Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.FindLaw IM Template2026-09-28T07:44:48Zhttps://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1100723/2019/04/cropped-site-identity-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[Can a DWI affect your professional license in North Carolina?]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488462026-09-28T07:44:48Z2026-09-28T07:44:48ZHow a DWI can affect your professional license
A DWI conviction does not always lead to the loss of a professional license. However, a licensing board may review the conviction under the rules for your profession.
North Carolina law allows boards to consider the nature of an offense, the facts of the case and its link to your job. A board may review your license, set limits or take other action.
Which professionals may face disciplinary action?
Different professions have different reporting requirements and licensing rules.
Nurses: The North Carolina Board of Nursing requires nurses to report a DWI or DUI arrest within 30 days. The board may review the circumstances and determine whether further action is necessary.
Teachers: A DWI conviction may affect a teacher's license or employment, depending on the circumstances and applicable education rules.
Healthcare professionals: Licensing boards may review a DWI conviction to determine whether it raises concerns about professional conduct or public safety.
Commercial drivers face separate rules. A DWI can affect commercial driving privileges and commercial driver's license eligibility under state and federal law.
What happens during a licensing review?
A licensing board may examine the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding the incident and any prior disciplinary history. Some boards require professionals to report arrests or convictions.
Depending on the applicable rules, a board may request records, seek an explanation or impose conditions on a license. The outcome depends on the profession and the facts of the case.
Protecting your professional standing
A DWI can create challenges beyond a driver's license suspension. Professionals should understand their licensing board's reporting requirements and review how a conviction may affect their work. Knowing the rules can help them make informed decisions about their careers.]]>On Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[What assets must be disclosed in a North Carolina divorce?]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488422026-09-21T02:02:32Z2026-09-21T02:02:32ZProperty categories subject to disclosure
Each spouse first gathers their financial records. They then share these records through discovery or a sworn financial statement. Both spouses must report the following:
Real estate: Primary homes, land, vacation homes and rental properties, whether owned jointly or alone.
Bank accounts: Checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit and other cash holdings.
Retirement accounts: 401(k) plans, pensions, IRAs and military benefits earned before and during the marriage.
Business interests: Ownership shares in a business, partnership interests or company stock options. Spouses must provide financial statements, tax returns and corporate records. Business value can include future income and intangible assets, such as goodwill. Because of this, a certified appraiser or forensic accountant is typically needed to calculate the business's fair market value.
Personal property: High value items like vehicles, boats, artwork, jewelry and tools.
Digital and financial assets: Cryptocurrency and stock options.
In addition to these assets, spouses must disclose all debts. This includes credit lines and personal loans, which count just as much in the final split.
Working through property division
North Carolina courts consider several factors when dividing marital property. These include the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and their contributions to the property. The process can become more complex when a business or retirement account is involved.
A North Carolina family law attorney can help spouses understand the disclosure rules and avoid costly mistakes. Legal guidance can also help spouses protect their interests as they work toward a final settlement.]]>by Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[Can a convicted felon ever legally possess a firearm again?]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488402026-08-28T12:03:52Z2026-08-28T12:03:52ZWhat are the main ways to restore firearm rights after a felony?
A felony conviction can limit firearm rights for years. Some legal options may restore those rights. The best option depends on the conviction, criminal record and any remaining restrictions. The main options may include:
Court-ordered restoration: A person with one qualifying nonviolent felony may petition the court to restore firearm rights. North Carolina law sets a 20-year waiting period from the completion of the sentence and requires other conditions to be met.
Expunction: Some felony convictions may qualify for expunction. If granted, an expunction can remove the conviction from the record and end related state firearm restrictions.
Pardon or other relief: A pardon or restoration of civil rights may restore firearm rights. The result depends on the terms of the relief and any other restrictions.
Constitutional relief: In limited cases, a civil action may provide another path when standard restoration options do not apply. Success is not guaranteed.
