Join Jennifer McCaskill, Esq. and Family Law Mediator, as she helps you navigate the tricky and sometimes brutal reality of divorce. She is the principle and founder of the Law Office of Jennifer J. McCaskill, LLC where for almost two decades she has been helping people navigate through their toughest family law challenges with true understanding and compassion. Whether you’re looking for mediation, child support, child custody, division of assets, post-judgment matters, or just wondering if ...
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Veteran Divorce, Child Custody, & Family Law Attorney, Leigh Sellers, serves as your guide through the foreign world of Splitsville – an alien place with its own rules, its own expectations, and even its own language. You won't find it on Google Maps, and your GPS won't work here. So if you’re feeling lost, you’re in the right place. With decades of experience serving clients in North Carolina (Charlotte, Monroe, Waxhaw, Concord, Gastonia, Weddington, NC) and South Carolina (Fort Mill, Rock ...
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Ep #02: All About Restraining Orders with Kristin Pallonetti
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Many people throw around the threat of restraining orders without actually understanding the process or pitfalls of actually getting one. So today, I have divorce lawyer Kristin Pallonetti here to talk about just that, covering everything from what it means to get a temporary restraining order to how to go through the process to finalize one. You c…
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Ep #01: Forensic Accounting 101 with Kevin Baldwin
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Welcome to The Brutal Reality of Divorce podcast! I'm your host, Jennifer McCaskill, Esq. and Family Law Mediator, and I'm here to help you navigate your toughest family law challenges. In this inaugural episode, I'm joined by my friend Kevin Baldwin, a forensic accountant I have used on many cases. Listen in as Kevin clears up some common misconce…
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Dealing With Mortgage Debt and Refinancing After Divorce
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Divorcing couples often find themselves at a loss when trying to determine how to handle what is often their largest asset, the family home. Who stays in the home? What does the person who is leaving the home do for a substitute home? How do you finance these decisions? On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we have invited Senior Mortgage Cons…
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What is a Guardian Ad Litem? with Hollie Bennett
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A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a community volunteer appointed by the court to serve children by advocating for their best interests before the court. When appropriate, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem in a child custody action. If you’re currently involved in or about to enter a contested custody battle, divorce, or separation, this episode…
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Can I Get My Child Support Changed Due to COVID-19?
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The world has been facing a public health crisis that has caused significant economic changes and uncertainty. In the first two quarters of the year, families that are both intact and separated are facing increasing financial problems and struggles. More so for the latter, if one parent is obligated by the court to pay child support. But, with the …
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One of the more prominent narratives surrounding separation and divorce involves ex-spouses being at each other’s throats and constantly arguing with one another. Such a hostile environment not only affects the former couple but negatively impacts their children as well. While separation and divorce are difficult for everyone involved, a happy co-p…
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The outcome of divorce and custody cases isn’t just dependent on your attorney or the judge. Believe it or not, your attitude and decisions during the whole process are going to affect how it all works out in the end. You have a lot of control over your own success, 01:45 and the divorce attorney is there to guide you along the way in terms of the …
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Alcoholism and Child Custody with Chris Beck of Soberlink
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Child custody cases are often the toughest types of cases that go through family court. Far too often, those cases involve parents with alcohol and substance abuse issues. Some states, including North Carolina, allow for alcohol monitoring systems in child custody cases. In this episode, we talk with Chris Beck of Soberlink, a modern tool that help…
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What is a Custody Evaluation? with Dr. Sean Knuth
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By Leigh Sellers
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What is a Divorce Coach? With Sandra Lee of Emerge Victorious
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On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore what a divorce coach does and explore how utilizing a coach can help you navigate your divorce. Today's conversation is with Sandra Lee, a divorce coach in Charlotte, NC, with more than 20 years of experience. First, we hear Sandra explore the differences between divorce coaching and therapy. 4:…
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You did the proposal, the ring, and the "yes!" Now, you're attacking your wedding planning To-Dos. The modern wedding planning to-do list frequently includes some variation of "discuss getting a prenup." On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore the question of whether you need a prenuptial agreement or "prenup." Today's conversation is…
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Often a breakup is too stressful for a person to handle on their own. Divorce attorneys are often asked for recommendations on finding a good therapist. On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore how to pick a therapist and the therapist's role in helping you through a divorce. Today's conversation is with Dr. Sean Knuth, a licensed psyc…
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What Happens to My Fur Babies in a Divorce?
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There are many things to consider during a divorce. How will the assets be split? Where do the kids spend the holidays? Who gets the record collection? One question we are starting to hear with regularity is, "who gets custody of the family pets after a divorce?" On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore what happens to pets when a marr…
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Does Your Diagnosis Matter in Your Child Custody Case?
