[Overpaid Slacker]

Not being admitted in NC, it's a bad idea for me to give legal advice; however, most of what an atty. will tell you right now seems "commonsense" -- and along Ronin's line of thinking.

In addition, I'm not (and never wanted to be) a matrimonial/divorce/child issues lawyer. So there are definitely going to be nuances to how you need to handle aspects of a separation/divorce in NC.

However, cut your potential open liabilities. Shut off credit cards, shut off credit lines, ask your bank what can be done about moving $ to an account your wife can't touch (this is unlikely b/c you will probably be deemed to have joint ownership of liquid assets, so she has an equal undivided interest in the funds -- but it can't hurt to ask) shut off phones. To the extent possible, put potential creditors on notice (in writing) that you will no longer be responsible for debts incurred by the Mrs and they assume her as a credit risk w/o you as a co-debtor or guarantor.

Tell whomever holds your mortgage that there are to be no credit lines issued against your property, under any circumstances, without your express written permission.

Think of all your possible exposures where she could screw you (gas cards, dept. store cards, calling cards, open lines of credit at your pharmacist, grocer, etc.) and shut them down -- in writing. Even if she is "stealing" from you, the odds of your being able to recover those funds is microscopic. And if NC is anything like NY, her bad faith will have little to no impact on your perpetual obligations to provide for her in the future. Fun, eh?

Good luck.

JP