A divorce decree is a legal document signed by the judge that officially terminates the marriage. The divorce decree typically includes the judge’s ruling on all matters related to the marriage and any minor children—including division of marital or community property, payment of marital or community debts, spousal support, child custody, child visitation, child support, any obligation to provide health insurance for minor children, and the payment of extracurricular expenses for minor children.

These determinations or rulings set forth in the divorce decree become legally enforceable obligations when the judge signs the divorce decree—and may be enforced by further legal action in the court if one or both of the former spouses fail to comply with the terms of the divorce decree.

In North Carolina, a divorce decree is the final court order that legally ends a marriage. It is signed by a judge and outlines all the terms of the divorce, including the division of property and debts, alimony (spousal support), and if applicable, child custody, visitation, and support. North Carolina is an equitable distribution state, meaning that marital property is divided in a manner that is equitable, or fair, which may not always be equal. Child custody and support are determined based on the best interests of the child. Once the judge signs the divorce decree, the terms are legally binding and enforceable. If either party fails to comply with the terms of the decree, the other party can take legal action to enforce it, which may include filing a motion for contempt of court. It's important to note that in North Carolina, spouses must live separately for at least one year before filing for divorce, and either spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least six months prior to filing.