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Smith Debnam’s family law section has an excellent reputation for effective advocacy and a responsible, caring approach to meeting the needs of our clients. With Board Certified Family Law Specialists leading our team, we will carefully listen to you in order to understand your unique situation and craft the most effective strategies and solutions to serve your family’s best interests. Our family law team is focused on helping you move forward – legally, financially and emotionally.
Our divorce attorneys are uniquely qualified to handle all the issues surrounding your case including:
“Emily Jeske helped me to settle my divorce case. She was responsive, prompt and courteous. She helped me to navigate a complicated process and advocated for what was in my children’s best interests. I found the front desk staff helpful and I could not have asked for a better experience with the divorce itself, all thanks to Emily (I ended up working with Emily after two other lawyers couldn’t help me) “ – Erin Bakal
We are ready to hear your story and help you with your family law case. To schedule a consultation with a Raleigh family attorney at our firm, call 919-250-2000.
All marriages have their challenges, but occasionally mistrust can become such an issue that one spouse may begin snooping or spying on the… Read More
The economic environment is typically a consideration when divorcing spouses are negotiating or litigating the issue of alimony. Economic factors such as the… Read More
Friday, March 13, 2020, will be a day I’ll never forget. It was the day that North Carolina’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri… Read More
In North Carolina and many other states, “stay-at-home” or “shelter-in-place” orders are in effect, and by now, we all know about “social distancing.”… Read More
In the wake of Kobe Bryant and his daughter’s death this past week, I found myself thinking about my Dad and the special… Read More
When I meet with clients in anticipation of trial, they sometimes question the need for witnesses to support their testimony. They are confident… Read More
Spousal abandonment occurs when one spouse ends the marital cohabitation without justification or provocation, without the consent of the other party, and without… Read More
Family law clients are often told to “go get a restraining order” when someone has stalked them or threatened them with acts of… Read More
Clients and attorneys generally want to settle cases out of court. Clients readily recognize the financial and emotional benefits of avoiding court. Some… Read More
This article is PART TWO of a two-part series shedding light on some of the realities that can prolong the divorce process. Read More
I often warn clients at the outset of their divorce case that the process will likely take longer and be more expensive… Read More
A common concern among spouses facing separation and divorce is the prospect of dividing their retirement accounts because of the misconception that… Read More
The current federal tax laws enacted in late 2017 have been the subject of many news stories and articles. Read More
Although many in the Raleigh area were disappointed to hear that Amazon’s much-anticipated HQ2 wouldn’t be landing in Wake County, Jeff Bezos… Read More
When it comes to modifications to child custody orders in North Carolina, parents often wonder if North Carolina law permits a child… Read More
Mediation can be an effective alternative to litigating your marital and family issues while avoiding the frustration and complexity of court proceedings. Mediation… Read More
The term “co-parenting” describes the process where two parents work together to raise a child even though they are divorced or separated and… Read More
Self-care is a hot topic these days. If you are a Pinterest fan, a quick search of “self-care” brings up… Read More
Following is the second installment in a four-part blog series examining the 2017 tax overhaul and the impact… Read More
One Big, Happy Family? It’s Not Easy, But It’s Worth It. I’m a longtime listener of The Bob and Sheri Show. When… Read More
Paul Harvey was an American broadcaster and commentator. He died in 2009 at the age of 90. I remember listening… Read More
Everyone is buzzing about the new tax overhaul recently passed by Congress. How does it impact you and your family law choices… Read More
Several Saturdays ago, I had the pleasure of spending a morning with my friend and colleague, Jaime Davis, to appear… Read More
It is not often in a complex equitable distribution case that we see a trial Judge’s fair and well-reasoned decision reversed on appeal. Read More
Divorce and remarriage are common in the United States, and most legal professionals place these issues squarely within the family law realm. However,… Read More
Our dogs and cats are part of our family, right? They do not just represent property to be divided, right? Actually, in North… Read More
In many equitable distribution cases, where the value of real estate is an issue, the parties at least in negotiations debate the relative… Read More
Late 2016, the Minnesota Supreme Court decided the case of Curtis v. Curtis (887 N.W.2d 249) and in so doing provided a lesson… Read More
In many family law settlements, whether they are obtained voluntarily through an agreement or the result of litigation ending in a court order,… Read More
In some child custody cases, a child custody expert (CCE) makes a recommendation to the court on what they believe the court’s… Read More
I grew up during the ’50s and ’60s. During that time, many believed a child should be seen, not heard in the presence… Read More
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 1F: Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act North Carolina courts allow out-of-state subpoenas to be issued… Read More
What do Katy Perry, John Legend, Miley Cyrus, Faith Hill, Elton John, and Bruno Mars have in common? They all use a different… Read More
“If there is a drop in cabin pressure, panels above your seat will open, revealing oxygen masks. If this happens, pull… Read More
April 25 is “Parental Alienation Awareness Day.” Perhaps, you haven’t heard of Parental Alienation. Unfortunately, many children and parents going through a divorce… Read More
There are few things in life that a family law attorney has not heard or seen between clients and their significant others when… Read More
Following the United States Supreme Court’s decision to recognize the right of same-sex couples to marry, it was only a matter of time… Read More
Is there a difference between a divorce attorney and a family law attorney? The short answer is no. The term “divorce” contemplates the… Read More
Often in the world of courts and litigation, participants have to meet certain deadlines to file documents, make payments, and produce certain items. Read More
As anyone involved in family law litigation knows, it can take two to three years or more following the date of separation before outstanding… Read More
No one enters into a marriage assuming, thinking or dreaming that a divorce will occur. However, things change, love wanes, and divorces happen. Read More
Real Estate in Wake County continues to be a hot commodity. Currently, the Triangle is experiencing a lack of supply in single-family homes. Read More
