On April 1, 2026, the North Carolina Court of Appeals released new opinions addressing jurisdiction under the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), as well as recurring issues in child support and alimony.
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The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued two family law decisions on March 18, 2026—one published and one unpublished—addressing equitable distribution and alimony.
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This legal guide from Siemens Family Law Group explains how North Carolina law applies to child custody and support, spousal support and alimony, and equitable distribution of marital assets during a high-income divorce.
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The North Carolina Court of Appeals clarifies that non‑economic marital misconduct cannot justify an unequal equitable distribution in Wheeler v. Wheeler, a new published decision affecting divorce cases across North Carolina.
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Judges evaluate marital standard of living to determine whether the alimony or child support a party is seeking is reasonable and necessary. The expenses incurred by a dependent spouse seeking support should correlate with expenses incurred during the marriage for similar purposes.
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Tax law changes went into effect on January 1 which will impact how separating spouses negotiate agreements in the new year. If you are separating from your spouse in 2019, it is important to talk with an experienced family law attorney and a tax expert about how the new law will affect you.
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When preparing a financial affidavit, the best policy is to be honest and realistic. We recommend that you review and verify all financial documents that pertain to your current income and expenses, as well as drawing parallels to the marital standard of living.
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In all legal actions that include claims for child support, post-separation support, and/or alimony, the local family court rules for Buncombe County require each party to complete and file with the court a “financial affidavit” (local Form 4).
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How does a judge determine the amount and duration of an alimony award? One of the goals of alimony is to ensure that a dependent spouse has adequate resources to meet his or her needs in accordance with the standard of living established by the parties during their marriage.
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When spouses separate, it is sometimes necessary for one spouse to provide financial support to the other spouse. North Carolina recognizes two forms of spousal support: one is post-separation support, and the other is alimony.
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Jim Siemens traveled last week to the mountain town of Sparta, North Carolina to present an oral argument before the Court of Appeals. The argument was part of a special session celebrating the 50th anniversary of the NC Court of Appeals, holding a session of court in a hometown or county with a special connection for each judge.
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Jim Siemens and Brenda Coppede recently presented at the North Carolina Bar Association’s Family Law Section Annual Meeting in Charleston.
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At some point in your professional career, you need to step forward and offer to give back to your colleagues and your profession. Lots of good lawyers care about the quality of their work, their practice areas, and the law and policy that affect their clients.
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