When I wrote about a workers’ comp case recently and posted it, I got a lot of encouraging responses. Well, here goes again. I write this with the permission of my client’s family. In late 2017 I was contacted by the father of a 2 ½-year-old girl who was hospitalized at Duke.  He was from…

When a petition alleging abuse or neglect of an underage child is filed in a North Carolina district court, the child involved has legal rights. To ensure those rights are protected as the court makes decisions about temporary care and permanent custody of the child, the judge is required to appoint a volunteer guardian ad litem…

Divorce is always a stressful, emotional situation. In a high-profile divorce of prominent individuals, unwanted outside attention can be intrusive, damage reputations and careers, and cause stress and psychological harm. A high-profile divorce often conjures up images of celebrities or entertainers. But high-profile divorces may involve high-powered corporate leaders and people in the public eye….

Many people have difficulty reaching the decision to get a divorce, even when it’s the right thing to do. It represents a huge loss. Some people consider divorce a personal failing, though in fact it’s a positive step in many situations. Anyone considering divorce is right to take the time necessary to make sure it…

Many companies in the Triangle offer shares of restricted stock to attract and retain employees. The restricted stock units, or RSUs, are redeemable after the employee has worked at the company a certain number of years or met certain performance goals. The value of RSUs can become an issue when considering the equitable division of…

North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state, but marital misconduct can still be a factor in your separation and divorce if either spouse brings a claim for post-separation support or alimony. If you are entering separation and divorce, and you expect that you or your spouse will request alimony, then you will want to evaluate the issue of marital…

Divorced or separated parents who are sharing child custody during the coronavirus pandemic must consider how stay-at-home directives affect custody schedules. Family lawyers around the country are hearing about conflicts, particularly between parents who have different ideas about social distancing and other steps to avoid the virus, leading to disputes about visitation. Few child custody…

Although I may not have had a name for it at the time, advocating on other people’s behalf came naturally to me and was something I practiced from an early age. I took great pleasure in supporting family, friends, and neighbors and acting as an advocate for them when they needed help. It was a…