I came across this article online just the other day, regarding the characteristics of healthy and happy relationships. The information in the article rings… Read More
When the US Supreme Court ruled in June of 2015 that a state ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional and in violation of… Read More
More common now than ever before, lovebirds will buy a house together before saying “I do” in the hopes they will grow old… Read More
Did you get engaged to the love of your life and expect to live happily ever after, just to be dumped before a… Read More
Girls believe in fairytales from the moment they watch their very first Disney movie. These dreams often include being given a sparkling diamond… Read More
North Carolina recognizes the Doctrine of Necessaries. The doctrine originated from the legal duty of the husband to provide for the expenses of… Read More
Stay-at-home spouses face unique and sometimes terrifying challenges when faced with divorce. Emotional struggles are often paired with feelings of despair over their… Read More
If you are planning a second marriage, there are precautions you may want to consider to protect your assets or ensure the interests… Read More
If you and your spouse are considering divorce, it is important to understand North Carolina’s separation requirements. North Carolina law requires that a… Read More
Should I Sign a Prenuptial Agreement? Prenuptial agreements are not only for celebrities and billionaires. They have become increasingly more common based on… Read More
For couples no longer living together as husband and wife, establishing a date of separation and becoming legally separated in North Carolina does… Read More
It is no secret that divorce is tough on children, but does that mean that every child should attend therapy after their parents’… Read More
What is nesting? Nesting is a child-centered custody arrangement that has recently become more common among divorced parents. Rather than the child staying… Read More
If a couple can make it through twenty years of marriage they can survive anything life throws at them, right? Not according to… Read More
Managing Expectations Towards a Successful Outcome Bad behavior during a marriage does not waive a party’s property division rights. The bad behavior of… Read More
North Carolina allows couples to resolve property division, alimony, child custody, child support and other divorce-related issues as they see fit so long… Read More
By Leslie Marion Many people are familiar with agreements referred to under North Carolina law as “prenuptial” or “pre-marital” agreements and are equally… Read More
Are you and your spouse out of sync? Do you just have this sixth sense that things are not right in your marriage?… Read More
Last year, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chis Martin announced that they would “consciously uncouple” after more than ten years of marriage and two children. Read More
For many divorcing couples, the marital residence is often their largest asset or perhaps largest debt. Therefore, when… Read More
Upon reaching the unfortunate decision to separate, some spouses begin discussing the terms of a mutual agreement regarding their assets, debts,… Read More
Be Kind, I Love You and Thinking of You are just a few of the terms of… Read More
Raleigh, N.C. (FEBRUARY 13, 2015) – Lynn Wilson McNally, a partner and board-certified family law specialist with… Read More
It is not uncommon for custody issues to arise between parties other than the separated or divorced parents of a child. Irrespective of… Read More
No matter what your specific family-related legal issue, whether it be child custody, property distribution, alimony, child support or otherwise, having the right… Read More
By Leslie Marion In No Child Left Behind – Part One, I discussed how schools interpret child custody orders and… Read More
Divorce is expensive. Between child custody and support, property division and spousal support, there are many issues that must be addressed, and thoughtful… Read More
Divorcing couples should not overlook their joint debt liability when contemplating how best to divide their marital assets or debts. Separated spouses can… Read More
People contemplating marriage choose to enter into premarital agreements for a variety of reasons. Some have been through a messy divorce and want… Read More
By Leslie Marion I come from a long line of educators. My mother, grandmother, and several of my aunts… Read More
Divorce brings out the worst in people. No one knows you better than your spouse and no one knows what buttons to push… Read More
Many divorcing couples have retirement plans that they will want to divvy up as part of the equitable distribution process. Often times, a… Read More
This is a question I am frequently asked; and although the technically correct answer is “yes,” my advice is usually “NO!” Such advice,… Read More
Long known as the standard for the treatment of prisoners of war, The Hague Convention is also the international treaty that serves as… Read More
Family law attorneys are seeing an increasing number of grandparents seeking visitation and custody with their grandchildren through the court system. Grandparents’ concerns… Read More
When a marriage ends, the emotional and economic impact on both spouses is immeasurable. According to a study conducted twenty years ago that… Read More
Reaching an agreement through mediation in a family law matter can be hard work, but also yield a great sense of relief when… Read More
In a previous post, I noted that the legal obligation to support a child in North Carolina generally ends when either the child… Read More
It’s no secret that I’m an animal lover. Anyone who knows me can tell you that my dog, Taco, is like a member… Read More
With the ever increasing amount of technology available to us in our daily lives, many electronic devices such as computers or cell phones… Read More
Do I need a private investigator? I get that question all the time. When clients come in to consult with me at the… Read More
When couples with minor children separate, they frequently have significant discussions and negotiations about the moral obligation that both parties have to provide… Read More
This is a question I am frequently asked; and although the technically correct answer is “yes,” my advice is usually “NO!” Such advice, however, bears… Read More
Separation and divorce is expensive; and even in a good economic climate, people are always looking for ways to save money when going… Read More
Should I or shouldn’t I? Get a prenuptial agreement, that is. The idea of a prenuptial agreement can be an uncomfortable topic to… Read More
Yes, you can go to the drug store and buy a pair of scissors for $5, but that doesn’t mean you should give… Read More
I would venture to say that at any hour of the day people are making the decision to divorce or separate. Some of… Read More
The new year is in full swing, and you’re probably starting to receive your W2’s and other forms you might need to file… Read More
It’s the new year; and for many people, including myself, it’s time to make those resolutions in an attempt to make life easier,… Read More
August 28, 2010 – Sylvia Adcock, Staff Writer for North Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly interviewed John Narron, who offered his professional legal opinion… Read More
Picture this: You have been in business for 12 years. You are well past the start-up stage and you are making good money. Read More
