Breaking News: Complex Family Financial Court Established in NC for High Net Worth Cases

The 2026 Appropriations Act was recently passed in North Carolina and the changes implemented within it mark a huge shift in how high asset divorces are handled. Article 6 of the act outlines the creation of the Complex Family Financial Court Judgeship position. This created three new roles, including a chief judge, that specialize in handling complicated financial matters.

Marcia Armstrong was recently appointed to fill the Chief Complex Family Financial Court Judge, and two other judges will be appointed to work alongside her as well. While they are superior court judges, these cases will appear before them in district court.

Filing to be heard in front of this court can happen in one of two ways. The individual party can file to be heard themselves or the family court judge or chief district court judge can request that their case be sent to the specialized court.

This court will be extremely helpful in cases where the division of assets is not very straightforward. Cases that involve complicated financial situations such as the involvement of businesses, significant assets, or substantial investments will be heard in this court. By introducing this court, the state of North Carolina is recognizing that not all cases can be handled the same and some of them require special consideration.

Now, what cases will actually be heard under this new act? Cases that involve, “equitable distribution, alimony, postseparation support, child support, or any combination of such claims” (Denning, 2026) can be heard in this new court. These situations can be difficult to deal with when spouses’ interests and assets are significantly intertwined. A lot of these cases require more time and expertise to fully understand them in order to value assets and divide them accordingly.

The Complex Family Financial Court opens a new path for families facing complicated financial issues during divorce. Specialized judges may help these cases move forward with greater focus and efficiency, reducing unnecessary stress in an already difficult process. This aligns closely with Michael & Russells’s mission to foster a collaborative divorce culture. Every family deserves to understand its options before deciding how to proceed. Even when a divorce involves businesses, significant assets, or complex financial matters, sophisticated financial analysis does not necessarily require a courtroom battle. When appropriate, working together toward a settlement can give families greater control over the process and create a stronger foundation for the future.

Written by Julia Rizzuti

https://civil.sog.unc.edu/2026/08/10/2026-appropriations-act-creates-a-new-type-of-special-superior-court-judge-the-complex-family-financial-court-judge/

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