email at sallen@allenspence.com.  

Filed Under: Child Custody Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,