separation process in divorce proceedings

Raleigh Divorce Lawyers

The Doyle Law Group, P.A. is a law firm of committed, experienced Raleigh divorce lawyers with over 20 years of experience in family law matters. Our thorough understanding of North Carolina divorce law allows us to deliver top-quality legal services to clients in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding communities.

doyle divorce and separation agreements

Partner with an Experienced Family Law Attorney in Raleigh

If you are facing a divorce or other family law issues, our divorce attorneys have the skills and experience you need to advocate on your behalf throughout the divorce process. Our specialized guidance and legal counsel ensures your rights are protected when facing legal separation, property division, custody and child support issues, and spousal support.

We understand how stressful a divorce can be on the whole family, which is why we represent clients throughout Wake County with compassionate, informative, and strategic approaches to the legal challenges of divorce cases. Our attorneys fight aggressively on behalf of our clients during this difficult time in their lives.

doyle divorce and separation agreements

North Carolina Law for Divorce Proceedings

Divorce in North Carolina is governed by specific state laws that outline the requirements and procedures for ending a marriage. Whether you're considering a divorce or are already in the process, understanding these legal guidelines is essential to ensure your rights are protected.

Step #1: The Separation Period

In North Carolina, there is a 12 month separation period in which the married couple must live at separate addresses. During this time, they are still legally married, so they can’t marry other people, and issues of estate law and marital property are still applicable.

This time can be challenging because there is no divorce settlement to refer to regarding property division, child custody, or other factors. Having our attorneys draw up a separation agreement to outline the terms until your divorce is settled can be beneficial.

Step #2: Choosing the Right Type of Divorce

Depending on certain factors can determine what kind of divorce is right for you. Our divorce lawyers will work with you to determine if a simple, or absolute divorce will work to dissolve the marriage with minimal cost or stress, or if mediation or litigation is the better path to helping you achieve your goals. With over 30 years of combined experience, we can take your unique case and create a strategy that allows us to protect your future.

Step #3: Scheduling a Consultation

When you first contact our divorce lawyers, we will set up an initial, no-obligation consultation. This can be done in person, via phone, or through a video call. In this meeting, we listen closely to your situation, including any major issues, history of your marriage and divorce, your assets, and goals. We will also explain the way alimony, support, child custody, and property distribution work in practical terms, and how we can go about pressing or defending these claims.

Once we understand your unique case and how the law applies, we can create a framework that combines your goals with legal precedent. Naturally, an initial consult will not answer every question or deal with every contingency, but we want to provide you with valuable information and clarity so you can move on to the next step.

Step #4: Preparation and Negotiation with Doyle Divorce Law Group

Once you become our client, we work diligently to provide outstanding service, help you set and achieve your goals, and make the best use of your resources. We know you trust your lawyer to use their time and money wisely and we work to limit the costs and fees that burden our clients. However, any case requiring litigation can be expensive and time consuming for divorcing couples. Costly trials can often be avoided by early preparation combined with skillful and aggressive negotiation techniques.

Preparation and negotiation can turn an unreasonable, demanding, or belligerent spouse or opposing party into a much more reasonable negotiating partner. It’s not always possible to reach an agreement through mediation and negotiation. If this is the case, we will continue to fight for you in court. We aim to achieve a favorable outcome with the final divorce decree bringing you both peace of mind and legal protection.

Comprehensive Divorce Attorney Services

Navigating the complexities of divorce requires an experienced legal representative who tailors services to your unique situation. Our team of divorce attorneys offers a full spectrum of divorce services designed to address every aspect of your case, ensuring that your rights are protected and that the process is as smooth as possible.

We aim for positive outcomes in the following practice areas:

Absolute divorce legally ends the marriage, allowing both parties to remarry. It requires specific grounds, such as separation for a certain period or marital misconduct.

An amicable divorce occurs when both parties agree on all terms, including property division, child custody, and support. This type of divorce is generally faster and less costly.

In a collaborative divorce, both parties work with their attorneys to negotiate and resolve disputes outside of court, focusing on mutual respect and open communication.

A contested divorce happens when the parties cannot agree on one or more key issues, such as asset division or custody arrangements, requiring court intervention to resolve.

A default divorce occurs when one party fails to respond to the divorce filing, allowing the court to grant the divorce and the petitioner’s requests by default.

Divorce mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party helps the couple reach an agreement on various issues, promoting a cooperative resolution without going to court.

