Part of the family law is the termination of marriages. The termination of the relationship and ancillary matters include divorce, annulment, property settlements, alimony, and parental responsibility orders (in the United States, child custody and visitation, child support awards). Check out the North Carolina family lawyer for more information about this.

Divorce and annulments are the laws that cover the termination of marriages. Though divorces can be contrasted with an annulment, which is a declaration that a marriage is void, the effects of marriage may be recognized in such unions, such as spousal support or alimony, child custody, child support, and distribution of property. Visit the North Carolina family lawyer for details about this.

Alimony, maintenance or spousal support is an obligation established by law in many countries that is based on the premise that both spouses have an absolute obligation to support each other during the marriage (or civil union) unless they are legally separated.

When a divorce or dissolution of marriage (civil union) is granted, either party may ask for post-marital alimony. The amount and terms varying with the circumstances is not an absolute right, but may be granted. If one party is already receiving support at the time of the divorce, the previous order is not automatically continued (although this can be requested), as the arguments for support during and after the marriage can be different. Visit the North Carolina family lawyer for details about this.

Child custody and guardianship are legal terms which are sometimes used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child, such as the right of the parent to make decisions for the child, and the parent's duty to care for the child. Visit the North Carolina family lawyer for details about this.

Child support or child maintenance is the ongoing obligation for a periodic payment made directly or indirectly by a non-custodial parent to a custodial parent for the care and support of children of a relationship or marriage that has been terminated.

In family law, child support is often arranged as part of a divorce, marital separation, dissolution, annulment, determination of parentage, or dissolution of a civil union. Visit the North Carolina family lawyer for details about this.