Top Best Family Lawyers | 14504 Available

Robin is a native of Raleigh. She graduated from NC State in 1998 with a major in French Language and Literature and a minor in Spanish. She graduated from the Norman A. Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2002 and worked as a solo practitioner until 2023 when she joined Triangle Divorce Lawyers following her youngest child's graduation from high school. Robin represents clients in all facets of family and juvenile law including child custody and support, alimony, equitable distribution, domestic violence, guardianship, name change, termination of parental rights, adoption and parent coordination. She is a former speaker at the UNC School of Government where she has trained judges, clerks and other attorneys. Robin has also taught at the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, Half Moon Seminars and National Business Institute. When Robin is not advocating for her clients, she enjoys tailgating at NC State football games, attending concerts, playing with her dogs and spending time in Mexico.

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.

Jennifer was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she graduated from Walter Hines Page High School. She received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a second major in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned her Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law in Greensboro, North Carolina.. At Elon University School of Law, Jennifer was the vice president of the Public Interest Law Society and a member of the Family Law Society. During law school, Jennifer interned at the Elon University School of Law Field Placement Clinic with Legal Aid of North Carolina where she represented clients in domestic violence court proceedings.. Jennifer's passion for family law began in college while working summers as a runner / legal assistant at a firm in Greensboro. She continued to work for the firm on a part time basis while in law school and after graduating and passing the North Carolina Bar Exam. Jennifer relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2011 and now proudly calls the Queen City home.

She has been licensed and practicing in the state of North Carolina since 1994. She obtained her North Carolina bar license immediately after graduating from North Carolina Central University School of Law. While at North Carolina Central University, Attorney Wallace was determined to do well and therefore excelled academically. As a result, she received several American Jurisprudence awards for academic excellence.. After obtaining her North Carolina license, Attorney Wallace worked several years as an associate attorney with other firms. While working as an associate, Attorney Wallace observed what she believed to be a shortage of attorney’s who were willing to provide competent and aggressive legal services to clients at affordable rates. It was then that Attorney Wallace decided to dedicate her legal skills to obtain justice for those who would otherwise slip through the judicial system.. Therefore, in 1999 she established the Law Office of Tamela T. Wallace, P.A. to provide competent legal services to those who could not afford representation by larger firms in the Charlotte and surrounding areas. Since that time, her office has grown and Attorney Wallace has successfully provided aggressive and competent legal representation to hundreds of clients for the last ten years.. The staff at the Law Office of Tamela T. Wallace, P.A. believes that each client is important. Therefore, they strive to treat each client with civility and respect, while diligently addressing every issue presented.. Attorney Wallace believes relationships with her professional peers are important as well. Therefore, she is a member of the following legal organizations: NC Bar Association, American Bar Association, NC Association of Women Attorneys and the Mecklenburg County Bar Association.

Sean McIlveen is a Family Law Attorney in Charlotte, NC. Sean has been practicing family law for more than 20 years. Sean McIlveen represents clients in all types of family law cases including divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, equitable distribution, alienation of affection, and adoptions.  He chose to go into divorce and family law because he has a passion for families. Sean McIlveen grew up in Gastonia, NC and has continued to practice locally. He currently takes custody, divorce, and family law cases in Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord, and the surrounding cities.. Sean McIlveen is a Co-Founder and Partner Attorney at the McIlveen Family Law Firm. Sean earned his undergraduate degree in sociology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 1998, he earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Houston Law. Sean has devoted his practice exclusively to family law. He is also a certified family mediator. He has over a decade of experience in mediating family law cases for attorneys in the area.. Clients of Sean's will tell you that he is honest with them about their case. He tells it like it is. He has a reputation for fighting passionately for his clients. Whether you are looking for an attorney who is experienced in family law mediations or child custody trials, Sean is the family law attorney for you. If you ask Sean why he goes to court, he will tell you, "I only go to court for two reasons: 1) to win and 2) not to lose.". Sean is often asked to teach CLE's and he mentors Associate Attorneys at the McIlveen Family Law Firm. Sean welcomes speaking opportunities and enjoys teaching others.. Sean is married to Angela McIlveen, an attorney and his partner at the firm.  They have 4 children ranging in ages from 14 to 26 years old. When he's not in court, he enjoys spending time with my children, woodworking, and traveling with Angela.