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Child custody cases are tough on everyone. When one parent has a mental health diagnosis things can get very complicated. On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore how a parent’s mental health diagnosis may affect a child custody case. Today’s conversation is with Sean Knuth, a licensed psychologist in North Carolina who specializes in …
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The Role of a Child Therapist in Divorce Court
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Custody cases are very complex and can include many experts who often are called upon to testify in court. On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore the role of a child therapist in divorce court. Today’s conversation is with Maria Curran, of The Center for Creativity and Healing. Maria is a therapist with over 25 years of experience wo…
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How Do You Fill Out a Financial Declaration in an Alimony Case?
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Divorce can be an overwhelming process for many especially with all the numbers and forms required. On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore an area that can be one of the most daunting parts of a divorce for many: how do you fill out a financial declaration in an alimony case? Today we’re back with Beth Gregg, Wealth Manager, CDFA, Fi…
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How to Protect Yourself From Invasion of Privacy During Divorce
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You might be shocked to find out getting a divorce is not the most private matter. On this episode of Splitsville, we explore the area of computer forensics and talk about how you can protect yourself from invasions of privacy in the world of divorce. Today’s conversation is with Clark Walton. He is an attorney with a background in computer science…
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How a Child Therapist Can Help Families Going Through a Divorce
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Divorce and adjusting to the new family dynamic of living in two separate households can be overwhelming for anyone, especially children. On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore how a child therapist can help families going through a divorce. Today’s conversation is with Maria Curran from The Center for Creativity and Healing. Maria i…
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How do you use a Financial Advisor in a Collaborative Divorce?
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Divorce does not have to be an exclusively adversarial process. Today, collaborative divorce is becoming more mainstream and in this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore the benefits of using a financial advisor in a collaborative divorce. Today we're back with Beth Gregg, Wealth Manager, CDFA, Financial and Divorce Planner, and Managing P…
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How Can I Get Out of an Abusive Relationship?
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There are several areas of family law that are darker than most, and one is the topic of this episode, domestic violence. If you are in one a relationship that is abusive and thinking of reaching out or know someone who is struggling to get out of an abusive relationship, today's conversation with Jamie Sellers from Safe Alliance on how to get out …
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Are you divorced or separated with children and considering a move, either just for yourself or with a new partner? The elevatable question pops up, can move with my children, to another city or another state, away from the other parent? If that sounds like you or you are interested in finding out more about this complicated child custody issue and…
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Are you questioning if you are legally married, or you may know you are legally married but a problem has occurred and now you want to see if you can get out of it without going through all the hoops of a divorce? If that sounds like you or you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to be legally married, be common law married, or g…
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"Top 5 Mistakes Divorcing Parents Make" with Trey Ishee
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Doctor Trey Ishee of Southeast Psych joins the podcast this week to discuss common mistakes divorcing parents make. Trey shares personal anecdotes from his career as well as a number of strategies to overcome these common mistakes and/or avoid them all together. While openly embracing pop culture and superheroes, Trey provides psychotherapy to chil…
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You've been separated for a year. No assets, no kids, not even a dog to fight about. You just want a quick and simple divorce so you can move on with your life. You may even be asking yourself if you need an attorney at all. If this sounds like you, you're in the right place. The good news is, based on your specific circumstances, you may not requi…
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"How to Divorce a Narcissist" with Breta Collins
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Breta Collins of Dilworth Counseling is back to discuss the unpleasant task of divorcing a narcissist. The Mayo Clinic defines narcissistic personality disorder as a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for o…
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How to Prepare for Mediation in Divorce & Child Custody Cases
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Mediation is a wonderful opportunity to resolve your dispute without throwing your case on the mercy of a judge. In fact, courts in North Carolina and South Carolina require mediation for most divorce and child custody cases. In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, discusses the benefits of mediation versus litigation and outl…
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"How Am I Going to Buy a House?" with Diane McDermott
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Diane McDermott is back to walk you through the ins and outs of buying your post-divorce home. After a stressful home-buying experience during her own divorce, Diane has focused her real estate business on guiding divorcing women through the home buying process. Did you get your free copy of Diane's ebook for women homebuyers? The Badass Chick’s Gu…
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"Where Will I Live?" with Diane McDermott
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Purchasing a home after a divorce can be an overwhelming process. Adding stress to the process, this is often the first time a person has bought a home by themselves. Struggling with this process after her own divorce prompted Diane McDermott to focus her Real Estate business on helping divorcing women during the home buying process. Diane has also…
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Developing a Holiday Child Custody Schedule Everyone Can Feel Good About
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The holidays are often a stressful time for any family, but for a newly divorced family, the holidays can be disastrous. Can I take the kids to my parents for Thanksgiving? Why should he get to spend Christmas morning with the children? How about spring break and Easter? For those of you entering the first holiday season of your separation or divor…
