Your Alimony Attorney

Krispen Culbertson, Greensboro alimony lawyer, practicing in Guilford County District Court for 20+ years. Focus on postseparation support (PSS), alimony trials and consent orders, modification, termination for remarriage or cohabitation, and attorney’s fees.

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

Fast answers

Related pages: Greensboro Family Lawyer • Greensboro Divorce Lawyer • Greensboro Property Division Lawyer • Greensboro Child Support Lawyer • Greensboro Child Custody Lawyer • Greensboro Modification and Enforcement

What we handle in Greensboro

• Postseparation support filings and fast-track hearings
• Alimony trials and consent orders
• Marital misconduct issues and proof where relevant
• Modification after income, health, or need changes
• Termination for remarriage or cohabitation
• Attorney’s fees requests when available
• High income and self-employed cases with clear documentation
• Health limits or disability that affect earning capacity
• Settlement drafting that payroll and banks can follow

North Carolina framework for alimony and PSS

North Carolina law uses two related forms of spousal support.

• Postseparation support (PSS): short-term relief based on need and ability to pay. It keeps the lights on while the larger case moves forward.
• Alimony: longer-term support decided after the court reviews statutory factors. The judge first decides if a spouse is dependent, then sets amount and duration using the factors listed in the statute.

Key ideas the court reviews

• Earnings and earning capacity of both spouses
• Reasonable needs and standard of living during the marriage
• Length of the marriage and each person’s age and health
• Education, training, and childcare that affect ability to work
• Contributions to the home, career, or business of the other spouse
• Assets and debts and any other factor the law allows
• Marital misconduct, including illicit sexual behavior, financial waste, or other listed conduct

If marital misconduct is alleged, the judge can hear that proof at a PSS or alimony hearing and weigh it as the statute permits.

Postseparation support (PSS)

When it helps

• Income stopped or dropped after separation
• Ongoing bills do not match cash flow
• Health, childcare, or housing needs require a quick ruling

What moves PSS

• A short budget that shows monthly needs
• Pay stubs, W-2 or 1099, and recent returns
• Health limits or childcare schedules that restrict work hours

PSS can be set by consent order or after a brief hearing. It ends at a time stated by the court or when alimony is decided.

CTA: Call 336-272-4299 or send a message to map out your PSS filing and hearing date.

How alimony is decided

Step 1: Entitlement
The court decides if one spouse is dependent and the other is supporting. If yes, the court moves to amount and duration.

Step 2: Amount and duration
The judge weighs the listed factors and looks for a practical number that meets need and fits ability to pay. Clean proof is key.

What proof helps

• Income: recent pay stubs, year-to-date totals, bonus history, 1099s, K-1s, and returns
• Expenses: a simple monthly budget tied to bank or card statements
• Work limits: medical notes, therapy schedules, or childcare calendars
• Career steps: training programs, degree plans, or job search records
• Misconduct proof if at issue: messages, bank activity, or credible witnesses

Where property fits
Property division is separate from alimony. Still, the judge may look at assets, debts, and cash flow when shaping support. See Greensboro Property Division Lawyer for more on equitable distribution.

Modification

Alimony can be raised, lowered, or ended when circumstances change. Examples include:

• Job loss, new job, or major shift in hours or bonuses
• Health changes that cut earning capacity or raise medical costs
• A different childcare schedule that affects work
• Retirement that is real and made in good faith

Timing tip: file when the change occurs so the court can address future payments. Bring fresh proof of income, expenses, and any medical or employment records. For court paths and forms, start with Greensboro Modification and Enforcement.

Termination events

• Death of either spouse
• Remarriage of the recipient
• Cohabitation as defined by North Carolina law. This means a romantic, continuous relationship with shared life patterns, not a roommate. Courts look at overnights, shared bills, and other day-to-day signs.

If you believe a termination event has occurred, we can file the motion and set a hearing to update the order.

Attorney’s fees

A dependent spouse can seek attorney’s fees in PSS or alimony in the court’s discretion. Judges look at need, ability to pay, and the stage of the case. We prepare a short fee affidavit and billing summary that matches local practice.

Your first 72 hours with our team

Local courts and calendars

Most support cases in this area are heard in Guilford County District Court with courtrooms in Greensboro and High Point. Calendars fill quickly. Many cases settle by consent before a hearing once both sides exchange budgets and income proof. When trial is needed, we present a tight record: earnings, earning capacity, standard of living, and the listed factors.

Evidence checklist

• Last 3 months of pay stubs, plus most recent W-2 or 1099
• Last 2 years of tax returns, if available
• Bank or card statements for budget categories
• Health or therapy records that affect work hours
• Childcare schedules and costs
• Any messages, photos, or financial records tied to a misconduct claim
• Prior orders or agreements, including any temporary support

FAQs

Why Greensboro clients choose Culbertson & Associates

• 20+ years in North Carolina support cases
• Regular practice in Guilford County District Court
• Budgets that match bank records and pay history
• Settlement first when it makes sense, trial when required
• Clear fees and steady timelines

Ready to talk. Call 336-272-4299 or contact us.