Your Divorce Attorney in Greensboro, NC

Krispen Culbertson, Greensboro divorce lawyer, practicing in Guilford County District Court for 20+ years. Focus on absolute divorce, equitable distribution, alimony, custody, and child support.

Memberships: North Carolina State Bar; local family law section. Courts:
Greensboro and High Point District Court calendars.

Fast answers

Helpful links: Greensboro Family Lawyer • Greensboro Property Division Lawyer • Greensboro Alimony Lawyer • High Net Worth Divorce • Greensboro Child Support Lawyer • Greensboro Child Custody Lawyer • Domestic Violence 50B

What we handle in Greensboro

• Separation planning and absolute divorce filings
• Uncontested divorce with signed agreements and consent orders
• Contested divorce involving property, custody, or support disputes
• Temporary orders for custody, child support, and postseparation support
• Equitable Distribution of homes, retirement, stock awards, and businesses
• Alimony claims and defenses, including modification and termination
• Parenting plans with exchanges, holidays, and school decisions
• 50B and 50C protection when safety is a concern
• Military divorce with jurisdiction and retired pay questions
• Appeals and post-judgment cleanup when something went wrong

Divorce routes that fit your case

Uncontested divorce
If you and your spouse can sign a separation agreement covering property and support, you can often wrap things with a short court appearance and a clean set of consent orders. This saves time and reduces cost.

Contested divorce
If you disagree about property, custody, or support, we build a plan that includes discovery, early motion practice when needed, mediation, and a focused trial plan in Guilford County District Court.

Divorce from bed and board
This is a fault-based claim that can affect who stays in the home and short-term support. It is not the final divorce itself. It can be useful when separation is unsafe or blocked.

Mediation or collaborative paths
When both sides will exchange documents early, mediation can resolve property and support in a day. We draft consent orders the clerk can enter without repeated hearings.

Cross-links: Greensboro Alimony Lawyer • Greensboro Property Division Lawyer • Greensboro Child Custody Lawyer

Separation and filing basics in North Carolina

• One-year separation is the most common ground for absolute divorce under G.S. 50-6. You must live separate and apart for at least 12 months with the intent that the separation be permanent.
• Residency requires that at least one spouse has lived in North Carolina for six months before filing.
• Filing and service start the case. Some matters finish with affidavits and consent orders. Other cases require a brief hearing.
• Name change can be requested in the divorce judgment if you want to resume a former name.

Separation tip: keep the date of separation clear. Save a simple note to yourself with the date, update your mailing address, and avoid mixed finances that confuse the timeline.

Property division under Equitable Distribution

Classify
The court separates assets and debts into marital, separate, and divisible categories. Marital items are generally acquired from the date of marriage to the date of separation, except for clear separate property.

Value
We collect statements and appraisals for the home, retirement accounts, stock awards, vehicles, a small business, and any investment accounts. For closely held companies, we assemble a reasonable valuation file without burying the case in cost.

Distribute
Judges aim for a fair split. That can include percentage allocations, cash offsets, and QDROs for retirement plans. We propose a structure that the clerk can enter and payroll and plan administrators can follow.

Tracing and growth
If you brought separate property into the marriage, we trace it with statements and show passive increases. If marital money boosted value, we address that too.

Read more: Greensboro Property Division Lawyer • High Net Worth Divorce • Greensboro Appeals and Post-Judgment.

Alimony and postseparation support

The judge first decides if one spouse is dependent and the other is supporting. If yes, the court looks at amount and duration using listed factors in G.S. 50-16.3A.

Postseparation support (PSS)
Short-term support that can be ordered quickly while the case is pending. It focuses on need and ability to pay.

Alimony
Longer-term support that weighs income, earning capacity, standard of living, length of marriage, age and health, childcare demands, education or training needs, contributions to home and career, and available assets and debts. Marital misconduct can matter when proven.

Change or end
Alimony may be modified for a change in circumstances. It ends at death, and can end at remarriage or qualifying cohabitation.

Details: Greensboro Alimony Lawyer • Greensboro Modification and Enforcement

Child custody and child support during divorce

Custody
Orders address legal decision-making and parenting time. Schedules can include school-year routines, exchanges, travel, and holiday rotations. If one parent plans a move, UCCJEA rules determine which court has jurisdiction.

Child support
North Carolina applies the Child Support Guidelines with Worksheets A, B, or C. Inputs include each parent’s gross income, overnights, the child’s health insurance premium share, and work-related childcare. Courts can consider deviations in rare cases with strong proof.

Start here: Greensboro Child Support Lawyer and Greensboro Child Custody Lawyer.

Temporary orders in the first 60 to 90 days

• Temporary custody and exchanges
• Postseparation support and child support
• Bill-payment plans to keep the mortgage or rent current
• Short discovery deadlines and mediation dates

A tight temporary order helps reduce conflict and sets a smooth path to settlement.

Mediation and trial

Custody mediation is often required by the court. It gives parents a chance to agree on a plan before a judge makes decisions.

Private mediation for property and support works well when both sides bring accurate documents. Many cases resolve in a single session with a clear consent order.

If trial is needed, we focus on clean exhibits, short witness lists, and orders that are specific enough for payroll, banks, and retirement plans to follow.

Military divorce

• Jurisdiction questions when one spouse is stationed away
• Parenting plans that account for deployments and training
• Division of military retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan choices
• SCRA stay requests when duty prevents attendance

Learn more: Greensboro Military Divorce.

Local courts and calendars

Most divorce matters for this area are heard in Guilford County District Court with courtrooms in Greensboro and High Point. Many cases settle by consent once both sides exchange documents. When a hearing is required, we present the separation timeline, the financial picture, and any urgent needs with a simple, accurate record.

Your first 72 hours with our team

Evidence checklist

• Pay stubs for the last 3 months and your most recent W-2 or 1099
• Tax returns for the last 2 years if available
• Bank and card statements that match your monthly budget
• Deeds, mortgage or lease, car titles, and insurance declarations
• Retirement and brokerage statements, including any stock awards
• Business financials if a company is involved
• Health or childcare records that affect work hours
• A simple parenting time calendar for the last 60 to 90 days
• Any prior orders or written agreements

FAQs

Why Greensboro clients choose Culbertson & Associates

• 20+ years in North Carolina divorce practice
• Regular calendars in Guilford County District Court
• Clean budgets, property spreadsheets, and orders that work in the real world
• Settlement first when possible, ready for trial when it is not
• Straightforward fees and steady timelines