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Financial Pitfalls in Divorce with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Beth Gregg
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One of my goals when working with a divorcing client is to help them create a positive financial future for themselves after divorce. I do that by collaborating with professional Financial Analysts like Beth Gregg. Beth is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with Fairview Strategic Partners and has been providing financial consulting for more tha…
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What a Private Investigator Can Do for You with PI Jan Barefoot
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Suspected infidelity, child custody actions, divorce actions, and domestic violence are just a few of the reasons a person may consider hiring a private investigator. In this episode, your host and guide, Charlotte Family Law Attorney Leigh Sellers, sits down with Private Investigator Jan Barefoot, founder of Barefoot Professional Investigations. B…
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How Do We Tell the Kids? With Breta Collins, Marriage & Family Therapist
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For some parents, the prospect of telling their children about the decision to divorce can be among the most difficult parts of the process. What do we tell them? How much do we tell them? Are there things we shouldn't say? Do we talk to them together or individually? How do we discuss this in a way that is developmentally appropriate for our child…
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Divorce, Debt, & Bankruptcy with Attorney Heather Culp
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While many people are familiar with divorce stemming from infidelity, abuse, addiction, or growing apart, what's not often discussed is the toll that financial stress can take on a marriage. Job loss, illness, disability, student loans, poor financial planning, and changes in the economy can all lead an otherwise happy couple down the path of separ…
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Co-Parenting: What Is It and How Do You Achieve It?
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Co-parenting is a concept where both parents continue parenting the children in much the same way as when the family lived under one roof. When both parents are committed to the process, co-parenting can provide a far more rewarding and enriching life for your children than any scenario a court could choose for your family. Click here to call Touch…
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Click here to call Touchstone Family Law now! In divorce situations, private investigators are often called upon to help build a case and establish certain facts that are important to a client. However, what many clients don't know is that not all private investigators are created equal. Depending on what you're trying to prove (unreported income, …
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Click here to call Touchstone Family Law now! Alimony is often a stressful subject for anyone in a combined financial relationship. How much will I get? How much will I have to pay? How long does alimony last? In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, discusses the legal implications of alimony and makes sure you're prepared for…
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Should I Take Half the Money in the Bank Account?
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Click here to call Touchstone Family Law now! Taking money from a bank account prior to or during a separation or divorce can feel like the right thing to do. In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, discusses why your best move is to discuss your goals and the facts of your unique situation with your attorney before taking mon…
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"What will happen to my children during separation and divorce?" This is a question every family law attorney encounters and it is fraught with anxiety and fear. In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, provides you with actionable information to ease your mind and help you make the best decisions for your family. Key insights …
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What Do I Need to Know About Child Support?
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Child support is often among the most contentious issues in a child custody matter. Whether you're planning on paying or receiving child support, chances are you have more than a few questions. In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, provides you with the tips you need if your case involves child support. Key insights from the…
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“We do not want to go to court.” Often, this is one of the first things people say during the initial consultation. Fortunately, there is no shortage of options for resolving a divorce outside of court. In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, provides you with the tips you need to keep your case out of court. Key insights from…
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Your initial consultation with a divorce attorney is your opportunity to get the information you need to make the right choices moving forward. In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, provides you with the tips you need to get the most out of that first meeting. Key insights from the episode: 1:35 - Questions you should be ask…
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When it comes to dating, the laws in North Carolina & South Carolina differ significantly. In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, breaks down some of those differences and provides actionable advice to keep you on the right track. Key insights from the episode: 1:30 - How the timing of when you start dating can impact your di…
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In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, discusses another question many newcomers to Splitsville have, "Can We Use the Same Attorney?" Key insights from the episode: 1:15 - Why you can’t use the same divorce attorney 3:25 - How you both can have attorneys and minimize costs 4:37 - How having an attorney can save you time and m…
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In this episode, your host and guide, Attorney Leigh Sellers, discusses another question many newcomers to Splitsville have, "How Much Will This Cost Me?" Key insights from the episode: 1:27 - The factors that go into the cost of a family law case, including complications, the number of issues involved, and the length of time that it takes to handl…
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Divorce is a legal proceeding, so the question is not "do I need an attorney?," the question is "which attorney do I choose?" In this episode, North & South Carolina Family Law Attorney Leigh Sellers discusses the reasons you should always hire an attorney to assist with your divorce. The insights and views presented in “Welcome to Splitsville” are…
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Veteran Divorce Lawyer, Leigh Sellers, serves as your guide through the foreign world of Splitsville – an alien place with its own rules, its own expectations, and even its own language. You won't find it on Google Maps, and your GPS won't work here. So if you’re feeling lost, you’re in the right place. With decades of experience serving clients in…
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continue reading