Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett FindLaw IM Template 2026-06-25T19:21:59Z https://www.bullreinhardt.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1605332/2026/01/cropped-New-fav-icon-32x32.png On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[What really happens when unhappy parents stay together?]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49676 2025-10-08T15:06:03Z 2025-10-08T15:06:03Z What children learn from unhappy marriages Children are perceptive. Even if you try to hide tension, they will sense the conflict, resentment and the emotional distance between you and your spouse. Because your relationship serves as your children’s first model of romantic love, they may grow up thinking that your setup is normal once they start getting into relationships themselves. When parents stay together despite unhappiness, children go through the following:
  • Emotional stress: The constant tension results in anxiety, depression or stress.
  • Confusion about love: Your children might think that love means enduring misery and that staying is noble.
  • Guilt or responsibility: Although not often, some children blame themselves for their parents’ suffering.
  • Modeling unhealthy relationships: Children who grow up in dysfunctional homes may repeat similar patterns in their own relationships later in life.
As much as stability and structure are important, the children’s emotional wellness and safety matter more. You can give your children a peaceful home, even if that means two separate ones.

Is divorce a better choice?

Not all children with divorced parents experience trauma, especially if the parents parted ways amicably. If both parents can commit to respectful co-parenting, children can grow up feeling secure and loved. In fact, research shows that kids do better when they live in calm, nurturing environments rather than high-conflict ones. Divorce can also give both parents a chance to heal and show their children what healthy boundaries and emotional honesty look like.

Pursue what is best for your family

Some couples successfully rebuild their relationship through counseling, while others find peace through separation. The most important thing is ensuring your children grow up with all the love and support they need. If you are unsure what to do, consider speaking with a qualified marriage or family counselor to explore relationship options, and a family law attorney in North Carolina to understand the legal consequences of divorce and how to protect your children’s well-being. Remember, it is better to have separate homes with happy, well-adjusted children than to stay together and raise broken kids.]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[What happens when co-parents disagree about their child’s education?]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49674 2025-09-23T23:28:15Z 2025-09-23T23:28:15Z Understanding child custody In North Carolina, two types of custody exist. Legal custody is your right and responsibility to make major decisions about your child’s life, including their education, health care and religious upbringing. Physical custody determines where your child lives on a day-to-day basis. Parents typically share joint legal custody in North Carolina, meaning that they must agree on major decisions, which is a key part of the divorce and separation process. When sharing this responsibility, open and effective communication between parents is vital to help lessen the impact of divorce on children.

The power of a parenting agreement

A comprehensive parenting agreement is the best way to prevent future conflicts. A well-written contract clearly states who is responsible for making educational decisions, such as choosing a school or tutor. A strong agreement is a key part of your separation or divorce case. This document protects your rights as a parent and prioritizes your child's well-being. It also creates a predictable routine that offers your child a sense of stability. A good parenting agreement can also cover other important decisions, including:
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Medical and dental care
  • How parents will communicate with each other
A strong parenting contract also outlines a method for resolving disputes, which is crucial so there’s a clear path to follow when disagreements arise. A typical agreement might specify that parents must first attempt to resolve a dispute on their own through direct communication, helping ensure that the focus remains on finding a solution that benefits the child, rather than escalating to a court battle.

When you can't agree: Mediation and court

If you and your co-parent cannot settle disputes on your own, North Carolina courts require you to attend mediation. A neutral third party will help you find a solution. If mediation fails, a judge will step in. Courts generally prefer a stable environment for children, and a judge's decision is always based on the "best interests of the child," by considering several factors, including:
  • The child’s current school and academic performance
  • Each parent’s ability to provide a stable educational environment
  • The child's wishes, if they are old enough and mature enough to express them
Disagreements about your child's education can be stressful, but North Carolina provides a clear path for resolving them. A skilled child custody attorney can help you craft a detailed parenting agreement so you avoid problems later on. Experienced lawyers can help protect your child’s best interests and your rights as a parent.]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[How can you protect your child’s college education in divorce?]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49463 2025-04-07T17:29:45Z 2024-09-05T10:44:43Z Divorce has a way of shattering your dreams for the future – but you don’t want it to shatter your child’s chance at a college education. It’s important to understand that child support in North Carolina is only mandated until the child in question turns 18 years of age (up to 20 if the child is still in high school). No provision requires a parent to pay for their child’s postsecondary education. In addition, if you and your co-parent currently have savings set aside for your child’s education, those funds may be viewed as marital assets that have to be divided – and your ex-spouse can simply decide to use the money however they please once you’re divorced. What can you do to safeguard your child’s academic career? Here are some possibilities.