Accurate valuing assets is crucial in divorce to ensure a fair distribution. This process involves determining the worth of properties, investments, and other valuables.

In a no-fault divorce, the marriage is dissolved without assigning blame to either party, typically citing irreconcilable differences or an irretrievable breakdown.

Military divorces involve special considerations such as the division of military pensions, benefits, and compliance with federal laws like the Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

A simple divorce is a streamlined process for couples with no complex issues, such as significant assets or minor children, allowing for a quicker resolution.

In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on all major issues, avoiding the need for a trial and often leading to a faster, more cost-effective process.

High net worth divorces involve complex financial considerations, including the division of substantial assets, investments, and business interests, requiring specialized legal expertise.

Equitable distribution involves dividing marital property fairly but not necessarily equally, considering factors like the length of the marriage and each spouse’s contributions.

In cases where one or both spouses own a business, valuing a business is necessary to determine its worth, which is essential for equitable distribution.

Retirement accounts are often significant marital assets. Proper division of these accounts requires adherence to specific legal procedures, such as Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), to avoid penalties and ensure fairness.

Our Raleigh, NC Attorneys Practice Family Law

Family law encompasses a broad range of legal matters involving family relationships, such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and spousal support. Our Raleigh-based attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation in all aspects of family law. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of divorce, dealing with child custody disputes, or seeking fair spousal support arrangements, we offer personalized solutions tailored to your unique circumstances.

child custody and support - raleigh divorce lawyers

Child Custody and Child Support Issues

Child custody and support are often the most sensitive and contested aspects of family law. Our attorneys work diligently to protect your parental rights while ensuring the best interests of your children. We handle all types of custody arrangements, including joint custody, sole custody, and visitation rights, and we strive to create support agreements that provide for your child's financial needs. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we aim to reach outcomes that foster stability and security for your children.

raleigh divorce lawyers - alimony and spousal support

Spousal Support Issues

Spousal support, or alimony, is another critical area of family law that requires careful consideration. Our attorneys assist clients in seeking fair spousal support arrangements, whether it's temporary support during the divorce process or long-term alimony following the dissolution of marriage. We take into account various factors, such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, and contributions to the household, to advocate for an equitable resolution that reflects your financial situation.

raleigh divorce lawyers - family legal issues

Other Family Legal Issues

In addition to divorce, child custody, and spousal support, our family law practice also addresses a variety of other legal issues that can arise within family relationships. This includes prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, adoption, guardianship, domestic violence protection, and more. Our attorneys are equipped to handle these matters with the utmost sensitivity and expertise, ensuring that your rights and the well-being of your family are always prioritized. We understand that every family is unique, and we are here to provide the legal support you need through every stage of your family’s life.

doyle divorce and separation agreements

What to Expect from Our Raleigh Divorce Lawyers

Whether you have chosen to divorce or you’ve been blindsided by your spouse, the path to divorce can be overwhelming and confusing. Having a divorce lawyer in Raleigh who can inform you of your rights and what you’re entitled to as well as fight on your behalf to help you achieve your goals can be the difference between a future that is insecure and unsettled and one that puts you on a more positive path.

doyle divorce and separation agreements
raleigh divorce lawyers

A Trustworthy Ally During Your Divorce

At The Doyle Law Group, P.A., we believe in fighting with a purpose. This means taking an aggressive position from the beginning, but always evaluating settlement offers fairly and honestly.

We do not believe it serves your best interests to create fights where none exist, only to bill you for our time in the process. We believe it is important to have a skilled attorney that excels in the courtroom. An attorney serves the role of adviser and counselor to help our clients make decisions about when to fight and when to realize you have already won.

Finally, we strive to be of assistance to you in every aspect of divorce and we work regularly with a team of fantastic counselors, accountants, realtors, appraisers, and other professionals who can provide assistance when called upon.

Areas We Serve in North Carolina

Our team works with clients around the Raleigh area, including the following cities:

Raleigh

Knightdale

Wendell

Zebulon

Cary

Morrisville

Apex

Garner

Johnston County

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Contact Our Raleigh Divorce Law Firm Today

No matter the complexity of your divorce—whether it’s a high-conflict situation or an amicable separation—we’re here to provide the legal support you need. Call the Doyle Law Group, P.A. at  (919) 301-8843 or fill out the form below, and one of our experienced Raleigh divorce attorneys will reach out to you promptly to discuss your case.

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