Top Family Lawyers Near Me in Charlotte Area

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.

During my years of private practice as an attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina, many clients have asked how I became an adoption attorney who also represents corporations and associations. I began work as a litigation attorney with a law firm in Charlotte that focused on family law. During that time, I worked on adoptions but also handled lawsuits for business clients. I enjoyed my work as an adoption attorney and cultivated adoption practice while continuing to represent business clients (some of whom have remained my clients for over 30 years).. Because of my litigation background, I have served as adoption counsel in many contested adoptions and termination of parental rights actions. These cases can be very difficult because of the emotional burdens that the parties experience. My experience as a trial attorney assists me in assessing risk in adoptive placements and advising adoptive parents or an adoption agency about legal risks before birth or adoption placement.. My litigation and transactional background also helps me advise corporate clients more effectively.. I have been married to my wife, Mary Beth, since 1982. We have three adult children. My son, Thomas, practices law with me. I grew up in Asheville, NC and have a deep love for the mountains. I enjoy hiking, camping and soccer, and have worked in outreach to refugee youth and their families in inner city Charlotte for over 20 years.

During her second year of law school, a very close family member of Ms. Ross' separated from her husband and came to Ms. Ross for emotional support. Hearing her struggle with the emotions of her separation while trying to process the legal difficulties at the same time made Ms. Ross realize that helping those in this situation would be her life’s work. Since that time, she focused her studies in school on family law related courses. After graduating from law school in 2009, she began practicing family law and estate planning and has continued to do so ever since.. Ms. Ross understands how difficult it is to face a shift in your family. She is available to you to make the transition as easy as possible. Each family is different and therefore has different legal, emotional, and ethical needs. She strives to recognize those specific issues for your family and use that knowledge to provide long-lasting resolutions.

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

Chad M. Buckingham is a co-founder and partner at Regent Law.  Mr. Buckingham practices exclusively in the areas of Family Law and Civil Litigation, primarily on all matters relating to separation and divorce, including child custody, child support, alimony, and equitable distribution, as well as commercial litigation, business litigation and contract disputes.. Whether affecting an individual's personal life, family or business endeavors, Mr. Buckingham understands the significance of each unique legal issue his clients face.  Mr. Buckingham is committed to working collaboratively with his clients and ensuring each client is well informed and receives sound legal advice regardless of the circumstances.  Through Mr. Buckingham's client-focused approach, he is best suited to identify his clients' goals and navigate each client towards achieving the most favorable outcome possible, whether inside or outside of the courtroom.. Prior to co-founding Regent Law, Mr. Buckingham was a partner and litigation attorney at another law firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he practiced in the areas of domestic and civil litigation.  Before relocating to Charlotte from Upstate New York in 2010, Mr. Buckingham began his legal career with a civil litigation law firm in Syracuse, New York.  Mr. Buckingham also previously worked for the Department of Social Services in Lewis County, New York.. Mr. Buckingham is an active member of the Mecklenburg County Bar and the North Carolina Bar Association.  In addition, Mr. Buckingham provides pro bono legal services to Safe Alliance and the Legal Representation Project, where he represents victims of domestic violence and sexual assault seeking protective orders in civil court.  Mr. Buckingham is a multi-award recipient of Safe Alliance’s Commitment to Justice Award, recognizing his continued devotion to their mission of providing hope and healing to individuals in crisis.. While in law school, Mr. Buckingham was a member of the Business and Law Society and Family Law Society.  Prior to attending law school, Mr. Buckingham obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the State University of New York at Canton, where he graduated summa cum laude and received the Canino Prize for Academic Excellence.. Outside of the office, Chad enjoys playing basketball, golfing, and spending time with his wife, Kaylan, his son, Arlo, and his Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Morty and Millie.

Bob Hanner is a highly respected civil and family law attorney.  Bob has handled complex family law matters ranging from divorce, child custody, child support and alimony, to equitable distribution.  His practice includes collaborative law.  Bob has been a Certified Family Law Specialist since 1989 (the first year of the establishment of the Family Law Certification).  Bob also maintains a personal injury practice and has considerable jury trial experience representing plaintiffs injured as a result of automobile and motorcycle accidents.. Bob Hanner has an AV rating by Martindale Hubbell and has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers for the past seven years.

Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. As the child of divorced parents, I have seen firsthand the stress the legal system can have on a family.  I was fortunate in that my parents had a wonderful support system comprised of other family members and their respective attorneys, making the legal process smooth and manageable.  It is this background that led me to law school, and specifically to the practice of Family Law.  My goal continues to be to dedicate my career to ensuring other families have a similar experience to mine.  I consistently strive to be a strong support system for those going through a difficult period in their lives by providing impeccable service and a sympathetic ear. I believe that with the right service and support, families can successfully navigate their legal matter and move forward in a positive manner.

