In honor of National Stepfamily Day on September 16, we’re taking the opportunity to shed light on the beauty of blended families.
Modern-day families come in all shapes and sizes and, while they may not look the way a “traditional”
Woodruff Family Law Group
Woodruff Family Law Group is a legal organization specializing in family law matters, primarily serving clients in North Carolina. The group publishes blog content focused on family law topics such as child custody, divorce, arbitration awards, and co-parenting challenges. Their posts often analyze recent court decisions, explain legal requirements for custody and divorce proceedings, and provide practical advice for single parents and families undergoing transitions. Additionally, they address related community issues, including support for local animal shelters and the treatment of pets in family law cases. The group aims to inform and assist individuals navigating family law processes with an emphasis on procedural correctness and client support.
Website:
https://woodrufflawfirm.com
Latest from Woodruff Family Law Group - Page 2
If a Judge Copies Your Statement Into a Protective Order, Will It Hold Up on Appeal? (Part 2 of 2)
The previous blog discussed the facts of Jay v. Jay.
What Did the Courts Decide in Jay v. Jay?
Both the Court of Appeals (in 2025) and the North Carolina Supreme Court (in March 2026) upheld the initial order…
If a Judge Copies Your Statement Into a Protective Order, Will It Hold Up on Appeal? (Part 1 of 2)
You traveled to court, told the judge your testimony under oath, and walked out with a domestic violence protective order. Then the other side appeals – not by arguing that the abuse you reported never happened, but by claiming that…
When Can a Nonparent Seek Custody in North Carolina?
Few family law questions are more personal than deciding who gets to spend time with a child. Things become even more complicated when someone who is not a biological or adoptive parent has filled a parental role.
Cox v. Sadovnikov…
What If a Judge Doesn’t Believe You in a North Carolina DVPO Hearing? (Part 2 of 2)
Our last blog reviewed the underlying facts of the case Brown v. Rodriguez, a 2024 unpublished opinion. This blog will explain what happened when the case was appealed.
Why Did the Plaintiff’s Appeal Fail in Court?
After the judge’s…
What If a Judge Doesn’t Believe You in a North Carolina DVPO Hearing? (Part 1 of 2)
Are you heading into a domestic violence protective order hearing? For many in this situation, one worry tends to underpin many others – and it’s one they may be afraid to say out loud:
What if the judge doesn’t believe…
Business Goodwill in Divorce: What the NC Supreme Court’s New Ruling Means for Business Valuation
By Carolyn J. Woodruff, JD, CPA & CVA
The NC Supreme Court’s Sneed v. Johnston decision changes how personal and enterprise goodwill are analyzed when valuing a professional practice in equitable distribution.
A Major Development in North Carolina Business Valuation in Divorce
On August 14, 2026, the Supreme…
When a Juvenile Case Ends, Can a Custody Case Move Forward Again?
If a custody dispute exists, the involvement of children in a juvenile neglect case can put that dispute on hold. That pause may be necessary while the juvenile court considers safety issues. But what happens when the juvenile case is…
When Can a Custody Order Be Changed in North Carolina?
For children caught in the middle of a divorce, few things feel more uncertain (or more frightening) than not knowing what their daily life will look like going forward. Child custody orders are meant to change that by giving families…
Is a Permanent Custody Order Always Permanent in North Carolina? (Part 2 of 2)
Our last blog covered the facts of Williamson v. Smith (909 S.E.2d 926). Father argued that the custody order was permanent, while the mother argued that it was not.
The Court of Appeals sided with the mother. Why? Whether…