NEWS RELEASE
Divorces Rates Drop in North Carolina Over Last Five Years
NC Divorce Attorney: State Averages 2,500 Divorces per Month
Divorce rates in the United States have been declining over the past five years.* And, during that time, there has also been a dip in the number of couples filing for divorce in North Carolina, according to the State’s Center for Health Statistics.**
“The number of divorces in the state over the past five years has dropped from approximately 36,000 to 30,000,” according to Charlotte divorce attorney, Eric Trosch. “The average number of divorces in the state each month is steady at about 2,500.”
Eric Trosch and his brother Bill are both attorneys in Charlotte. They are authors of the new book, Divorce in North Carolina—The Legal Process, Your Rights, and What to Expect (Addicus Books, January 2017). Bill Trosch says, “We hope the book will eliminate some of the mystery and fear about the divorce process so that people make the right decisions for themselves and their families. Many people are bombarded with advice from well-meaning friends and relatives, but unfortunately, the information is not always accurate.”
The Trosches have represented hundreds of individuals getting divorced. Is there one particular thing about divorce that most people don’t realize about the divorce process? “Yes. People often become emotional during the divorce process, and these emotions—be it sadness or anger—can cloud one’s judgment. During a divorce, a person is making critical decisions that will affect them and their family for years to come. It’s helpful if emotions are not clouding the decision-making process,” according to Bill Trosch.
*National Divorce Rate: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/marriage_divorce_tables.htm
**North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics: http://www.schs.state.nc.us/data/vital.cfm#vitalfacts
Statistics are from 2015, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
Authors Available for Interviews
Attorneys Bill and Eric Trosch, Charlotte, are available for media interviews. They may be reached by contacting Jennifer Arnold by email: jarnold@ctklawyers.com or by phone: (704) 553-8221.
Copies of the book (paperback or PDF) are available by emailing the publisher at info@AddicusBooks.com. For more information about the book, visit the Addicus Books book catalog at www.AddicusBooks.com
Ten Tips for Getting a Divorce in North Carolina
by North Carolina Attorneys Bill Trosch & Eric Trosch
- Choose your lawyer carefully. Some lawyers will be better fit for you than others. Your attorney is a major factor in determining the tone and pace of your divorce. Do your research, speak to friends and family members, and consider hiring a family law specialist.
- Identify your goals and priorities clearly with your lawyer.
- Prepare for your divorce: organize your financial papers, run a credit check on yourself, research housing, and meet with a lawyer before ,moving ahead with separating from your spouse. Your attorney will be a vital part of your planning process and should advise you on exactly how to proceed.
- Do not sign anything or move out of the shared home without speaking to a lawyer: You could give up crucial rights and property if you sign documents or move without first consulting a lawyer.
- Don’t hesitate to find a therapist if you need help coping emotionally. Divorce may be one of the most emotionally difficult times in your life. A therapist can help you keep your emotions in check and help you discover what goals are most important to you.
- Consider resolving your divorce case out of court with “collaborative law.” This approach commits a couple to resolve their case out of court with dignity, using full disclosure. The driving focus is to help get a reasonable, long-lasting solution for everyone involved.
- Remember, divorce is a marathon, not a sprint. There are many steps in the divorce process and you do not want to win the first battle but lose the war. Take time to build your case in the right way.
- Keep the children from being caught in the middle. Never speak ill of the other parent in front of your children and don’t use them as confidants or messengers. Remember, you and your spouse will still both be their parents after the divorce.
- Know the divorce process will end. Many individuals find that they begin to heal when they are no longer consumed with the discord of the marriage and separation.
- Be safe. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek an attorney to help you get a protective order which can limit your spouse’s ability to contact you. Ask your attorney to help you develop a safety plan for yourself and your children, family, and friends. Consider contacting a domestic violence organization.
About the Authors
William C. “Bill” Trosch, Esq. (left), heads the litigation department and is the managing partner at Conrad Trosch & Kemmy, P.A., in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since 1993, he has maintained a diverse law practice with an aim toward resolving conflicts. Bill has handled a number of high-profile cases, both locally and nationally. These well-publicized cases ranged from lawsuits against the City of Charlotte to a negotiation with the N.C.A.A., which ultimately led to the successful restoration of the college eligibility of star basketball player, Shabazz Muhammad.
Bill is an honors graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; he holds degrees in economics and mathematics. He also is an honors graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill, where he was a staff member of the North Carolina Law Review. His published work in the Law Review has been cited by many publications and courts, including the Ohio Supreme Court.
Bill also is a highly sought-after educator. He was an associate member of the graduate faculty of the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, and he taught a negotiations class for the M.B.A. program at the Belk College of Business. Bill has taught groups of lawyers and non-lawyers alike on a wide variety of legal topics for local, state, and national organizations.
A Charlotte native and a graduate of West Charlotte High School, Bill is the third generation of attorneys to practice in his family’s law firm. He lives in the Cotswold area of Charlotte with his wife, Lisa, and children, Liam, Kenzie, and Gavin.
Eric C. Trosch, Esq. (right), is certified as a legal specialist in family law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Eric has practiced family law in North Carolina since 2002 and is now a partner at Conrad Trosch & Kemmy, P.A., heading up the Family Law Division. Eric utilizes a common-sense approach to family law and a wide array of tools to obtain the best results for his clients.
Eric received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his law degree from Wake Forest University at Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he was the first recipient of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ Award for the Student Advancement of Matrimonial Law.
After graduating from law school, Eric continued his leadership in the Charlotte community. He recently completed his term as co-chair of the Mecklenburg Collaborative Law Group. He served on the North Carolina Bar Family Law Council, and is also a member of the Domestic Court Committee of the Mecklenburg County Courts and the Local Rules Committee.
Eric has been recognized for his family law practice as one of the Top 100 Family Lawyers in North Carolina by the American Society of Legal Advocates. He was also named one of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in North Carolina under the age of forty by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, and was selected as a “Rising Star in North Carolina” by Super Lawyers. His peers and colleagues have also highly rated his skills; he was endorsed as “Legal Elite” by Business North Carolina and recognized in “People on the Move” by the Charlotte Business Journal.
Eric and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children, Alec and Joseph.
