Do I need to file all family law claims at once?

We stage filings to protect rights without over-litigating. Temporary relief first when needed (custody, PSS/support), then disclosures and negotiation toward final, enforceable orders.

How long does a North Carolina family law case take?

Uncontested matters can resolve in months; contested cases vary by county calendars. We set a phase-by-phase timeline and adjust as dockets move.

What are DVPO (50B) and 50C orders?

A 50B Domestic Violence Protective Order applies when parties have a personal relationship; 50C Civil No-Contact covers stalking/harassment without a domestic relationship. Both can include no-contact and safety terms.

What makes a marital agreement enforceable?

Fair disclosure, voluntariness, and proper execution. We draft agreements with clear terms that institutions and courts will follow.

North Carolina Family Law Lawyer

Q: Is mediation required?

Custody mediation is required in many counties. Property and support issues frequently settle after complete financial disclosures.

One coordinated strategy for your family law case. We handle divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution (property division), domestic violence protective orders (50B), civil no-contact orders (50C), and marital agreements—with clean filings and orders that courts, schools, employers, and plan administrators can follow.

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Your North Carolina Family Law Attorney

Krispen Culbertson—North Carolina family law lawyer with 20+ years in District Court dockets and negotiated settlements. Focus on custody, support, equitable distribution, alimony, and protective orders, with practical order language that agencies will follow.

Memberships: North Carolina State Bar; local Family Law Sections. Courts: District Courts statewide with regular calendars in Greensboro and High Point; emergency relief and consent orders filed on tight timelines.

Start by Situation

I Need a Divorce (Absolute Divorce & Case Strategy)

Set or Modify Child Custody

Child Support—Set, Modify, Enforce

Alimony / Spousal Support

Property Division (Equitable Distribution)

Domestic Violence Protective Order (50B)

Civil No-Contact Order (50C)

Prenup, Postnup & Separation Agreements

Interstate / UCCJEA Issues

Appeals & Post-Judgment Relief

Fast Answers

Roadmap matters: Coordinate custody, support, equitable distribution, and alimony so deadlines and disclosures line up, minimizing hearings.

Temporary relief first: Stabilize with temporary custody, PSS/alimony pendente lite, and interim support; then finalize clean orders.

Protection & safety: We pursue 50B DVPOs and 50C relief fast—with specific no-contact, residence, and firearms terms stakeholders can enforce.

Agreements that hold up: Prenups, postnups, and separation agreements require disclosure, voluntariness, and proper execution to be enforceable.

Divorce in North Carolina

Absolute divorce requires one year’s separation and the intent to remain separate. We align your divorce with claims for equitable distribution, alimony, child custody, and child support so rights aren’t waived. Learn more: North Carolina Divorce.

Child Custody

We build practical parenting plans tailored to your child’s needs—legal vs. physical custody, decision-making, exchanges, holidays, and travel. Mediation resolves many cases; we prepare proposals courts will approve. Learn more: Child Custody in NC.

Child Support

Guidelines drive most child support amounts, but deviations matter when expenses or parenting time differ from the norm. We calculate, set, modify, and enforce support with wage withholding and arrears ledgers. Learn more: North Carolina Child Support.

Paternity & Parentage

Establishing legal parentage drives custody, child support, and decision-making rights. We handle acknowledgments of paternity (AOP), genetic testing, legitimation, birth-certificate amendments, and interstate issues under UIFSA/UCCJEA. Learn more: Paternity & Parentage in North Carolina.

Alimony / Spousal Support

Post-separation support (PSS) stabilizes finances; alimony addresses longer-term need and ability to pay. We structure clear start/stop triggers, tax awareness, and QDRO/QILDRO coordination when needed. Learn more: Alimony in NC.

Equitable Distribution (Property Division)

We classify, value, and distribute marital vs. separate property—homes, retirements (QDROs), businesses, equity comp, and debts. Clean schedules and appraisals reduce disputes. Learn more: Equitable Distribution.

Marital Agreements

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements protect businesses, inheritances, and expectations; separation agreements and marital settlement agreements finalize cases with agency-ready language. Learn more: Marital Agreements.

Domestic Violence Protective Orders (50B)

We pursue and defend DVPOs with focused affidavits, evidence, and terms: residence, temporary custody, firearms, and no-contact. Urgent filing and follow-up hearings prevent gaps. Learn more: 50B DVPO.

Civil No-Contact (50C)

For non-domestic stalking/harassment, 50C orders provide enforceable boundaries where a 50B does not apply. We tailor relief to your context (workplace, school, digital). Learn more: 50C Orders.

Adoption

From stepparent and relative/kinship adoptions to agency and independent placements, we manage consents, notices, home studies, background checks, TPR (when required), and interstate compliance (ICPC)—ending with a clean decree and amended birth certificate. Learn more: Adoption in North Carolina.

Modification & Enforcement

When facts change, we seek post-judgment modifications of custody, support, or alimony based on a material change in circumstances. For noncompliance, we pursue enforcement: contempt, wage withholding, arrears ledgers, make-up time, and tailored order language agencies will follow. Learn more: Modification & Enforcement.

Interstate & International (UCCJEA / UIFSA)

Jurisdiction controls outcomes. We confirm UCCJEA home state, register out-of-state orders, and coordinate UIFSA support issues, including emergency jurisdiction and enforcement across state lines. Learn more: Interstate & International.

Appeals & Post-Judgment

We preserve errors, plan the record on appeal, and pursue Rule 59/Rule 60 remedies where faster. Learn more: Appeals & Post-Judgment.

Disclosure & Documents Checklist

Last 2–3 years of tax returns; recent pay stubs and 1099s
Bank, brokerage, retirement, and benefit statements (QDRO-eligible plans)
Real estate deeds, appraisals, and mortgage statements
Business financials (K-1s, P&Ls), equity compensation (RSUs/options)
School and medical records relevant to custody and support
Any prior orders or agreements (DVPO/50B, 50C, custody, support)

Your First 72 Hours with Our Team

1) Intake & Priorities
Map goals across custody, support, property, and safety; flag immediate risks.

2) Jurisdiction & Venue
Confirm UCCJEA/subject-matter jurisdiction; sequence filings to protect rights.

3) Temporary Relief
Seek stabilizing terms: parenting time, PSS/support, safe access to the home.

4) Disclosures & Calendars
Assemble financials; calendar mediation, deadlines, and hearing windows.

5) Final Orders
Draft clear, enforceable orders with agency-ready language; plan enforcement.

Family Law FAQs

Do I file everything at once or in stages?

We stage filings to protect rights without over-litigating—temporary relief first when needed, then disclosures and negotiation toward final orders.

Is mediation required?

Most North Carolina custody cases go to mediation before trial; property and support disputes often resolve in settlement after clean disclosures.

How long will my case take?

Uncontested matters can resolve in a few months; contested dockets vary by county. We set realistic timelines at intake and update as calendars move.

What will it cost?

Cost depends on complexity and dispute level. We scope fees by phase (temporary relief, disclosure, settlement, hearing) and aim to resolve efficiently.

Can we keep this out of court?

Often yes—through consent orders, mediated agreements, or collaborative terms. When hearings are required, we prepare tightly focused evidence.

Should I get a prenuptial or postnuptial?

Agreements help when you have a business, significant inheritance, or financial asymmetry. They require disclosure, voluntariness, and correct execution.