Davie County Family Lawyers

Barri Hilton Payne was born in High Point, North Carolina and grew up in Davidson County. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in Religious studies and Sociology. Barri practiced for the last twelve years as a founding partner in the firm Brock, Payne & Meece, P.A. before opening her own solo law and mediation practice in 2013. Barri was involved with the Holderness Moot Court while in law school at UNC and earned her law degree in 1999. She has practiced in Durham, North Carolina since that time and concentrates her practice on...

Sara Barlowe is an associate attorney at Bagwell Holt Smith where she practices in the Firm’s Family Law department. Sara joined the Firm in July of 2020 shortly after relocating to the Research Triangle area from Astoria, Queens with her family and their two cats. While in New York, Sara worked as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s office where she focused primarily on domestic violence and special victims cases with the exception of a year-long stint in the office’s Special Investigations Division where she handled long-term wiretap investigations. Sara received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Benjamin...

Ellis Family Law, PLLC was founded in 2008 by board certified family law specialist Gray Ellis with the singular goal to provide the very best legal representation to North Carolinians facing challenging family law issues. Since that time, the firm has successfully represented hundreds of husbands, wives, children, grandparents, and other family members in courts across the state. Our work has not gone unnoticed as the firm has earned awards from both national and local organizations such as Super Lawyers, Martindale Hubbel, North Carolina’s Legal Elite, NC Lawyer's Weekly Power List, NC leader's in the Law, and the...

Whether civil or criminal, the legal process can be very frustrating, intimidating, and the outcome may seem too uncertain. As such, Dmitriy understands the importance of maintaining prompt communication and step-by-step comforting guidance. He also strongly believes that every case is defensible and that every client deserves the utmost dedication and attention.

Dmitriy graduated from UNC Charlotte, Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in Finance. He further attended the Charlotte School of Law and graduated Cum Laude. Dmitriy now works as a Managing Partner at Biazzo & Panchenko Law, PLLC, and serves Charlotte and surrounding areas (Mint Hill,...

Scott Lippert was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife moved to North Carolina to start practicing law in 2013. He began his career in private practice before becoming a prosecutor in Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. Scott left the District Attorney's Office to partner with his wife and Richard Beyer to form Beyer & Lippert. Scott has served on several local boards and committees within the North Carolina 25th Judicial District. He is a State Board-Certified Specialist in North Carolina Criminal Law. Scott lives in Morganton with his wife, kids, and dogs.

Ben Hefferon is a highly rated divorce and family law attorney with extensive experience in handling cases related to divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, visitation, and spousal support. A graduate of North Carolina Central School of Law with High Honors, Ben is committed to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients through both court proceedings and negotiations. His dedication to the field and his ability to navigate complex family law issues make him a valuable advocate for those he represents.

I am licensed to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina & Tennessee. I am an attorney with McGrath & Spielberger, PLLC, where my areas of practice include real property (including loss mitigation and foreclosure defense) and business law. I received a Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law and a Master of Business Administration from Campbell University Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, as part of the joint JD/MBA program. I attended North Carolina State University and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. Currently, I am pursuing an LL.M. (Master of Laws) postgraduate law degree in...

My legal and business experiences enable me to offer clients a broad spectrum of professional services from the unique perspective of someone who is both an attorney and an entrepreneur.

The unknown is a scary place for any individual, especially for a person whose family is undergoing a significant transition through divorce, a child custody dispute, a domestic violence situation, or even a hopeful adoption. Although I cannot tell you exactly what course your situation will take, I can help you navigate the legal system while addressing each concern and question. I strive to educate my clients about the law so they can make informed decisions about what is most precious in their lives. Whether you are a business owner employing multiple individuals and supplying income for even...

Kara Goodman is a dedicated, experienced, and compassionate lawyer who practices in the area of family law. As a child of parents that divorced before she was 10 years of age, Kara developed a passion for family law at an early age. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. Kara ultimately settled in Charlotte, North Carolina where she obtained her Juris Doctorate and began her legal career. Kara spent her first two years of practice with a small law firm in Concord, North Carolina, spending...

Attorney Rebecca Poole brings a powerful combination of skill, passion, and advanced training to the practice of law. Certified by both the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization and Center for Cooperative Parenting, Rebecca has established a reputation for excellence – and results – in the areas of mediation, arbitration, litigation, and the collaborative divorce process. She also assists the firm’s clients in developing comprehensive estate plans that ensure family members and financial affairs are protected and preserved. Over the course of her legal career, Rebecca has maintained an unwavering commitment to achieving client goals, even when faced with challenging...

