ABC's "Primetime" recently followed an Arizona couple, 50-year old Chris and 52-year old Shari Stewart, through their mediation and divorce process.  While most couples working through a divorce chose to live separately, the Stewarts have been forced to continue living under the same roof due to the nation's economic troubles and housing market downfall.  

The Stewarts live in a 5,000 square foot million-dollar home in Tempe that has dramatically fallen in value over the past few years.  The couple has been married for 18 years and have three children, ages 16, 12, and 11.  The two told their children last August they would be getting a divorce and would stay living together until they sold the house, but they still continue to live together today.

"Primetime" has documented the Stewarts' nine months living together and working with a mediator to try to resolve their problems.  

If you or someone you know is in need of divorce mediation, contact the Raleigh divorce mediation attorneys of Marshall & Taylor P.C. at 919-833-1040 to learn more. 

In a recent interview with People Magazine, Elizabeth Edwards reveals that she and husband John Edwards will not divorce, but will remain separated unless one decides to remarry.  In cases of separation, spouses are not legally permitted to remarry.  In order to remarry a divorce is necessary.

Former presidential candidate and North Carolina governor John Edwards admitted to having an affair with a former campaign videographer after she revealed that he had fathered her child.

In her interview, Elizabeth explains that it was not easy to leave her husband of 32 years after learning of the affair.  Furthermore, she says she found strength in her mother, whose husband was also unfaithful and taught her "how to continue your life on your own terms when somehow it becomes savaged by people you never invited into it".

The two will be selling their $5.5 million mansion in Chapel Hill.

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

Recently, studies are finding that the tactic of hurting someone's beloved pet in order to hurt the owner can be a warning sign of domestic violence.  For example, in 2007 a New Jersey man killed his family dog after his wife asked him for a divorce as a means of effectively hurting her.

Ida Petkus, director of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Center in Mount Holly, New Jersey states, "The bond between pets and their owners can be very strong, which is exactly why an abuser knows they can exploit the victim's love of a pet by threatening to injure the animal if the victim speaks up".

 When one form of abuse is present others forms often are as well.  As such, abuse experts and animal advocates are suggesting that law enforcement officials become more widely trained across areas in order to recognize the signs of possible domestic violence. 

Thomas Keen Jr., a New Jersey senator, argues, "Not only is there a very strong correlation between those that would abuse their pets and those that would abuse others, but in addition, what we have found is the abusers use the pet as an instrument of control over their family members".

 If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence contact the Raleigh domestic violence attorneys of Marshall & Taylor P.C. at 919-833-1040 to learn more about your rights.

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.

A North Carolina woman has won a landmark $9 million lawsuit filed against her husband's mistress, whom she alleged caused alienation of affection.

North Carolina is one of several states in which spouses can sue on grounds of alienation of affections, a charge that allows spouses to seek civil damages from a third party who has been engaged in sexual relations with their husband or wife.  In the recent North Carolina case, a woman saw her 33-year marriage come to an end because her husband had an affair with a coworker.  The "other woman" is planning on appealing the ruling to a higher court.

If you or someone you love is  considering a divorce, the Raleigh divorce attorneys of Marshall & Taylor, P.C., may be able to help.  Contact us today by calling 913-833-1040.

Actor Mel Gibson and his soon-to-be ex-wife are selling their family mansion as their divorce proceedings enter the final stages.

The couple filed for divorce 11 months ago and are now seeking $16 million for their gated Malibu estate. 55 year-old actor and his 54 year-old wife Robyn Moore raised seven children in the mansion. 

Moore filed for divorce last April. Gibson claims they first separated three years earlier. He has since had a daughter with his new girlfriend 40 year-old Russian pianist Oksana Grigorieva.

Gibson and his wife have no prenuptial agreement, which means the actors nearly $1 billon fortune will be divided down the middle.

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 919-833-1040.

The divorce between Dodgers' owners Frank and Jamie McCourt may become the most expensive in the history of California.

According to court documents filed by Frank McCourt, he has estimated his "divorce-related expenses" at $5 million to $10 million. Jamie McCourt has pegged her expenses at $9 million, including attorneys and accountants. A divorce somewhere in the ballpark of $19 million could upset baseball fans, as this means the couple spent more on the split than they did on a starting infield this season.

Lynn Soodik, a Santa Monica family law attorney who deals in expensive divorce said she is "pretty sure there's not been any litigation in a California divorce where they've spent so much on attorneys' fees."

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 919-833-1040.