Top Child Custody Lawyers Near Me in Charlotte Area

Some of the biggest wins happen outside of the courtroom. I’m a firm believer in negotiation and compromise. Many cases can be resolved without lengthy and contentious litigation. But not always. Whether your matter can be resolved amicably or requires lengthy courtroom time, I will be right by your side fighting for you all the way.. I went to law school because I love helping people. I attended Campbell University School of Law and after graduation I volunteered with Legal Aid helping domestic violence victims get orders of protection. I started my legal career practicing family law in a small firm. I was an Assistant Public Defender for over five years where I represented people who were charged with crimes. You could say I’m more than comfortable in a courtroom. I spent a few years in Corporate America, but my real passion is helping people and helping families, which is what brought me back to family law.. To me, there is nothing more important than family. Your family is unique and special, but if you have come to see me something has gone wrong and your family is likely in crisis. Your story deserves individualized attention. I will listen to you with compassion and help you understand what your choices are. Together we will figure out what a win means to you.. EDUCATION. MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

Selected as an Expertise 2022 Best Child Support Lawyer in Charlotte, Melissa Clark-Ford is a Family Law Attorney with over 13 years experience helping her clients reach their legal goals in custody, child support and divorce matters. She studied business and finance at the prestigious University of Hong Kong and holds a law degree with Deans Honors from Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana. Although she is most at home in the courtroom, Melissa enjoys spending time helping others in her community through volunteering. In 2010, she was recognized by the National Association for Professional Women for excellence. She also received six consecutive Pro Bono service awards for her dedication to helping those in need with legal services.

Over 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney in the State of North Carolina, handling matters, including but not limited to criminal misdemeanors and felonies, traffic offenses, divorce, child custody, support and visitation, post-separation support, alimony, property distribution, domestic violence and wills. I have successfully handled cases in over 35 counties in the State of North Carolina and my experience is matched by the attentiveness and level of importance that I attach to all of my client's matters.  Let my firm make your case a priority! Call today:

Originally from the Midwest, I came south to escape the cold and to pursue my life's path of helping others. Helping those around me recognize, claim, and use their voice - that is what I have spent my adult life doing - first as a counselor, and now as an attorney.. For years, I saw how the law seemed out of reach and completely foreign to many in our communities. I am here to make the law approachable, useful, and to ensure my client's voice is always heard.. "Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth." - Shirley Chisholm

Ms. Smith focuses her practice on family law including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, and other family law matters. Since 2007, she has been practicing family and domestic law exclusively in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. In 2011, Ms. Smith completed an eight-day trial school program through the American Bar Association Family Law Section.  Since 2013, Tonya has remained a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law.  In 2015, she completed a two-day training for Collaborative Law Practice and is a member of the Charlotte Collaborative Divorce Professionals.. Ms. Smith believes families are the most important part of an individual’s life. Family relationships - good or bad, easy or difficult - help to shape one’s life and the lives of the other very important people that surround him/her. Ms. Smith believes her clients have a right and duty to protect and provide for their family. In order to protect the family and make children the number one priority, one must first have control over family finances and be able to provide for himself/herself.. The decisions clients face in family law situations regarding family and finances are of upmost importance and should not be made without competent guidance from an attorney after reviewing the personal circumstances from all angles. Ms. Smith strives to have the highest quality working relationship with her clients so that her client are informed, educated, and confident in their decisions on how to address their family law matters.. Ms. Smith's role as an attorney is to help her clients navigate through litigation or settlement proceedings strategically and efficiently. When presenting a client’s case she ensures her client’s goals are highly emphasized throughout the process. To achieve the best possible outcome, Ms. Smith believes she and her clients must work together to be creative, employ logical solutions, and use all the tools available through the settlement or litigation proceedings.. Ms. Smith grew up in East Tennessee outside of Knoxville. She attended West Virginia University where she earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science and graduated from the Honors College. After college, she spent a year working as a consultant for Delta Gamma Fraternity which had her work all over the United States and in Canada. Ms. Smith then attended law school at Texas Tech University School of Law where she was selected in her third year of law school to participate in the Civil Legal Assistance Clinic where she was the lead attorney on a variety of civil cases including many family law matters.. Upon graduation from Texas Tech Law and passing the North Carolina Bar Exam, Ms. Smith relocated to Charlotte and began her practice of law. She focused her practice on family law and domestic matters first with Hatcher Law Group, P.C. She then opened the Charlotte office of the national family law firm Cordell Law, LLP. Ms. Smith now brings her unique skills and compassion for her clients through her years of experience. She finds her work and relationships with clients most rewarding as she is able to help clients achieve their goals, protect their families, and allow them to financially provide for their families and themselves.

