If you are heading toward divorce in North Carolina, you might be eager to put the past behind you. This sentiment is especially common among spouses who end things on a somewhat bitter and resentful note. Not all breakups are amicable, and it does not make sense to maintain contact with someone who sparks conflict or stress. How do you minimize contact with your ex after a divorce in North Carolina? Is it possible to end your marriage in such a way that you never have to see your ex again? These are questions you might want to ask a family law attorney.
Lump-Sum AlimonyFor many spouses, alimony payments serve as a painful reminder of their past marriage. Each month, you might feel unwelcome emotions after noticing these payments leaving your bank account. Even those who receive alimony payments may feel the same way. If you want to avoid these constant reminders of your past, consider lump-sum alimony.
As the name suggests, a lump-sum alimony payment occurs once. After this single payment, you can forget all about spousal support and move on with your life. This may be preferable for some spouses, although it certainly has its pros and cons. Perhaps most notably, many spouses lack the liquid assets to make these one-time payments.
Moving AwayAnother option is quite simple: Move away. If you leave the state, county, or neighborhood, you lower the chances of running into your ex in the future. There are no real legal steps to consider, and you can move away immediately after your date of separation if you wish.
However, you should consider a few potential implications before making your move. Moving away may cause issues with child custody, and family courts generally try to keep children in their local communities if possible. According to North Carolina, excessive travel time between parents’ homes is not in the best interests of children.
Avoid Co-Owning Assets After DivorceIf you want to limit contact with your ex after divorce, you should probably avoid co-owning assets. For example, you and your ex might have acquired a rental property during your marriage. You might want to continue earning rental income from this asset instead of selling the property and dividing the cash proceeds.
However, co-ownership essentially makes your ex a business partner for the foreseeable future. Disputes and challenges are bound to arise, and this may prove untenable after a difficult divorce. If you like the idea of passive income, consider using cash proceeds to fund other business ventures. Generally speaking, co-ownership of assets after divorce is a rare choice for spouses.
Streamline Custody ExchangesIf you had children with your ex during the marriage, it may be difficult to completely avoid continued contact. If you are committed to playing an active role in your child’s life, you may need to cooperate with your ex for the foreseeable future. However, this does not necessarily mean that you need to remain in constant contact with them – and there are many ways to streamline your co-parenting plan.
One of the best ways to limit contact is to streamline custody exchanges. You can create detailed plans on how children should move from one residence to the other, and an experienced family law attorney can help you hash out the details. For example, you might plan to carry out custody exchanges on neutral ground – and you can potentially limit these exchanges to just a few minutes of interaction.
Avoiding Future ModificationsEven if you pursue an efficient divorce plan, modifications could drag you back into court many years later. For example, your ex might attempt to modify the child custody agreement, the child support plan, or alimony. Your attorney may be able to help you avoid future modifications with various strategies. One example is lump-sum alimony, which cannot be modified in the future due to its one-time nature.
Schedule a Consultation With Arnold & Smith, PLLC TodayEvery divorce is unique, and it is difficult to determine the most optimal strategy through online research alone. Instead of seeking vague answers online, consider a consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer in North Carolina. These legal professionals can assess your specific circumstances and help you put the past behind you. With our help, you can confidently finalize your divorce, protect your wealth, and start a new chapter. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.