Know Your Rights: Understanding Child Custody Laws In North Carolina

What’s good baby mommas and daddies?  You may have heard about the custody battle between Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner plastered across the news.  Basically, the couple has lived a bit of a nomadic lifestyle and they're now divorcing. Their small children are caught in the middle at this point.  Seeing this morning was a bit triggering, and reminded me of the distant days when my co-parent and I battled over my son. Thankfully we grew into people who learned that putting the child first is all that really matters. We live in a state that agrees with this sentiment.

I didn't know much about custody laws in North Carolina when I was faced with navigating them. I realize how many people may have the same battles and thought, let's take a quick dive.  It’s important to know your rights as a parent and what options you have. So, let’s educate ourselves on child custody laws in the Tar Heel state.

First things first, signing the birth certificate gives you automatic joint custody in North Carolina. That’s right, fellow baby mommas! If you’re a single mom, and the father signs the birth certificate, congratulations, you both have joint custody. However, joint custody does not necessarily mean equal time with the child. The court still has the final say on the custodial arrangement and will take into account the best interests of the child.

There are two types of child custody in North Carolina: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and spends their time. Legal custody refers to the ability to make important decisions about the child's life, such as education, healthcare, and religion. Both types of custody can be either sole or joint. Sole custody means only one parent has custody, and joint custody means both parents share custody.

In North Carolina, when determining child custody, the court considers the following factors:

It’s important to note that North Carolina courts favor joint custody arrangements, as it is believed to be in the best interest of the child to have a relationship with both parents. However, joint custody is not always feasible or safe, depending on the circumstances of the case.

In conclusion, baby mommas and baby daddies, it’s important to know your rights and options when it comes to child custody. Remember that signing the birth certificate gives you automatic joint custody, but that doesn’t necessarily mean equal time with the child. Understand the different types of custody and the factors courts consider when determining child custody arrangements. Always act in the best interest of your child, and I strongly suggest seeking legal counsel if necessary. Let’s educate ourselves and protect our rights as parents here in NC!

Last weekend, I noticed some low vibrational negativity surrounding one of my personal favs. I was completely not here for the moment in Black History when trolls attempted to diminish Sza's glow-up.

SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, is known for her soulful voice, relatable lyrics, and distinct style. But if there's one thing that we can't ignore about the singer-songwriter, it's her stunning transformation over the years.

SZA has come a long way since her early days in the music industry, and her fans are constantly in awe of her growth and beauty.

One Twitter/X user literally screenshotted his break-up conversation stemming from Sza's glow-up:

SZA is a true queen, and her many glow ups have left her fans speechless. From her fresh face glow up to her musical evolution, she's a force to be reckoned with. Whether she's on the red carpet or posting a no-makeup selfie, SZA always manages to stun us with her beauty and grace. As her career continues to flourish, we can't wait to see what other surprises she has in store for us.

SZA has always been beautiful, but her recent fresh-faced glow up has left us in awe. When she performed on Saturday Night Live, fans couldn't stop talking about how stunning she looked. One Twitter user wrote, "SZA looking fine as hell on SNL. Her skin is glowing, and her voice is angelic. I'm in love."

SZA has always had a unique sense of style, but her red carpet looks have become more and more stunning over the years. When she attended the Met Gala, fans were blown away by her ethereal beauty.

SZA is known for her iconic hair, but her transformations have left us speechless. When she debuted her platinum blonde locs, fans couldn't believe how amazing she looked.

SZA has always been a natural beauty, but her no-makeup, makeup looks have us all trying to copy her routine. When she posted a photo on Instagram with minimal makeup, fans were quick to praise her beauty.

SZA's confidence and self-love have always been an inspiration to her fans. When she posted a photo on Instagram showing off her stretch marks, fans praised her for being real and relatable. One fan tweeted

Finally, we can't forget about SZA's musical evolution. Her growth as an artist has been nothing short of incredible. When she released her debut album, "CTRL," fans were blown away by her vulnerability and honesty. One fan wrote, "SZA's music has gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life. She's a true talent, and I can't wait to see what she does next."