Children are often the main concern, and source of disagreement, for most divorcing couples.  However, most people do not realize that with the right goals in mind, parties can divorce in a way that will allow their children to transition in an emotionally healthy manner.

When couples decide to divorce, the couple may choose to focus on co-parenting.  Co-parenting is a term that is used when a divorcing couple works with each other, instead of against each other, to maintain consistency in the parenting of their children.  The parents place their focus on working amicably together to raise healthy and happy children.

        Consistency and communication between the two households are essential to co-parenting.  This does not mean that both households need to be identical; however, similar schedules and discipline help the children deal with the changes their family is going through.  In addition, both parents should stay actively involved in children’s school and extracurricular activities.

It is best to lay out the expectation of co-parenting at the beginning of your divorce proceedings. By doing so, you make it clear to your attorney and your spouse what your main goal will be. This also allows your attorney to guide you through the process with the ultimate goal of a amicable divorce in mind.

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE WAS PREPARED BY SODOMA LAW, P.C. AND IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT, IN ANY WAY, CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE.

Child Custody and Child Support Questions?  Save the Date! Attorney Misty Hardison will lead her second free seminar offered by Sodoma Law, P.C. to help educate you, or someone you know, about issues related to child custody and child support.  For more information, contact us at 704.442.0000 or email info@sodomalaw.com.   Space is limited so mark your calendars and join us on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. Look forward to seeing you soon.

     North Carolina uses specific child support guidelines to determine how much money the payor parent owes each month. These guidelines take into account not only the need for adequate housing for the child, but also essential items for the child’s well-being such as clothing, food, household expenses, utilities, transportation and school-related expenses.  The goal of the child support guidelines is to provide consistency and financial stability in a child’s life, which includes these direct and indirect expenses.

     North Carolina’s child support guidelines are based on an Income Shares Model which considers the monthly gross incomes of both parents.  Gross income is a parent’s total income every month, prior to the withholding of taxes.  Gross Income may not just be salary or payroll wages a parent receives from his or her respective employment.  Income may be derived from any source to include income a parent may receive from stock dividends, disability payments, or any other financial resource.

     Unlike the more traditional models, the Income Shares Model takes into account the income of BOTH parents, not just the payor parent. This model developed from the theory that financially supporting the child of a marriage is the responsibility of both parents.  Therefore, the child should receive the same proportion of financial support from each parent’s income that the child would have received if the parents lived together.  For example, if both parents work and make the same amount of money monthly, they should each respectively contribute 50 percent to the support of their child.

In recognition of her dedication and commitment to Business Leaders of Charlotte, Deb Dilman received the Newcomer of the Year Award on Friday, June 18, 2010.    Through this program, Ms. Dilman led sponsorship efforts to raise more than $20,000 for non-profit organizations to include McCreesh Place in Charlotte.  We congratulate Ms. Dilman for her outstanding leadership and devotion to our community and to others.  

Attorney Misty Hardison will begin the first of a series of free seminars offered by Sodoma Law, P.C. to help educate you, or someone you know, about issues related to separation and divorce.  For more information, contact us at 704.442.0000 or email info@sodomalaw.com.   Space is limited so mark your calendars and join us on June 2, 2010. Look forward to seeing you soon.

 Cohabitation is on the rise in America. The 2000 Census found that there was a 72% increase in the number of cohabitating couples in this country during the decade between the 1990 and 2000 census. The 2000 census also reported that 144,000 unmarried couples lived together in North Carolina. These numbers are expected to increase again in the upcoming 2010 census.

            Until 2006, North Carolina was one of several states with laws that criminalized the cohabitation of unmarried adults. However, North Carolina’s law was ruled unconstitutional by a State Superior Court Judge on the basis that the state’s law violated the United State’s Supreme Courts ruling in Lawrence v. Texas. 539 U.S. 558 (2003).  In Lawrence, the Supreme Court found that consensual adult sexual acts, in the privacy of one’s own home, received protection under the due process clause of the 14^th Amendment.

            There are many reasons a couple may chose to cohabitate rather then marry; however, cohabitating couples should be aware that their rights differ greatly from people in a legally recognized marriage. The difference in the amount of protection the law provides is staggering. Unmarried couples do not share the same rights as married couples in making health care decisions for each other, inheriting property after death, and dividing property when a relationship ends.

            Cohabitating couples wishing to establish some rights may do so through the use of a cohabitation agreement, also known as a domestic partnership agreement. These agreements are essentially a written contract between the couple which may outline a multitude of things; including what property each partner brings into the relation, the division of that property in the event the relationship ends, the duties of each partner in the relationship, and what will happen to the property of the relationship at the death of one partner. It is best to meet with your attorney to discuss what type of agreement would best suit you and your partner’s needs.  

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE WAS PREPARED BY SODOMA LAW, P.C. AND IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT, IN ANY WAY, CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE.

Attorney Deb Dilman participated in 4ALL Statewide Service Day on March 5, 2010.  The phones at WBTV in Charlotte were expected to ring constantly as citizens in all 100 counties were encouraged to call in to volunteer attorneys providing free legal information via telephone.  The statewide service project coinicides with the North Carolina Bar Association's 4ALL Campaign to provide civil legal aid to the poor. Thank you to Deb Dilman for her participation and for offering her time and talent to those in need.  

Nicole Sodoma was honored today by Business Leader Magazine as one of Charlotte's top fifty entrepeneurs for 2010.  Ms. Sodoma accepted the nomination graciously explaining she was not an entrepeneur, instead a family law attorney who started a family business for the families she serves.  She explained that she loves her practice and was just fortunate enough to be surrounded by a team of people who feel the same way.  Congratulations to Ms. Sodoma for her award.

Please join us in welcoming our newest attorney at Sodoma Law, P.C.  Misty W. Hardison joined Sodoma Law, P.C. to continue her family law practice.  Ms. Hardison has already begun taking new cases.  In addition, after only a week in our practice, she conducted a seminar at the Women's Commission on issues related to separation and divorce.   Ms. Hardison's passion for family law makes her a natural fit for our practice.  Please join us in welcoming her.