Missy Foard is a partner at SeiferFlatow, PLLC, and her practice focuses on family law. Missy’s mission is to help confidently and compassionately guide people through challenging situations involving divorce, custody, and family law.. Missy attended Gettysburg College and Campbell Law School. After graduating from law school in Raleigh, Missy moved to the Queen City and has never looked back.. In her free time, Missy enjoys reading, running, and exploring Charlotte and all it has to offer with her husband and three (yes, three) dogs.. As a PA native, Missy is an avid supporter of the Pittsburgh Steelers, though she has quickly grown to consider the Panthers “her” team, as well.. Missy is admitted to the state of North Carolina Bar. Her education includes:

In representing her client’s interests, Lindsey’s goal is advocacy rooted in practicality.  While the perfect scenario allows resolution of family conflicts outside of the courtroom, this is not always attainable.  Lindsey works on a personal level with her clients to understand their specific needs, to provide alternatives to litigation, but also to provide an affirmative defense of her client’s interests, including preparation and execution of a comprehensive litigation strategy, where conflict resolution requires judicial intervention.

I am a native Charlottean, having graduated from Myers Park High School.  I did my undergraduate studies at UNC-Charlotte, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration, major in Marketing, as well as a B.A. in Spanish.  While there, I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain through a program with UNC-Chapel Hill.  I graduated from the Charlotte School of Law as class valedictorian in the first graduating class.  While there, I studied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland through a program with William Mitchell College of Law.. After graduating from law school, I began practicing misdemeanor criminal defense matters and plaintiff’s side civil litigation before opening my own practice, focusing primarily on family law.. Since opening our doors in 2010, we have helped hundreds of clients through the tough times that often come along with family law issues.  We believe in fighting hard for our clients and being there for them when they need us most.

During his years working for the Council For Children’s Rights, attorney Kenneth R. Harris Jr. was exposed to many different aspects of family law, including its difficulties and repercussions on children and their families.. That experience convinced him a career practicing family law was right for him.. “I knew family law was the most natural fit and held the most interest for me,” Mr. Harris said.. Mr. Harris works hard to develop a personal connection with each of his clients. He sincerely wants to understand what their concerns are so he can better advocate for them and help them reach their goals in the divorce process.. “I believe I have a very good ability to read a client and understand who that person is,” he said, “which helps me get the results that client most desires.”. Mr. Harris is also realistic when he explains to clients what they can expect during their case.. “Expect nothing but honest communication and passionate advocacy from me above all else,” he said.