Make college part of your divorce agreement

If you and your co-parent are working to craft a settlement agreement, put your child’s college education on the negotiating table and advocate for what you want. Insist that your co-parent agrees to continue setting money aside for your child’s education the same way that they would prior to the divorce. Your agreement can even divide the college expenses in whatever way you find fair, so think carefully about exactly what your child’s needs may be.

Establish a trust fund

A trust fund is always an option. Whatever money you have set aside can be placed in an irrevocable trust for your child’s education, which means that it can’t be touched by either parent. Just make sure that you structure the trust in a way that allows for some flexibility in case your child decides not to attend college or is unable to do so for any reason.

Make use of the Uniform Gift to Minors Act

Under the UGMA, you can transfer the money into a special account that is owned by your child. They’ll gain full access to the funds once they turn 18, which can then be used for their college. (The only potential drawback is that your child – not you – will have the final say on how the money is spent.) Divorce is tough on anybody, but divorcing parents with minor children may have it especially rough. Experienced legal guidance can help you make sure that your divorce doesn’t end their college dreams by exploring all the possible options.]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[How can a driver’s listening choice affect their driving?]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49464 2024-08-21T09:56:19Z 2024-08-21T09:56:19Z Not everyone has the same taste in music. Some people stick to one genre, be it pop or heavy metal. Others change their listening to suit their mood. Others eschew music for the spoken word. Everyone is free to listen to what they please when driving, but they should be aware that their choices could affect their driving. Some choices of listening could make a crash more likely.

Overly engrossing listening

Let’s imagine that today, you put on a podcast as you set out on your commute to work. The conversation between the presenter and their guest is fascinating. Before you know it you arrive at work and reluctantly turn it off to enter your workplace. How much attention do you think you paid to the road as you drove? It’s probably a lot less than you think, as your brain cannot focus on two things at once, and if the podcast had you engrossed, that’s where a lot of your attention was directed.

High tempo music

Researchers in one study found that once the beat of the music hit 120 per minute, drivers showed more variation in speed, overtook more and changed lanes more. They were also more distracted than those with lower-tempo music, or no music. All of those things can make crashing more likely.

Overly soporific

“Listen to my voice. Feel your eyelids getting heavier.” That’s standard spiel for a hypnotist trying to send you into a deep sleep but it’s not what you want to be hearing when you are driving. Even without the words, some music can be a little too relaxing to be listening to while driving.  If someone crashes into you, noticing what is coming out of their speakers could give you a clue to the cause of the crash. And that could help you pin the blame on them and claim the compensation you need.  ]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[Will your spouse receive part of your inheritance in a divorce?]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49465 2025-04-07T17:33:56Z 2024-08-12T09:07:23Z Couples spend their lives accumulating assets, hoping for a comfortable retirement and leaving a legacy for their children. With the right investments and estate planning, they are planting the seeds of generational wealth for years to come. However, parents' common worry is, what happens if their child and spouse get divorced? Will the ex get part of the inheritance meant for their child and grandchildren?

