Helping spouse during separation time

My former spouse and I obtained a simple divorce in April of 2016. We separated in April of 2014. This was an amicable arrangement. We had no children together and no property.

During the separation we were friendly and she was trying to get on her feet with a bad credit history. I allowed her to put her name on my lease for an apartment in December of 2015 so that she could build some credit history. We never stayed there together, and never resumed the marital relationship, but her name was on the lease for a period of a couple of months. We used the 2014 date as separation in NC.

Was this an invalid separation date? If so, what should I do?
This has been weighing on me.
Thank you for any help you can provide

Based only on the information you provided, April 2014 was the date of separation.

Your name being on a lease, if you did not actually reside there, has no bearing on the date of separation.

The date of separation occurs when: (1) one spouse moves out and the spouses begin residing in separate residences, and (2) they separated with the intent of at least one spouse to remain permanently separate and apart.


Anna Ayscue

Attorney with Rosen Law Firm Cary • Chapel Hill • Durham • Raleigh • Wake Forest

Rosen Online | Unlimited confidential access to a North Carolina attorney for $199/mo - click here

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