Illegal firearm possession can lead to serious criminal charges. All firearm restrictions should be confirmed before possessing a firearm.
Key barriers to firearm rights restoration
Several factors can prevent a person with a felony conviction from restoring firearm rights in North Carolina.
Common barriers include:
Multiple convictions: More than one felony or certain violent misdemeanors may block restoration.
Pending felony case: An unresolved felony charge at the time of application may prevent eligibility.
Fugitive status: Outstanding warrants or certain pending proceedings may block restoration.
Protective orders: An active protective order or no-contact order may prevent restoration.
Drug use: Evidence of unlawful drug use or addiction may block restoration.
Federal restrictions: State relief may not remove a federal firearm ban. Federal eligibility must be reviewed separately.
Incomplete requirements: Failing to meet residency, civil rights restoration, background check or other eligibility requirements may cause a petition to be denied.
A single issue, such as a pending charge, active protective order or federal restriction, can block restoration. A full review of the criminal record and current legal status is essential before seeking to restore firearm rights.
How to determine whether restoration is available to you
North Carolina law may let some people regain firearm rights after a felony. However, state relief may not end federal firearm restrictions. A North Carolina attorney can review the conviction, sentence and criminal record to determine whether a legal remedy is available and what steps may apply.]]>On Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[Helping your child cope with your divorce in North Carolina]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488342026-08-18T13:34:11Z2026-08-21T13:32:32ZPrioritize open and honest communication
Give your child simple, age-appropriate information about the changes in your family. You might explain that you and your former spouse will live apart, but you both still love your child. Do not share private adult issues. Also avoid speaking badly about the other parent.
Let your child ask questions. Give them time to share their feelings. Some children may not talk about their emotions right away. Watch for changes in behavior, schoolwork or friendships. These changes may show that your child needs more support.
Maintain stability and routine
Divorce can change many parts of a child’s life. A steady routine can help your child feel safe. When possible, keep regular mealtimes, bedtimes, school activities and other familiar routines.
You can also work with your former spouse on a parenting plan. The goal can be to keep your child’s daily life as steady as possible. North Carolina courts consider the child’s best interests when deciding custody. A plan that limits major changes may help your child adjust.
Support their relationship with both parents
Unless safety concerns make contact unsafe, support your child’s relationship with the other parent. Do not ask your child to carry messages or take sides. You might also be flexible when a reasonable change to the parenting schedule helps your child.
Remind your child that the divorce is not their fault. Let them know that it is OK to love both parents. Your child should not feel responsible for adult disagreements. They also should not feel that loving one parent means rejecting the other.
Protecting your child after divorce
Helping your child through divorce takes patience and care. Keep communication open. Protect familiar routines. Do not place your child in the middle of conflict. Pay attention to how your child responds to the changes.
If your child continues to struggle, you may want to consider seeking support from a qualified mental health professional or another trusted resource. Every child responds to divorce in a different way. By keeping your child’s needs at the center of your decisions, you can give them a stronger sense of security as your family adjusts.
]]>On Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[Can dating during separation affect alimony?]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488372026-08-21T12:46:44Z2026-08-21T12:44:22ZCheating before separation
Under North Carolina law, marital misconduct can affect alimony. In some cases, adultery may bar an alimony award or support a request for alimony, depending on which spouse committed the misconduct and the facts of the case:
If the lower-earning spouse committed adultery, that may affect whether alimony is available
If the higher-earning spouse cheated, the court may order them to pay alimony
Dating after separation is legal, but judges can use a new relationship as indirect proof that an affair started before you separated. Post-separation dating may become evidence in an alimony dispute, depending on the facts.
Cohabitation may affect alimony
If a spouse receiving alimony begins cohabiting with a new partner, that may be grounds to terminate alimony under North Carolina law. Whether support ends depends on the facts and any court order in place.
Spending shared money on dates
Using joint bank accounts or credit cards to pay for dates, gifts or trips for a new partner counts as misusing shared money. When splitting property, the court can force you to pay that money back or lower your alimony.
