Top 5 Tips for Custody

Charlotte Family Law Attorney Caroline Wingate Strauss joins Law Talk for a year end (December 2021) review of family law and custody issues in Charlotte Family Court. Surviving the Holidays can be a challenge.

There are a lot of custody exchanges take place during the holiday season that may differ from the ordinary custody and visitation that may in place during the year.

What are the Best Interests of the Child?

In any custody and visitation analysis, the child's well-being is the Polar Star consideration by Courts (judges) in North Carolina. The "guiding light" involves focusing on the Best Interests of the children.

Helpful Tips for Child Custody:

1. Try to Keep it Out of Court
2. Shared Custody is Preferred
3. Keep Kids Out of It - Don't Use Children as Intermediaries, Weapons, or Confidants
4. Engage Professionals if Needed - Attorneys, Mental Health Counselors, Psychologists, Family Therapists, Physicians, Clinicians, Experts
5. Get an Order or Parenting Agreement
6. BONUS: Consult with an Attorney who is an experienced parent

Is a Lawyer Required for Divorce?

Ordinarily, a lawyer is not “required." Judges rarely demand attorneys be retained or get involved.

At the same time, family law issues can get pretty complicated. While not required, a lawyer may be very helpful in explaining the processes and how things work in Family Court.

Is a Lawyer Required to Get Divorced?

Does Collaborative Law make sense?

Collaborative law allows spouses to resolve family law disputes outside of court. Rather than going through trials and sometimes emotional proceedings, the parties work through the collaborative process to solutions to disputes.

In this episode of Law Talk, Tonya Graser Smith joins Bill Powers in a discussion regarding the differences between Criminal and Civil Contempt, possible penalties and sanctions for each, and the real-world application of the NC family laws to disputes.

Failure to comply with a Court Order in North Carolina ordinarily has consequences.

The nature of the Order and the type of alleged violation dictate the appropriate sanctions, if any.

Charlotte Divorce Lawyers regularly litigate issues involving:

• Criminal Contempt
• Civil Contempt of Court
• Motions and Orders to Show Cause

Failure to comply with a Court's Order regarding child custody, visitation, child support, PSS - post separation support, and alimony are common themes of disputes that may result in a Motion and Order to Show Cause.

The "cause" in that instance would be to show why one party "should not be held in contempt of court."

There are important differences regarding a Motion for Criminal Contempt and Civil Contempt Motions in North Carolina.

If you have a suggestion for a topic of discussion or would enjoy hearing a certain guest, please email us at:

[email protected]

We strongly recommend listeners consult with an experienced family law attorney in Charlotte, NC about the specifics of your legal inquiry and/or particular matter.

The information contained on Law Talk with Bill Powers is not legal advice and therefore should not be relied upon as such.

Insurance Defense Lawyer John Nunnally joins Law Talk with Bill Powers, discussing:

• The Practice of an Insurance Defense Lawyer
• Professionalism
• Trial Strategies
• Professional Development

DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION OF SARS-CoV-2 AND THE POSSIBLE CORONAVIRUS, GUESTS OF LAW TALK WITH BILL POWERS ARE PRESENTLY RECORDED REMOTELY RATHER THAN IN-PERSON IN OUR STUDIO.

PODCAST STUDIOS ARE CLOSE, SOUNDPROOF SPACES NOT CONDUCIVE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING. FACE MASKS DON'T DO MUCH FOR MICROPHONE / SOUND QUALITY.

Therefore, for this podcast both Mr. Powers and Mr. Nunnally have been recorded remotely, at times affecting the richness of voices and/or resulting in occasional internet latency issues.

We apologize in advance, extending our apology for any issues you may encounter.

Thanks once again to our friend Rob Ingalls at Lawpods.

Special thanks to Rob Ingalls at Future Self Podcast.

A transcript of Law Talk with Bill Powers is available of this conversation with John Nunnally.

If you'd like to hear from a certain guest or have a suggested topic for discussion please email us at:

[email protected]

The Honorable Lucy Noble Inman of the North Carolina Court of Appeals joins Law Talk with Bill Powers, discussing:

• Standards of Review
• Findings of Fact
• Trial Techniques
• Preserving the Record on Appeal

DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, GUEST INTERVIEWS ON LAW TALK WITH BILL POWERS ARE DONE REMOTELY AND NOT "IN STUDIO."

As such, depending on the internet connectivity, there are occasional latency glitches and background noises.

Please accept our sincere apology for any issues.

Special thanks to Rob Ingalls at Future Self Podcast.

Rob incredibly friendly, professional, and easy to work with.

We highly recommend Rob and his podcasting services.

If you have topics of interest or suggested guest, please email us at: [email protected]

A transcript of this episode will be available at: CarolinaAttorneys.com

Charlotte Lawyer and Master Coach Chris Connelly joins Law Talk with Bill Powers to discuss reviewing your law practice, life, and profession during the Coronavirus Outbreak. 

Now may be the time to take a step back and consider your practice. Is your career fulfilling? Bill Powers

Topics for discussion include:

• Steps to taking a Professional Sabbatical
• Work-Life Balance for Lawyers
• Law Firm Development
• Career Transition

Schedule a meeting with Connelly Coaching

Have suggestions for topics or would you like to be a guest, contact Charlotte Lawyer Bill Powers.

Legendary Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Tom Bush joins Law Talk with Bill Powers to discuss the practice of law, life as a family law attorney, and the ups-and-downs of a busy domestic law practice.

Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney John Fanney joins Law Talk with Bill Powers to discuss criminal charges and the courts during the Coronavirus Outbreak. 

Noted Greensboro Workers' Compensation Attorney Jay Gervasi joins Law Talk with Bill Powers to discuss the practice of law 

• What constitutes domestic violence?
• What is the difference between 50B and 50C restraining orders?
• What happens if I have criminal charges and a civil protective order?
• How a past or present relationship between the victim and the accused can impact a case.
• Can a domestic violence charge affect my divorce case?
• Does a domestic violence charge affect a claim for alimony?

This episode is the first in a series of conversations directed towards lawyers, legal professionals, and law students. In this series, North Carolina Attorney Bill Powers digs into personal issues, patterns, personalities, unspoken truths, realities, and the lifestyle of being a lawyer.

In this episode, Bill Powers sits down with Mecklenburg County District Court Judge Matt Osman to discuss his experience as a lawyer, his time as a Navy JAG officer, his path to becoming a judge, and the unique challenges he's faced since taking the bench.

Is there a topic you would like to hear discussed on Law Talk? You can send us a message HERE.

Have a legal issue you need to discuss with a lawyer? Call 704-342-HELP or send a message for your free and totally confidential consultation.

ATTORNEY PROFILE

The 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine includes Bill Powers on the:

• “TOP 100" North Carolina Super Lawyers List
• "TOP 25" in Charlotte Super Lawyers List
• 11 YEARS Selected to Super Lawyers 

Law Talk with Bill Powers is an educational resource only. The information presented on this podcast does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Every situation is unique; therefore, you should always consult with a licensed attorney before making any legal decisions.

For more information on criterion for inclusion and membership information to North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine, go to SuperLawyers.com