This book is a comprehensive legal reference created for North Carolina district court judges. The 2024 edition provides summaries of North Carolina law governing family law cases routinely heard in district court, with statutory and case law updated through October 15, 2024. Because of its large size, the print edition is published in two bound parts: Part A (876 pages) and Part B (798 pages). It is divided by topic into twelve chapters:

Part A (chapters 1–4)

1. Spousal Agreements
2. Postseparation Support and Alimony
3. Child Support
4. Child Custody

Part B (chapters 5–12)

1. Divorce and Annulment
2. Equitable Distribution
3. Domestic Violence
4. Adoption
5. Judicial Waiver of Parental Consent Requirement for a Minor’s Abortion
6. Paternity
7. Civil No-Contact Orders
8. Contempt of Court

This publication updates the 2021 edition of the North Carolina Trial Judges’ Bench Book, District Court, Volume 1, Family Law and replaces Volume 2. Beginning with this 2024 edition, there is only one volume, printed in two bound parts.

Information about purchasing the book is available here: https://www.sog.unc.edu/publications/books/north-carolina-trial-judges%E2%80%99-bench-book-district-court-family-law-2024-edition

The book is available online to all North Carolina judges for no charge. For information about online access for judges, contact Cheryl Howell at howell@sog.unc.edu.