Claims involving a new partner
North Carolina recognizes certain claims involving a third party, including alienation of affections and criminal conversation. In some situations, dating before a divorce is final may create legal risk for a new partner.
Taking the right steps
Because dating can affect divorce and alimony issues in North Carolina, it is wise to understand the possible legal consequences before starting a new relationship. Speak with a local family law attorney before starting a new relationship to keep your money and legal claims protect your finances and legal interests.]]>On Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[2 crucial rights you have after an arrest]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488312026-08-01T21:58:19Z2026-08-01T21:58:19ZMiranda rights. It is very important to keep these in mind and understand how they affect your options moving forward.
The right to remain silent
First, the police can use anything that you say against you, so you are not obligated to answer their questions. You do have a right to remain silent. They cannot force you to answer or incriminate yourself.
Often, the best option is simply to politely inform the police that you want to use your right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Doing so does not indicate that you are guilty, but simply that you do not want to answer questions at that time.
The right to an attorney
Next, you have a right to an attorney. You should be told that the state will appoint one for you if you cannot afford one. Everyone has the right to legal counsel when facing criminal charges.
This is also important when it comes to answering questions. Many people will eventually talk to the police, but they only want to do so when their lawyer is present to protect them. Police may try to conduct a quick interrogation right after the arrest, but you do have a right to remain silent and wait for your attorney to join you.
The police must respect your rights, even if they believe you are guilty of a crime. Be sure you know exactly what rights and criminal defense options you have.]]>On Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[3 key factors to consider when creating a child custody schedule]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488292026-07-24T02:01:36Z2026-07-24T02:01:36Z primary factors to consider when creating a custody schedule
Your child’s age
Infants and toddlers require constant contact with both parents. A custody schedule with frequent, shorter visits, such as a 2-2-3 schedule, often works best for them.
School-age children typically benefit from a schedule with fewer transitions to support school routines, but also one that allows them to spend more time with both parents -- for example, a 2-2-5-5 or alternating weeks. Teens generally need a flexible schedule to accommodate their independence, social life, extracurricular activities and job, such as alternating weeks.
Your child’s needs should also be considered. How do they respond to change, regardless of age? Do they have special needs? What is their daily schedule?
Your work schedules
You and your co-parent need to develop a parenting plan that aligns with your work schedules. Doing this can save you from constant last-minute rescheduling and heavily relying on third-party childcare. Accordingly, you can better spend quality time with your child and maintain peaceful co-parenting.
Physical distance between the two homes
The physical distance between the two homes and the distance between the homes and the child's school are crucial. A custody schedule that requires your child to travel for more than an hour to the other home or to school every few days can be stressful.
Creating a child custody schedule should be approached from the right angle. Get more information to choose a schedule that protects your child.]]>On Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[What are standardized field sobriety tests?]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488272026-07-09T02:06:31Z2026-07-09T02:06:31ZThe police can stop a vehicle if they believe the driver is inebriated. During that traffic stop, the police may try to collect evidence to support their belief (and justify an arrest)by asking the driver to perform standardized field sobriety tests.Standardized field sobriety tests require drivers to move in a way that is designed to demonstrate whether they are intoxicated or not. Here are three common types of standardized field sobriety tests:
1. Horizontal gaze nystagmus test
The horizontal gaze nystagmus test requires the driver to stand still while facing forward. The police will hold up a finger, pen, light or other object in front of the driver’s face. The driver will be asked to keep their eye on the object while the police move it from side to side. The driver may be drunk if their eyes twitch uncontrollably.
2. Walk-and-turn test
The driver may be asked to perform a walk-and-turn test. The walk-and-turn test requires a driver to walk in a straight line. After a few paces forward, the driver will be asked to turn around and walk back to where they started. If the driver struggles to walk on a straight line or keep their balance, they may appear inebriated.
