The Lea/Schultz Law Firm Blog
Lawyer of the Year
Congratulations to our attorney Jim Lea for being named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for his work in Family Law! Only a single lawyer in a specific practice area and location is honored with a "Lawyer of the Year" designation. Major thanks goes to his partner...
Don’t Sweat Summertime Custody
For most of us, summertime brings to mind relaxing and recreational activities with friends and families. For divorced parents, though, afternoons at the beach, backyard barbecues, Fourth of July fireworks and family vacations can feel more like sources of stress...
Plan Ahead for Summer Custody and Support
The weather is warmer, flowers are blooming and the last day of school is finally within sight. Those signs all point to the quick beach getaways, weeklong visits with extended family, excursions to amusement parks and camps that come along with summer. If you have...
Don’t Get Overtaxed By Filing Taxes After Divorce
Unless you have a knack for numbers – or rely on the help of a professional – taxes are, in a word, overwhelming. Sadly, divorce can be just as difficult to navigate. Put the two together and you have the recipe for one heck of a headache. Don’t pop the top on that...
Don’t Let Divorce Add Stress To Tax Time
As most of us know, the tax code is complex. Sadly, divorce can be, as well. In some instances, the parties can wrap up financial matters simply and rather gracefully. Other times, it is not so seamless – through no fault of those involved or their attorneys. There...
Child Custody, Child Support And Spousal Support
It is often said that only two things are certain: death and taxes. Through my decades of experience in domestic law, I can confidently say that when it comes to divorce, one or more of three areas are sure to come into play: child custody, child support and spousal...
To Get The Most From Your Attorney, Be A Good Client
Most of us aren’t jacks (or jills) of all trades, so when we have a leaky pipe, loose tooth or lagging brake pedals, we put a lot of trust in the experts to get the job done. It’s likely you have at least one experience with a not-so-handyman, the contractor who kept...
Keep Holidays Cheerful With Custody Schedules
The holiday season is a time to revel in good food with good friends, delight in the little ones’ excitement over gifts and bond with family as you deck the halls or light the menorah. But if you have shared custody of your children, the holidays might not feel...
Don’t Put Children In The Middle Of Divorce
We were a family... and then suddenly we weren’t. Looking back, that’s how quickly it seems my parents’ marriage ended. I recall that I, a youngster of 12, was playing touch football across the street with my dad and some neighborhood kids when my mother, in tears,...
The Do’s And Don’ts Of A Good Client
When you go to a physician with a health problem, you are likely putting your complete trust in that doctor’s expertise. You want him or her to evaluate you and, based on training and experience, offer you a diagnosis and best course of action. The same could be said...
Back-To-School 101 For Divorced Parents
Bookbag? Check. Lunchbox? Check. Pencils, paper, notebooks, erasers? Check, check, check, and check. Getting the kids back into the swing of a new school year can be a bit hectic, to say the least. There’s so much to do and buy before the first bell even rings. Then...
One Destination, Many Paths: Types Of Divorce In NC
The decision to end your marriage is not an easy one but knowing what to do next can be even more overwhelming. Divorce is a long and trying journey, so hopefully you’ve made some pit stops along the way to try to salvage the union through open communication – best...
Two Common Reasons For Divorce
It was Benjamin Franklin who said that we can be certain of only two things in life: death and taxes. As an experienced family law attorney, I’ve heard a slight variation several times over my career – the two worst things in life are death and divorce. And some might...
On The Path To Divorce – Be Sure You Have The Right Guide
Divorce is often a difficult journey to navigate, and you already know it’s not one you want to take alone. You’ve done your research to find an expert guide – a family lawyer – so you’re on your way, right? While hiring the right family attorney is a crucial step...
A Divorce Lawyer’s Advice For A Successful Marriage
As an experienced family lawyer, I have seen plenty of examples of what not to do in a marriage. From that vantage point, I have developed a quick list of rules to help couples sustain their wedded bliss and work together with respect as true partners in life and...
Finding your ‘Super’ Hero Family Law Attorney
Knowing you need a family lawyer is the easy part. Knowing how and where to find the right lawyer can be a bit more overwhelming. Luckily, there are several trustworthy sources for beginning your search. Martindale Hubbell In existence for more than 40 years,...
Understanding Alimony And Your Options
At the outset, alimony might appear to be the gift that keeps on giving. A consistent influx of funds sounds pretty good, right? But if you think of alimony as free money or the “great equalizer” of earning power, you don’t have it quite right. But you’re not entirely...
Don’t Navigate Divorce Alone
You may have tried for months to prevent it. You could have watched it unfold slowly over the years. Or maybe you never saw it coming. However and whenever it happens, divorce can feel like an earth-shattering life event. The impact is fast and far-reaching and often...