Posts by Steven B. Ockerman

This summer, lawmakers drafted a proposal for a new bill in an effort to help expecting mothers. They named it the Unborn Child Support Act, and it would essentially give women the right to collect child support while they are pregnant, starting from the month of conception. Each state manages the child support system for…

When parents separate, the subject of child custody is often fraught with confusion, fear, and disagreements. Where will my child live? Will I be able to see my child? Who will make all the important decisions? How will my child adapt? Will my child be OK? North Carolina judges are required to determine custody based…

Child custody and child support cases are often quite complicated. Modifying an established court order for child support or custody will require various documents and evidence. A family law attorney will be able to help you navigate this modification process and ensure all steps are completed. Modifying a child support order A child support order…

Epperson Law Group recently filed civil claims on behalf of Malomine Tehmeh-Sioh, the wife of Nyonsiela Sioh, against celebrity NeNe Leakes. The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Leakes wrongfully interfered with Ms. Tehmeh-Sioh’s marriage by engaging in an adulterous affair with Mr. Sioh, which ultimately resulted in the destruction of the marriage. The claims are recognized…

It’s always hard when any couple divorces. A divorce means the end of a relationship and the end of the promise of living happily ever after. A divorce causes emotional trauma for everyone involved. The children suffer because they often have no control over the outcome and who will have custody. The financial trauma can…

Victims of domestic violence may endure years of abuse and manipulation before they finally leave. Some victims never leave, and families can suffer an immeasurable loss as a result. We recently read a story about a 20-year-old woman named Berfin Ozek, who had acid thrown on her by her ex-boyfriend when she left him. She…

It is probably one of the worst feelings in the world: discovering that your spouse is cheating on you with someone else. This sort of betrayal can have huge effects on you and your family. If you feel like you can no longer trust your spouse, and that their betrayal is just too much for…

Marriage does not work for many people. Sometimes, a marriage is short and bitter, or long and loving, or everything in between; however, for some, divorce is necessary. It does not make it any easier, unfortunately. A divorce is often a stressful and tedious process, often becoming emotionally draining, as well as financially. What can…

While infidelity can ruin a relationship in an instant, it can be an especially charged situation when a child is involved. One particular case that has recently gone viral is a woman who found her child’s father was cheating on her while she was in labor. The woman on TikTok describes how her boyfriend at…

While times have changed over the decades and women do more than just give birth and raise children, finances can look a bit differently in marriages. There are now two breadwinners and when a woman is pregnant, she will have to take time off of work, which means there is one less income for the…

Winning the lottery is a dream many of us share, and for good reason! We fantasize about receiving enough money to not only pay off all debts, bills, and mortgages, but to live glamorously and luxuriously as well. How many times on a Monday morning have you imagined scratching that winning ticket and leaving your…

Custody and support issues can be complicated to sort out in any typical divorce. When you and your spouse have a child with special needs, however, these matters become even more complex. Who makes decisions about visitation, healthcare, and education? Does one parent have more resources to care for the child? Is the child physically…

During a separation or divorce when children are involved, parents determine a custody agreement. Sometimes they figure out that arrangement together, and sometimes the court develops that arrangement for them. Either way, that custody agreement is always made in the best interests of the child. We know that parents who do not cooperate with child…

When a friend is going through a divorce, it can be hard to watch. Not only is it often a stressful time, but an expensive one. They’re dealing with a separation of their spouse and possibly their children, depending on who gets custody. It may be difficult to know exactly how to show your support…

Getting a divorce is a stressful time in anyone’s life, even when you’re on good terms with the person from which you’re separating. There’s the hassle of dividing assets, of finding a new home, dealing with child custody, not to mention the legal fees of going to court. However, there is an alternate way of…

It’s no secret that there are vast differences between Millennials and Baby Boomers. Everything from style to opinions to where they eat for brunch vary a great deal. It might be expected that the way Millennials date, marry, and divorce are very different from Boomers as well; but why? Is it because Millennials are as…

When we’re getting married, especially when we’re deeply in love, we might not think that a premarital agreement is necessary. We cannot imagine we might one day not be in love with this person we’re marrying – that we might wish to separate or divorce them. Unfortunately, that’s the truth of the matter for many…

You may be a divorcee that shares custody of your children with your spouse. Even though the divorce has been difficult at times, you and your ex-spouse have done a great job putting the children’s needs first, and both of you have borne the financial burdens with equanimity and equality. However, with the current pandemic,…

Usually, when people hear about a couple deciding to divorce, they react from a place of sympathy. Regardless of whether the couple’s family and friends were supportive of the marriage or not, no one wants to hear that a couple has decided to divorce. However, when we hear certain aspects of, say, a celebrity couple’s…

There was a time in American society where blended families were rare. Today, blended families are the norm for many. Divorced parents and their new partners are becoming accustomed to stepparent roles and responsibilities. New stepparents are learning their roles in matters such as their stepchild’s medical history, educational goals, and discipline. When it comes…

The divorce process consists of many difficult choices. In addition to the division of marital assets, one of the most difficult decisions revolves around child custody agreements. Establishing which spouse should receive custody of the children and which spouse is responsible for paying child support are sources of tension for many parents. As difficult as…

Even during a day and age where half of the marriages are expected to end in divorce, there are still some outdated and antiquated views about premarital (sometimes called “prenuptial”) agreements. Some couples feel that even requesting a premarital agreement is a sign that the marriage will not last. Even if you fear your partner’s…