To read what some of my past clients would say about working with me, visit my website for testimonials.. Family law is a complicated and emotional area of the law, and it’s not one I would encourage people to navigate on their own.  My goal as a family law attorney is to help my clients understand the issues at hand, how we can deal with them, and what a judge might realistically do in their case.. While I never attempt to take on the role of a counselor or therapist, I do understand that this is a very emotional time, so I try to make the entire process as seamless as possible.  I do this by managing my client’s expectations of what the legal future may hold, as well as answering any questions they may have along the way. Specifically, I have found that preparing clients for mediation, hearings, etc., provides them with a great advantage. They have a better idea of what to expect when they walk into that setting.. Managing clients’ expectations is about giving them a realistic picture of what will most likely happen with their property, finances, and custodial time.  I’ll never paint a picture of perfection, because, as the saying goes, “in family law, there are no winners.”  Instead, I want my clients to walk away from their divorce process feeling satisfied, and confident that their lawyer led them in the right direction, always doing what was in the best interests of the family as a whole.. I love practicing family law because I love helping people when they need it most.  When people walk into my office, it’s usually one of the hardest times of their lives.  It is such a pleasure to help them make decisions that -- at the time -- seem extraordinarily difficult, but that they’ll eventually see as the right decisions for their family. It is so gratifying to watch people go from rock-bottom to happier, and healthier, sometimes in just a matter of months.. I am also a Certified Family Financial Mediator.* After spending 8+ years as a litigator, I felt that I could use my extensive courtroom experience to help guide people towards settlement outside the courtroom. Since becoming certified in April 2019, I have mediated dozens of cases, and have successfully helped a majority of those people settle. While I still handle many cases in active litigation on a regular basis, I have found that adding mediations to my practice has resulted in helping even more people reach a resolution in their lives. This brings me great joy, and I am very proud to help people in this way.. I not only handles divorce and custody matters, but I also helps my clients with alienation of affection cases. My most notable trial resulted in a $1.5 million judgment for alienation of affection while in Raleigh. After returning to Charlotte, I participated as co-counsel in an alienation of affection case, which resulted in a jury verdict of $1.3 million in our client’s favor. Subsequently, I handled another trial for alienation of affection which resulted in a $300,000 jury verdict in my client’s favor. Because of this experience, I am well-versed in the intricacies of the laws surrounding alienation of affection cases and have been selected as a CLE speaker on this topic.. The top three questions I answer for my clients are:. 1.      Can I leave the house or will that be deemed to be “abandonment”?. 2.      What is a realistic custody schedule I can expect?. 3.      How much support will I get, or pay, and for how long?. Each case is different, so during your initial consultation, we can address your specific concerns.. What you’ll get if you work with me:. When you work with me, you’ll get an advocate who’s caring, but honest, someone who will work hard to keep you out of court if at all possible, and who understands that your case is about you and what’s best for your family.. To book a mediation or consultation, please email me or visit my website for online scheduling.

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.