Mr. McCleary joined Dozier Miller Law Group after spending five years at a firm serving the Piedmont and Triad areas in North Carolina. He currently practices in Dozier Miller's  family law department, focusing his practice on issues surrounding divorce, separation, and child custody. Prior to being admitted to the North Carolina Bar, David spent two years in Duquesne University School of Law Federal Civil Litigation Clinic and Bill of Rights Clinics. He was also selected for a public interest fellowship with the Allegheny County Solicitor’s Office and Family Law Court. Mr. McCleary has experience in both Federal and State Courts.. Mr. McCleary graduated with honors with a B.A. in History and a B.A. in Political Science from The University of Pittsburgh. He attended law school at Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh, PA. While attending Duquesne Law, Mr. McCleary was awarded Outstanding Oral Argument during his first year and Certificates of Distinction in Clinical Work for the Federal Civil Litigation and Bill of Rights Clinics. David is an active member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Family Law Section of the Bar. Mr. McCleary currently serves on the Charlotte Civil Service board after being appointed by Charlotte City Council in 2018. The Civil Service Board evaluates and potentially approves applicants for employment, promotions and demotions recommended by the Chiefs of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and Charlotte Fire Depatments.

Matt Myers is a life-long North Carolinian. He currently lives with his wife, Allison and son, Robert in Charlotte. When not spending quality time with his family, he enjoys music, reading, hiking, mountain biking and running.

It’s time to find the outstanding legal guidance and advocacy you need. Based in Charlotte, NC, Steve DeCillis has approximately 25 years of courtroom experience in family law, business law, and criminal defense. With a background both as a prosecutor and in private practice, Mr. DeCillis has unique insight into the history of North Carolina statutes and courtroom proceedings and has even “made law” in significant cases where no legal precedent existed.. Whether you find yourself at a crossroads in your marriage or about to fight over custody of your child, a business owner with an imminent issue or wanting to prepare for the future, or an individual against whom charges have been brought, Mr. DeCillis understands the foundation of the law regarding your case and will wield his formidable knowledge to provide you the highest level of legal service.. As a proud Tarheel and active member of the business community in Charlotte, Mr. DeCillis is relentless on behalf of his clients and fearless in the face of opposition. He seeks not only to provide excellent legal counsel, he also cultivates essential ties in the city as an active member of Elevation Church, a participant in multiple business networking groups, a peer leader of F3 SOB Land and Area 51, and a formal mentor.

I pursued my undergraduate degree at Ohio State University. I was a resident advisor, a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, and a member of the Women’s Glee Club. While at Ohio State, I was able to sing in various places throughout the United States and had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in three years and used the fourth year to intern at the Ohio State Bar Foundation. At the Bar Foundation, I was able to work on various charitable endeavors throughout the community.. Iattended Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, where she earned a J.D. with an education concentration in children and family law. While at Capital, I worked for the National Center for Adoption Law and Policy, interned with the Durham County Attorney for the Department of Social Services and worked as a hearing officer for Franklin County’s Teen Court Program. I also competed on the school’s Children and Family Moot Court team.. After graduating from Law School, I moved to Charlotte and opened a private practice focusing in indigent criminal defense, juvenile delinquency, and child welfare. Shortly thereafter, I was hired on as the Mental Health Attorney on the Children’s Defense team at the Council for Children’s Rights. While in that role, I represented hundreds of child clients in mental health and delinquency proceedings.. When I  not working, I serve as the chair for the Young Lawyer’s Division of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Wills for Heroes project which drafts estate planning documents for first responders. I have also previously served as the co-chair for the Bar Association’s Project Grace, a project helping elderly, low income people with estate planning documents. I enjoy hiking, running, traveling, spending time at the beach, and throwing tennis balls to my shih tzu, Daisy.

I have been a board-certified family law specialist since 2010. I dedicate my practice to family law matters, such as equitable distribution, child custody, child support, alimony, post-separation support, step-parent and family member adoptions, alienation of affection and criminal conversation cases, and post-judgment practice, including contempt motions appeals.  You can follow the Horack Talley Family Law Practice Group on Facebook at  and instagram at @HTfamilylaw.