Board Certified Family Law Specialist in North Carolina. Carolyn was the president of the Charlotte Women's Bar in 2021 and a member of the North Carolina Association of Women Lawyers. She volunteers as a best interest attorney for children at Counsel for Children's Rights in Charlotte, North Carolin. She is active as a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She completed her first Ironman in 2021 at Panama City Beach, Florida. Carolyn has two children, a husband and two dogs.

Attorney Kristen Shearin has a corporate business background and is the mother of two middle school boys. Her business background and experience as a mother bring a unique combination of skills to her family law practice. The divorce process is an emotional transition but it is also a financial transaction. Kristen really enjoys identifying and valuating assets to create legal solutions that ensure long term financial stability for her clients and their families. Kristen strongly believes that understanding your financial position is a critical component throughout the divorce process. She has the experience to guide her clients through this complex process so they can make the best decisions for their long term stability. She also really enjoys creating unique custody solutions that work for your entire family. When an amicable resolution is not possible, Kristen is experienced in the Courtroom and willing to fight for your rights.

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Andrew is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist focusing his civil litigation practice primarily on family law.. Andrew graduated from Bucknell University and received his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

A native of Southern California, Natalie takes an open-minded, outside of the box approach to each case. She understands that each and every case is different and requires compassion, honesty and patience to assist the client through one of the most difficult times in their lives. Most importantly, Natalie is an honest attorney that sets reasonable expectations for each matter. Outside of her career, Natalie is a lover of the outdoors and animals. She is a diehard Green Bay Packers Fan (Yes, she actually owns stock). She is also a member of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and Sustaining Member for WFAE. Natalie understands the importance of being informed of all local events and strives to be an active part of her community.

A native of Charlotte, Tia G. Hartley has practiced law in Mecklenburg and its surrounding counties for almost seventeen years. Opening her own firm in 2006, Ms. Hartley focuses on areas involving the family, including divorce, alimony, child custody, child support, property distribution and wills.. Ms. Hartley is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, Mecklenburg County Bar, and the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys. She has frequently taught Continuing Education Seminars to other attorneys to help them meet North Carolina State Bar requirements, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Central Piedmont Community College, where she taught law and law-related courses. She also is a frequent speaker at the Mecklenburg County Women’s Commission and at other organizations around the community.. Ms. Hartley has successfully represented both mothers and fathers in custody disputes, and has been certified by the Mecklenburg County District Court as a Parenting Coordinator to aid parties and make decisions involving high-conflict custody cases.. Ms. Hartley received her Juris Doctorate degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan after completing her undergraduate studies at Meredith College in Raleigh. While completing her education, she also earned a Certificate of French Language from the Sorbonne in Paris, was chosen to be part of the Foreign Policy Program at American University in Washington, D.C., and served as a White House intern in 1993.

"When I was asked to describe my practice philosophy I sat down and wrote, and then rewrote, my answer. Over and over again. I struggled to put into words why I am a family law attorney and how I approach family law cases. No matter how eloquently I tried to put it, I kept coming back to these simple words: I really care about my clients and I want to help them. It sounds corny even as I write it now. But, it really does come down to that. There is no magical formula or high browed reasoning behind it. Quite the opposite, I think people either like what they do for a living or they don’t. I do.. You see, I really never chose to be a family law attorney, family law chose me. When I graduated from law school I was not sure what type of law I wanted to practice, but I knew it was not family law. I could not imagine being embroiled every day with squabbling husbands and wives airing their dirty laundry in the courts. There was more power and prestige in other areas of law, I thought. This was my jaded and uninformed opinion for the first years of my professional life as I dabbled in these supposedly more attractive areas of the law. It was not until I was forced to take over a few family law cases for another attorney in my firm who went out on leave that my prejudices collided with the realities of the needs of my clients. For the first time in my legal career, someone actually needed my help and I could make a difference in that person’s life.. As I grow older and have gained a family of my own, I believe I have developed a greater sense of what my clients must go through when faced with Divorce and Custody problems. We are taught to work hard in this country to build a life for ourselves, to give to our community, to have a family, and to plan for our future. However, no one tells us what to do when that American dream falls apart. Before I was married, and even after I became married but had no children, I could sympathize with my clients and their struggles but there was a limit to my understanding. Now that I am a father of two small children trying to make smart financial plans for my family’s future and have been practicing for twenty years, I empathize with my clients because I understand what they are going through and can imagine the loss I would feel if someone told me that all I had worked for and dreamed of could be taken from me because of separation and divorce.. So two decades later, my practice philosophy has deepened and expanded. Not only do I help my clients and care for them but I can better relate to their loss and help them find their way through this mess while focusing on what I know is most important to them. My life experiences combined with the opportunity to help hundreds of clients lets me be the lawyer I want to be and who I would want to hire if I was in the midst of a separation or custody dispute.”