Stacy Doss of California adopted her daughter Vanessa before she was even born.  Doss adopted Vanessa from a single pregnant woman in Dayton, Ohio who said she didn't know the baby's father.  In fact, the father was a part of the woman's life and even fathered two of her four children.

DNA tests prove that Benjamin Mills Jr. is Vanessa's father and now, he is trying to claim custody of the two-year old.  Mills has a record of domestic violence and drug possession, which Doss hoped would serve in her favor.  However, after a long battle, judges agreed to give custody of Vanessa to her birth father in Ohio.  Doss stated plans to appeal the courts decision.  

If you or someone you know are facing a child custody dispute, contact the Raleigh child custody lawyers of Marshall & Taylor, P.C. at 919-833-1040 to learn more about your rights. 

A divorced couple in Maryland were granted split custody of their beloved 16-pound gray-black Lhasa Apso.  A sympathetic Judge Graydon S. McKee III recognized during divorce proceedings that they were both responsible and loving pet owners, and so agreed to allow them to split custody of the dog into two six month periods a year.  

McKee stated, "It was very clear that both of them love this dog equally ... The only fair thing to do was to give each one an equal chance to share the love of the dog".  McKee also said that he does own dogs, but his love for dogs did not factor into his decision.  "I really applied good common sense ... Treat other people the way you would want to be treated if you were in that situation".

Under Maryland law, pets are considered jointly owned property and are to be sold if the owner's split up and cannot agree on who should keep them.  The proceeds from the sale are then split between the owners.  

If you or someone you know is considering filing for divorce, contact the Raleigh divorce lawyers of Marshall & Taylor P.C. at 919-833-1040 to learn more about your rights. 

Actor Charlie Sheen has surrendered legal custody of his two children to his ex-wife Denise Richards.

The star of 'Two and A Half Men' has been locked in a bitter custody battle with his actress ex-wife since divorcing in 2006. Richards has been seeking full custody of the couple's two children, six year-old Sam and four year-old Lola Rose. 

According to documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, both Sheen and Richards have agreed to give full legal custody of the two children to Denise Richards. Richards claims she began seeking full custody following Sheen's highly-publicised marital problems with his current wife Brooke Mueller.

The Raleigh child custody attorneys of the Marshall & Taylor Law Firm, P.C., understand how important parental rights are to you. We will work hard to keep you fully informed about your rights and obligations, and present the best legal case we can build for you in court. To learn about our approach to family law, contact our offices at 919-833-1040.

Actress Sandra Bullock announced this past week that she has recently adopted a baby, while news surfaced that she has also filed for divorce.

Ms. Bullock filed for divorce from husband Jesse James last Friday in Austin, according to media reports. The couple has been married since 2005 and started the adoption process together four years ago, but separated after rumors surfaced in December of Mr. James's infidelity. The adoption went forward as planned, but with Ms. Bullock listed as the sole legal parent rather than sharing joint custody. She has adopted a baby boy, named Louis.

Divorce involving a child can become highly emotional and complex. In Ms. Bullock's unique situation, however, the adoption was settled prior to the divorce with Ms. Bullock as the sole caregiver, so child custody is not likely to be an issue in her divorce.

If you are considering or anticpating divorce, it is important to speak with an experienced family lawyer as soon as possible. Divorcing with children may involve issues of child custody, child support, alimony, and other related issues. A divorce attorney can help to ensure that your rights and interests remain protected throughout your proceeding.

For sound legal advice and assistance with your divorce case, don't hesitate to contact the Raleigh family law and divorce attorneys of Marshall & Taylor Law Firm, P.C., today at 919-833-1040.

Acrtess Tia Carrere has filed for divorce from her husband Simon Wakelin.

The 43 year-old actress, best known as Mike Meyer's love interest in the "Wayne's World" movies, filed the divorce petition in person at the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse on Friday. According to court documents, Carrere cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. This is Carrere's second divorce, she was previously married to "Battlefield Earth" producer Elie Samaha from 1992 to 2000.

Carrere has a four-year-old daughter with Wakelin, named Bianca. The actress is seeking sole physical custody of the child, according to court filings. Carrere and Wakelin were married in November of 2002.

If you or someone you know is considering divorce, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney who you can trust. Please contact the Raleigh divorce lawyers of Marshal & Taylor, P.C., by calling 919-833-1040.

Legendary actor Dennis Hopper is claiming in divorce filings that his battle with prostate cancer has left him broke.

According to court papers filed Monday, the "Easy Rider" star is claiming that he is too ill to work and can only afford to pay his estranged wife, Victoria Duffy-Hopper, $5,000 in spousal support. A statement made by one of Hopper's doctors said in a deposition that "it is doubtful that Mr. Hopper will ever recover sufficiently to be subject to a deposition."

Hopper earned $57,000 in 2009 from residuals, and is expected to earn around that amount this year. According to court documents, Hopper's accountant listed the actor's liquid assets at $300,280 plus an additional $10,900 in Hopper's corporations. 

Hopper claims in the court filing that he has been living off a $450,000 line of credit,  with "no further borrowing possible."

If you or someone you know is considering divorce, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney who you can trust. Please contact the Raleigh divorce lawyers of Marshal & Taylor, P.C., by calling 919-833-1040.

Country singer Sara Evans has been granted a temporary injunction against her ex-husband.

In a ruling Monday, a judge barred Evans' ex-husband, Craig Schelske, from making any public statments about his wife or the reasons behind their 2007 divorce. Evans petitioned for, and was granted, a temporary restrainging order last month against her estranged husband. Schelske made comments about his divorce from Evans while testifying in front of the Tennessee Legislature about a proposed child custody bill, in a hearing that was broadcast live on Nashville radio last month.

Williamson County Judge James G. Martin III, in addtion to the injunction, ordered Schelske to pay damages to Evans, which will be determined by an arbitrator. The couple divorced in 2007 and the accord reached between the further spouses includes a confidentiality agreement.

If you or someone you know is considering divorce, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney you can trust. Please contact the Raleigh divorce lawyers of Marshal & Taylor, P.C., by calling 919-833-104