Marital versus separate property

North Carolina is an "equitable distribution" state regarding property divided in a divorce, which means the division of marital assets will be fair but not necessarily equal. Marital assets are those acquired by either spouse during the marriage. Assets obtained before the marriage or by gift or inheritance during the marriage are typically not subject to division. However, some circumstances could lead to an inheritance being classified as marital property:
  1. The inheritance is mixed with marital assets, such as deposited into a joint bank account or used to purchase jointly titled property
  2. It's transmuted, which means that it's used in a way that makes it appear as marital property, such as using the money to remodel the house owned by both of you.
To make sure that your inheritance remains separate property in the event of a divorce, you may want to consider the following:
  • Avoid depositing inherited funds into a joint account or using them for joint purchases. Instead, open a separate bank account for your inheritance.
  • Consider establishing a trust for your inheritance. This will allow you to dictate the terms of how the funds are to be managed.
  • Maintain detailed documentation of how the inheritance was received and used.
If you will be receiving an inheritance from your parents, it's crucial to ensure it remains intact for you and your children. Discuss the situation with someone who can guide you through deciding what is best for you.  ]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[Why some couples choose birdnesting custody arrangements]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49466 2024-08-02T06:22:37Z 2024-08-02T06:22:37Z How does birdnesting work? Most birds construct nests that are only large enough for one adult bird and the eggs the female lays. In many species, both parents take turns sitting on the eggs and caring for the young. When the other arrives to care for the flightless baby birds, the other parent flies off in search of food. A birdnesting custody arrangement for humans is similar. The parents agree to maintain joint ownership of the family home. The children remain in the space they have known for much of their lives. They can maintain their relationships with their friends and stay in the same schools. The parents either divide the space in a way that allows them to live separately in the home or each maintain a separate living space outside of the marital home. Both arrangements can be less disruptive and more cost-effective than attempting to rent or buy living units that have adequate space for the children. Birdnesting arrangements require careful planning, as parents must maintain clear expectations for one another and boundaries for their own protection and mental health. However, when approached appropriately, birdnesting arrangements can be useful for the entire extended family unit. Families used to a comfortable standard of living in a competitive school district may find it prohibitively difficult to acquire alternative housing in the same school district during a divorce. Exploring every viable child custody solution can help parents ultimately arrive at the best arrangements possible for their families. A birdnesting custody arrangement is one of several unique solutions that may work for any particular family.]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[Why are there so many teen car accidents in the summer?]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49467 2024-07-30T00:28:56Z 2024-07-30T00:28:56Z Isn’t this true all year around? Yes, the risk from teen drivers is present all year around. Some of the reasons given above, such as distraction or impairment, are not exclusive to the summer. The difference in the summer months is just that teens are no longer in school. The school schedule is fairly rigid, keeping them off of the road. Those who do drive may simply commute to school and back. In the summer, teens have a three-month break. They are naturally going to drive a lot more, cover a lot more miles and cause more accidents as a result. On top of that, the type of driving they do may be more dangerous. A teenager who usually commutes to school alone may be driving around town with friends in the car, for instance, increasing the chances of distraction. If you’ve been injured in a crash, or if you’ve lost a loved one, then you need to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[Keep your feet off the dash this summer!]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49095 2024-07-01T06:46:33Z 2024-07-04T06:46:18Z When you’re headed on a road trip with your buddy and you’re the passenger, it’s really tempting to kick back and prop your feet up on the dashboard. It feels jaunty, freewheeling, comfortable and fun – but don’t do it. Having your feet up on the dashboard may seem cool at the moment, but it’s a recipe for serious or fatal injuries. Here’s why:

Your seatbelt won’t hold you

First of all, the seatbelts in cars are designed to hold occupants in place when they’re properly seated in position – not slid downward and slouched backward with their feet level with their shoulders.  If you end up in a wreck while you’re in that position, the belt cannot protect you. Instead, you’re likely to be injured as you slip downward and the belt catches your body in the wrong spot. Doctors say that paralysis from a spinal column that’s been torn apart isn’t an unlikely result, and neither are things like a ruptured bowl or a torn aorta to your heart.

