Hosting a Party? Don’t Forget “Social Host Liability” Law

If you’re planning on hosting a party this holiday season and serving alcohol to your guests, you need to be aware of North Carolina’s “social host liability” law and how it may affect your responsibility for accidents or injuries caused by guests attending your party.  Efforts by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other organizations created […]

Welcome Attorney Edward Garrett

We are so pleased to welcome attorney Edward S. Garrett to Sodoma Law.  Mr. Garrett joins us as a Family Law Attorney with a very interesting and extensive background.  After practicing for several years in Raleigh, as Law Clerk for the Court of Appeals, he has joined the Family Law Practice Group and is licensed […]

What is Common Law Marriage?

Common Law Marriage is not recognized in North Carolina; however, “if the acts alleged to have created it took place in a state in which such a marriage is valid” North Carolina will recognize the marriage. State v. Alford, 298 N.C. 465, 473, 259 S.E.2d 242, 247 (1979). Our neighbor, South Carolina, recognizes common law […]

Is a HandWritten Agreement for Alimony Valid?

The 2009 Court of Appeals case Sluder v. Sluder addresses this very issue. Husband signed a statement that was handwritten promising to pay Wife $1,000.00 per month in spousal support.  The handwritten statement was as follows: “I Gary M. Sluder pay to my wife Christina, the sum of One Thousand Dollars a month in spousal support.” The trial court found […]

Changes to Child Custody Orders

Child Custody Orders may be modified based on a substantial change in circumstances which warrant a modification of the existing child custody order.  The substantial change of circumstances must affect the welfare of the minor child.  To many, this standard may seem vague and confusing.  A recent Court of Appeals case Patten v. Werner discusses the issue of modifying custody. […]

Unwed Father’s Consent for Adoption

In a recent Court of Appeals case, In re Adoption of K.A.R., the Court discusses the issue of when an unwed biological father’s consent is needed for adoption of a child. In this case, the Mother and Father were very young; 18 and 20, respectively.  Upon confirmation that Mother was in fact pregnant, both Father […]