3. One-legged stand test
The police may ask the driver to stand up and lift one leg off the ground. The driver will have to hold their leg up for several seconds. If the driver puts their foot down too soon, falls over or can not follow instructions, they may be charged with drunk driving.Standardized field sobriety tests are not always accurate. In fact, their accuracy can vary greatly depending upon the circumstances and the skill of the tester. Drivers may fail standardized field sobriety tests because of medical problems, anxiety over the situation or even just age. If you are facing a drunk driving charge after performing a standardized field sobriety test, you may want to reach out for legal guidance for help.]]>On Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[Before you sign: Avoid these three parenting plan mistakes]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488242026-06-25T19:41:00Z2026-06-25T19:41:00Z well-crafted parenting plan can reduce conflict, protect children from adult disputes and create predictable routines across two households. The following tips will help you avoid common mistakes that undermine its effectiveness.
Mistake 1:Vagueness
Many plans rely on broad language such as “reasonable visitation” or “as agreed.” That can work for a short time, but it often fails when work schedules change, new partners enter the picture or communication breaks down. Specificity is not about control. It is about reducing ambiguity. Potential gaps to address can include:
Exchange times and locations, including who transports and what happens if a parent is late
Holiday and school break schedules, including start and end times and how conflicts are resolved
Right of first refusal, make-up time and how to request schedule changes
If you address these items in plain language, you create a roadmap that is easier to follow and easier to enforce if needed.
Mistake 2: Failing to plan for communication during disputes
To reduce conflict, include a preferred method for routine communication and a separate method for emergencies. For some, it can help to outline response time expectations. A step-by-step plan to resolve disputes is also advantageous and could include discussion, mediation then court as a last resort. When the plan includes a clear process, parents spend less time arguing about how to resolve the issue.
Mistake 3: Forgetting that the child’s needs will change
Children grow – and so should the plan. A parenting plan should anticipate changes such as school transitions, driving age and shifting extracurricular demands. Add review points, such as annually or at the start of each school year, and clarify how to document modifications.Parenting plans are often successful when detailed, practical and written with the child’s daily life in mind. By avoiding vague language, clarifying decision-making, setting communication rules and planning for change, you can create an agreement that supports stability now and flexibility later.]]>On Behalf of Dickerson Law Firm, P.A.<![CDATA[3 times the state can bring DWI charges]]>https://www.dickerson-law-firm.com/?p=488222026-06-24T09:21:49Z2026-06-24T09:21:49ZDriving while impaired (DWI) charges are relatively common. People may face DWI allegations after a traffic stop or a collision. Depending on the circumstances, penalties can range from fines and driver's license suspension to jail time.
There are multiple different situations in which the state can allege that a driver committed a DWI offense. The three scenarios below account for the vast majority of DWI cases.
1. When alcohol affects traffic safety
Drivers may face DWI charges because there is video footage of them driving poorly. People may call to report concerns about an intoxicated driver if they notice someone swerving or driving erratically.Police officers can also document impaired driving by following people with their dashcams running. Involvement in a crash can also lead to questions about a driver's capabilities and whether intoxication contributed to the wreck.
2. When drivers have high blood alcohol levels
Some people consume alcohol regularly enough that they don't appear intoxicated after drinking. They may drive in a relatively normal and predictable fashion. However, if they fail a chemical test, the state can bring charges based solely on their elevated blood alcohol concentration (BAC). For most adults, test results showing aBAC of 0.08% or higher could be the only evidence the state needs to bring DWI charges.
3. When driving after using drugs
There are prohibited drugs that are illegal for anyone to use or possess. There are also hundreds of prescription drugs that people can only use while under the care of a physician. Even legal prescription medication can warrant a DWI charge. Any substance that can affect driving capability could lead to a DWI charge against a motorist.The basis for DWI charges influences the best defense strategy. Reviewing the state's evidence with a lawyer can helpDWI defendants explore their options before they go to court.]]>