An airbag can do incredible damage

Depending upon what kind of car you’re in and its age and condition, there may be airbags installed – and those deploy with an incredible amount of force. That force can do some unintentional damage even when your body is at a proper distance from the device. So much force is involved, that an airbag can easily shatter feet and legs when they burst forth. They can also contort the human body beyond all imagining. Your feet can be pushed into your face and your knees could end up being driven into your eye sockets.  It’s important to do what you can to stay safe out there on the road – because negligent drivers are everywhere. If you end up in a wreck with one, passenger or not, you have the right to seek fair compensation. ]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[3 changes to make to your child custody arrangement]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49092 2025-04-07T17:36:25Z 2024-06-28T04:24:28Z divorce where parents have children, they will have a child custody arrangement, either formally or informally. A formal child custody arrangement (separation agreement, parenting agreement or Court order) determines each parent’s rights, obligations and responsibilities. There may be a reason to change a custody arrangement. Here are a few things you may need or want to change.

How often you have your children (Physical Custody)

A child custody arrangement determines how often you have physical custody of your child. You may have your child every other day, week or month. It will also deal with holidays and birthdays. Custody schedules often need to be changed over time to fit both parents’ schedules and a child’s needs. For example, a child with special needs may require more attention from one parent, a parent may move farther away or a parent’s school or work schedule may conflict with the current custody schedule.

How you communicate with your co-parent (Legal Custody)

If your separation was amicable its likely you have joint custody, communicating often with your co-parent, and coming to joint decisions. You may talk about what your child needs, schedule changes or other issues. If you and your co-parent frequently argue, then you may want to consider limiting communications through a parallel parenting plan. Parallel parenting could give you more autonomy over your child while they are with you and can change the custody schedule.

How often your ex has visitation

If you have sole custody of your child, then you are likely expected to take full responsibility regarding decisions for your child. (school, doctors, activities) However, this does not automatically give you authority to set the other parents contact. Your child’s other parent may have the right to visitation. There may be reasons to limit your child's other parent’s visitation rights, if they endanger your child.  Safety concerns can come in a number of forms.  It is important that you consult an experienced family law attorney so they can assess  the level of risk and advise you of the appropriate action to take to protect your child.[author] [author_image timthumb='on'][/author_image] [author_info]Adam Bull is a an attorney licensed in North Carolina since 1992 and practicing in Asheville North Carolina concentrating on family law matters.[/author_info] [/author] You can discuss your goals with a child custody arrangement with legal guidance. Learning more about your parenting rights could give you a better chance of getting the changes you’re seeking.]]> On Behalf of Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett <![CDATA[Will your divorce affect the operation of your family business?]]> https://www.bullreinhardt.com/?p=49085 2024-06-05T05:03:48Z 2024-06-10T05:03:31Z When your family business is thrown into the mix of a divorce, things can get complicated. You’ve poured your heart and soul into building something together, and now the future seems uncertain.  But fear not; there are ways to continue operating your family business and help ensure its continued success. It can help to understand how your divorce might affect your family business and explore strategies to minimize disruption.

What are the potential challenges?

Working alongside your soon-to-be ex can be difficult, especially if communication breaks down. Even if you used to work well as a team, you may start disagreeing on decision-making, and this tension can rub off on your employees. Furthermore, divorce proceedings can be a drain on your business’ resources. The divorce settlement may tie up funds that were intended for business growth. Additionally, the division of marital assets, which likely includes the business itself, requires careful consideration to help ensure a fair outcome for both parties. The ownership and management of the family enterprise can also become points of contention. Who will retain control? How will responsibilities be divided? If both spouses were actively involved, a gap in leadership could arise, creating a period of instability.

Strategies for successful business operation

The good news is that with clear communication and a well-defined plan, you can minimize the negative impacts of the divorce on your family business.  Despite the end of your matrimonial union, honest and open communication with your business partner is crucial. Find time to discuss the goals for the business and how you envision moving forward.  Additionally, keeping your employees informed about the situation can reduce anxiety. Be upfront about the impact your divorce might have on the business and address any burning questions they might have. Your imminent divorce doesn’t have to spell doom for your family business. You can help ensure its continued success by employing the services of a trusted legal group, prioritizing honest communication with your soon-to-be ex and addressing any anxieties your staff might have. ]]>