I grew up watching several of my own family members navigate the path of divorce and I witnessed how it affected and changed the trajectory of their lives. I believe the family unit is of the utmost importance, so I decided to become a family law attorney to help people get to the other side of divorce with peace and dignity. I practice solely in family law. This means all of my practice is devoted to working with families. I handle all types of family law cases including child custody, child support, divorce, alimony, domestic violence, equitable distribution, separation agreements, and mediation. I'm a problem solver at heart. And I believe that many cases can be settled through the mediation process. I'm also competitive and I won't give up easily. If your case cannot be resolved amicably I'm ready to go to trial for you.

I believe the most important thing an attorney can do for their clients is to educate them so they are empowered to make the decisions that will be most beneficial to them. Family law is an extremely personal field and a relationship between an attorney and client is at the forefront of solving the issues that will arise. I have been practicing family law almost exclusively for six years and have had the opportunity to help hundreds of clients with issues ranging from custody, child support, divorce, alimony, equitable distribution, and other issues that come along with all of these claims.. I am a firm believer in attempting to resolve issues through alternative dispute resolutions (out of court), but also preparing for litigation contemporaneously. As your family law attorney, I will get to know your case on a ground level so your matter can be tailored to fit your specific lifestyle. I strive to not only help guide your legal matter, but to be available to you for any practical advice that may be needed along the way.. Outside of the legal world, you can find me volunteering with local organizations, shooting high scores of golf in the surrounding area, and cheering on THE Ohio State University.

I am a licensed North Carolina attorney practicing and serving clients in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cabarrus, and Union counties. My practice is primarily focused on family and domestic litigation, with a keen attention to child custody, child support, divorce and domestic violence cases. With a high level of passion for the law, my main priority is to advocate on behalf of my clients and achieve outstanding results while maintaining prompt and effective communication.. I am currently a Senior Associate Attorney at McIlveen Family Law Firm in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Family defines who I am both as a person and an attorney.  It is from my family that I continuously draw my inspiration to be a better person in my personal life, as well as a compassionate attorney in my professional life.  I understand that when you have asked for my help, you are most likely facing tough and defining decisions in your life.  With that in mind, my commitment to you is to advise you as best as I can and guide you through difficult times.  My counsel to you is two-fold.  Not only will I help you better understand and navigate the legal system that you will encounter in my role as an attorney, but I will also be there to support you emotionally.  While I will always be there to provide sound and strong legal advice, I understand that sometimes people just need someone to talk to.

Dara Duncan Larson received her law degree from Florida State University. While attending Florida State, she spent time studying international law at Oxford University in England.  She also attended Elon University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications.. She is licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and California.  Dara is a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar and the Young Lawyers Division of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and Mecklenburg County Bar Association.  She is also a member of the family law section of both the Mecklenburg County and North Carolina Bar Association.. Dara is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina but has spent the last several years in Florida and then Los Angeles, California.. When Dara is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband, watching sports, traveling, and trying new recipes.. Contact Dara at

Attorneys, judges, and families in the Charlotte area know attorney Jim Warren, founder of Warren Family Law, as a man of integrity, a fighter for those who need a champion in matters of family law.. Born and raised in the Queen City, Jim graduated from NC State University before joining the charter class of the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in Buies Creek.. Admitted to the North Carolina Bar since 1979, Jim has built a reputation for robust client representation with the unmatched wisdom earned from more than 30 years of practicing law before family courts in the Charlotte area. His deep understanding of the law and legal procedures, competing law firms, family court judges and his ability to relate often complex legal processes to his clients have set Jim apart as a master of matters regarding divorce, custody, and distribution of property.. A son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, Jim knows that our families are our most precious gifts, and he works hard to help families like yours recover from life’s most traumatic times.

As a Charlotte divorce lawyer with more than 20 years of legal experience, I represent clients in a range of divorce and family law related matters throughout Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.. When you work with my law firm, you get an attorney with experience who is focused on:

Experienced Child Custody attorney serving clients in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Experienced Child Custody attorney serving clients in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Experienced Child Custody attorney serving clients in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Experienced Child Custody attorney serving clients in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Experienced Child Custody attorney serving clients in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Experienced Child Custody attorney serving clients in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Experienced Child Custody attorney serving clients in Charlotte and surrounding areas.