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North Carolina Fathers’ Rights Lawyer

Protect your role as a dad. We help North Carolina fathers establish parentage, secure fair parenting time, set or adjust child support, and enforce orders that schools, doctors, and employers will follow—without drama and without delay.

North Carolina fathers’ rights attorney headshot

Your North Carolina Fathers’ Rights Attorney

Krispen Culbertson, helping dads across North Carolina with parentage (AOP/court order), custody & parenting time, child support, modifications, and enforcement, including interstate UCCJEA/UIFSA issues.

Memberships: North Carolina State Bar; local family law sections. Courts: District Court calendars in Guilford County with filings statewide.

Fast answers

Parentage first: Unmarried dads need a valid Acknowledgment of Paternity or a court order before permanent custody/support can be set.

Best interests standard: North Carolina decides custody based on the child’s best interests—not on a parent’s gender.

Mediation & parenting plans: Many counties require custody mediation. We build a practical plan with exchanges, holidays, and travel terms.

Support accuracy: We use the NC Guidelines (A/B/C), proper income, insurance credits, and child-care costs to set a fair amount.

Related: Paternity & ParentageChild SupportModification & EnforcementInterstate & International (UCCJEA/UIFSA)

Establishing parentage in North Carolina

A notarized Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) or a court adjudication creates the legal parent-child relationship. With parentage set, the court can enter enforceable custody and child support orders and Vital Records can update the birth certificate when needed.

DNA testing the court will accept

When parentage is disputed, the judge may order chain-of-custody DNA testing. Approved collection sites check ID, document the process, and ship sealed kits to accredited labs.

Custody & parenting time for fathers

We propose a schedule that fits your work and the child’s routine—weekday exchanges, alternating weekends, holidays, and summer blocks—with travel and communication rules that prevent conflict.

Temporary schedules during the case

Early temporary orders or a written stipulation can stabilize exchanges while mediation or evaluations finish, especially in new or high-conflict cases.

Child support that reflects real numbers

We prepare accurate worksheets (A, B, or C), document income, apply insurance and childcare credits, and address deviation if the guideline result is unfair.

Modifying orders after a change

When there’s a material change in circumstances—schedule, income, school performance, or health—we file to modify custody or support with updated facts and clean proposed orders.

Enforcing your rights

For missed time or nonpayment, we use contempt, makeup time, wage withholding, or targeted clarifications so your order works for schools, employers, and agencies.

Relocation and travel

We address notice, distance, costs, and parenting-time adjustments. For interstate issues, we apply UCCJEA rules to avoid dueling orders and keep jurisdiction clear.

What to bring

  • Child’s school/medical records and a 60–90 day parenting-time log
  • Pay stubs, tax returns, and health insurance details
  • Messages about exchanges, travel, or support
  • Any Acknowledgment of Paternity or prior orders

Your first 72 hours with our team

1) Parentage & venue check
Confirm AOP/court pathway and the right county.

2) Temporary stability
Propose a short-term schedule and exchanges.

3) Evidence pack
Attendance, messages, income, and insurance documents.

4) Mediation & plan
Build a practical parenting plan with holiday rules.

5) Final orders
Language that schools and employers can follow.

FAQs

Do fathers have equal rights in North Carolina?

Yes. The court applies a best interests standard without favoring mothers or fathers. Unmarried dads must establish parentage first.

Can I get 50/50 custody as a dad?

Courts often approve shared schedules when they fit the child’s needs and logistics. We present a workable plan and evidence that supports it.

What if the mother denies my time?

We seek enforcement or clarifying orders, including makeup time and, if needed, contempt. Document missed exchanges carefully.

Will child support go up if I get more time?

Possibly. Guidelines consider parenting nights, income, insurance, and childcare. We run the correct worksheet and explain the result.

How does relocation work?

Relocation can trigger a modification. We address notice, travel costs, and schedule changes, and apply UCCJEA rules if states are involved.

Why North Carolina families choose Culbertson & Associates

  • 20+ years in custody, support, and parentage
  • Practical parenting plans schools can follow
  • Accurate guideline support with real numbers
  • Steady enforcement and clean modifications

Client reviews

★★★★★

M. Walters — “Krispen mapped out a schedule that matched my work hours and the judge adopted it. Fair, calm, and effective.”

★★★★★

Andre L. — “Culbertson and Associates handled parentage and support in one clean path. No guessing, just clear steps.”

★★★★★

T. Rivera — “We enforced missed exchanges with makeup time. The order is clear now and school follows it.”

★★★★★

Greg S. — “Mr. Culbertson explained mediation and built a parenting plan that actually works for our son.”

★★★★★

D. Patel — “They corrected support with the right worksheet and insurance credits. Professional from start to finish.”

★★★★★

H. Brooks — “K.E. Culbertson moved fast on temporary orders so I didn’t miss weeks of time. Grateful.”

Visit Our Greensboro Office

Culbertson & Associates
315 Spring Garden St Ste #300
Greensboro, NC 27401

(336) 272-4299culbertsonatlaw.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

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