To say I have an intimate knowledge of the North Carolina family court system, unfortunately, is a statement that I share with a sorrowful heart. My childhood was ridden with the yelling, crying, and physical abuse inflicted upon my mother, my older brother, and I from an abusive father. Growing up in an environment of domestic violence skewed my perception of reality and right from wrong. As a child amidst chaos, I was use to the violence. I honestly thought mental and emotional abuse, physical violence, and financial threats was normal in a home and marriage. It was not until around the age of nine that something clicked in me. I remember the evening as if it happened yesterday. Yet another fight broke out in the living room, while I watched TV in my pink-filled bedroom. Once again, my father did not like something my mother did. She had “pushed his buttons”. This time my brother attempted to deescalate the situation, and he was hit by my father. As my mother guided my brother to the bathroom with blood running from his nose, I hopped off my bed and squirmed between them to sit on the toilet seat of the bathroom. My brother’s anger and my mother’s despair apparent, I sat and observed. I didn’t shed a tear, but I wanted to be there for my brother…he was my best friend (even if he called me “tiny terror” and claimed I was his annoying younger sister). As I watched the water being poured on his face to ensure my mother could clearly see if there was an injury, something clicked in my head. All of a sudden it occurred to me, “this isn’t right”. I learned in that instance right from wrong, and that what my father had done was wrong. I didn’t know how or when things would change, but I knew then and there that my family had to get out of this dreadful situation.. Fast forward to the age of eleven, my father once again rose his hand to my mother. The fateful scream of my mother was heard two stories above while I sat in my room. I rushed down to her aid to find my father standing over her with a cast-iron beer mug. I confronted my father with the wrong he had inflicted upon my mother, and he responded by dragging me up a few flights of stairs and throwing me into a wall. I mean I should have expected it, he was three times the size of me. Regardless, I got up and went right back into the room to my mother. As I picked her up and guided her upstairs to a sink, I turned to the phone to call the police. As was her line in the past, “stop, if you do that he will be out of jail in a day and come after us…he will cut off all the money…we will be homeless.” Abiding by my mother’s wishes and concern, I proceeded to take mother to bed, take pictures of her wounds (as my Godmother told us to do during these violent incidents), and ensure that my mother never fell asleep. Our worry…if my mother fell asleep with the gaping head wound still bleeding then she may never wake up. It was literally the longest night of my life. Somehow we got through. From that day on though, things were different. The following summer, when he raised his voice again, I made the decision: I was going to leave with or without my mother. I know my mother had tried to leave before. But her priest told her to work on things, the police said they cannot do much, and our family members and friends “did not want to be involved”. Call me a rebellious child, but I didn’t care anymore. I would rather be homeless than live amidst the abuse of my father, regardless of the three-story house, fancy sports car, and money that made the neighbors enviable. My mother, who always tried to put her children first, finally decided to face the fire. At the very next incident, my mother and I escaped to a neighbor’s house, the police were called, and my father was put in jail for the night.  The very next day, my mother developed the courage to file for a domestic violence protective order. With no funds, because my father had cut them off at this point as predicted, my mother found her attorney by calling any family law attorney in the Wake County area by using a physical phone book and heard for the voice of the attorney. Finally, when she heard a strong voice that instilled a sense of trust and understanding, my mother found Helen, her family law attorney. You think I’m kidding? I’m not. My mother found her attorney listening to her voice on the answering machine. Everything happens for a reason though. In the following five years, my mother and I were in and out of court to address everything that came about. I testified before the Judge at the age of twelve to bring light to the abuse in the home. And still to this day, my father is past due on his child support obligation. Therefore, when people ask how much experience do I have in the family courts, I can’t help but think, “oh, if you only knew”.. Now why with this history ridden with despair would I think I should become more involved by becoming a family law attorney myself? My reply is because I don’t think any child should go through what I went through. The court system should not be designed in a way to further victimize or encourage violence due to apathy based on technicalities. There is the law and there is life. Instead of ignoring my pains in the past, I want to use the knowledge gained to help others and create a ripple of change in the court system. I don’t care if you are a mother or a father, if you put your kids first then I am the attorney for you. I only wish I had as good a father as some of my clients are. And to confirm my ambition to become an attorney was my mom’s attorney Helen. Without her, my mother may still be in that abusive relationship. She was an inspiration to me, and now it is time to pay it forward.. When I left the Judge’s chambers at the age of twelve, I knew I could get use to this. I can honestly say, I spent a part of my childhood in a courtroom; therefore today, the courtroom does not scare me one bit. After graduating from Cary High School, I went to the George Washington University in Washington, DC. There I took a number of classes in psychology and conflict resolution, only to find that my passion was in international relations. Upon graduation from the university, I finally was able to pursue my ultimate goal: obtaining a law degree. I attended the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill. Not only did this fulfill my dream of supporting my favorite college basketball team as a loyal student, but I also was able to hone my skills as an orator, writer, and legal thinker.. As a family law attorney, I help my clients navigate the legal system when their family relations and the law collide. Based on your specific story, I figure out how the law applies. Although many cases can be resolved outside of the courts with the skillful use of mediation, collaborative law, or negotiations, some cases will end up before the Judge. I am here to ensure your rights are protected both outside and inside the courtroom. And if I am able, I hope to be an inspiration to you and your family as my mother’s attorney was to me.

I have been a board-certified family law specialist since 2010.  I have received advanced training in collaborative law and am a Certified Family Financial Mediator.  I strive to keep family law matters out of the courtroom.. I dedicate my practice to family law matters, such as equitable distribution, child custody, child support, alimony, post-separation support, and step-parent and family member adoptions.. I also handle matters related to family law, such as property disputes between unmarried couples.. I offer in-person and virtual consultations, meetings, and mediations.

The approach is simple: to serve clients with unparalleled excellence. The results are comprehensive: affordable representation, sharp attention to detail and practical solutions.. The Patterson Law Office, PLLC, is a boutique firm assisting clients in civil litigation and litigation avoidance strategy. We opened our doors in 2011 with the intention of offering top-notch legal services to individuals, families and small business owners. Based in Charlotte, and serving throughout Mecklenburg County, we have remained true to our goal.. Our team understands how sensitive family law matters can be. When one's most important relationships undergo dramatic change, one's financial independence may be jeopardized. We pride ourselves in reaching favorable, practical solutions in the most time- and cost-sensitive ways imaginable.. This is our passion. And we've earned a reputation for effectiveness.

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.