I spent seven years at the Hoke County District Attorney’s Office, where my primary focus was on prosecuting serious felony cases. These cases ranged from domestic violence and drug trafficking to felony assault, child sexual assault, child abuse, rape, and murder. I have a wealth of trial experience and have devoted my career to resolving high-conflict cases. My commitment, thorough preparation, and empathy are clearly reflected in my work. I am a native of Hoke County and maintain strong connections within my community. I graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and obtained my Law Degree from Campbell...

Melone Hatley, PC attorney Charles D. Hatley has made a career of practicing family law because of the opportunity it gives him to help families through such a critical juncture. “I am passionate about helping individuals through trying times and protecting their rights so they can concentrate on their personal lives,” Mr. Hatley said. The divorce process can be highly confusing for many people. Getting bogged down in all the legal jargon and procedures can be incredibly frustrating when so much is at stake. Mr. Hatley walks through each step of the process to make sure his clients...

Partner Jason A. McGrath is licensed in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, & Federal Court. He’s a problem solver, a transactional attorney, a litigator, & draws on his roots as a (former) Assistant District Attorney. Jason handles a variety of matters, including but not limited to real estate matters & foreclosures; business & commercial law matters; and creditor - debtor disputes. He focuses on the practical as well as the legal, always keeping the short, medium, and long-term strategies in mind. Jason prefers a polite and professional approach; assertive as needed, but also trying to be a decent human being.

Jason...

The founding attorney and partner of Epperson Law Group, James L. Epperson, has served in the Navy JAG Corps before founding his family law practice in Weddington and Charlotte, North Carolina. In his work with the Navy, Attorney Epperson represented servicemen and women through courts-martial cases, as well as handling high-stakes negotiation for the release of Navy service members from foreign captors in the Middle East. This high-stress work has prepared him for the stressful and emotionally trying world of family law, where he provides counsel and litigation services, as well as mediation and arbitration, for those facing divorce, custody...

I represent clients in the states of Florida, North Carolina & South Carolina in various types of legal matters, including but not limited to business law and real estate law. My career has followed a dual trajectory in litigation and corporate practice. I’ve acted as general counsel to several small businesses with regard to business development and contract work while also representing individuals and entities in complex business litigation matters relating to contract disputes, lender and financial liability matters, and real estate transactions. at both the state and federal level. My previous experience as a judicial clerk gave me insight...

I am a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, and a Certified Family Financial Divorce Mediator. My practice is intentionally focused on helping each of my Clients work through their separation, divorce, or child custody issues without having to step foot in a Courtroom. I have seen first hand the damage that is done to parents and children going through family law litigation. It is my goal to help each Client navigate their family law issues to move forward with their new, improved life.

I grew up in the small town of Ahoskie, North Carolina, in the eastern part of the state. After I finished high school, I studied architecture at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. I developed an interest in aesthetics, form, proportion, and design. All these things are instrumental in my law practice, which, I believe, are to my clients’ advantage. After finishing college, I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where I spent several years doing freelance architectural renderings and enjoying the beauty of the Lowcountry. After living in Charleston, I shifted gears to attend law school....

Kirsten Alderdice grew up in New England and Charlotte, NC, and relocated to the Triangle in 2014. She obtained her BS degree in English Education from Boston University and her M.Ed. from North Carolina State University. Kirsten then spent eight years teaching middle and high school English. During her public school teaching experiences advocating for children with different educational needs, she decided that law school would be her best path to help families navigate transitions and the court system. She joined Ellis Family Law while attending North Carolina Central University School of Law’s Evening Program in 2022. To family law,...

I help people who are facing felony and misdemeanor criminal and traffic charges and driver’s license revocations. I also represent people on a wide array of family law issues such as Separation and Divorce, Child Custody and Support, and Alimony and Equitable Distribution, and I assist landlords and tenants with residential and commercial leasing disputes. I have been a criminal defense attorney since the beginning of my career. I worked as an Assistant Public Defender in both Gaston and Durham Counties, before I decided to move to private practice and left the Public Defender’s office to...

In 2012, Sharon Thompson became Of Counsel to NicholsonPham. She has been in private practice since 1976 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of family law, including all aspects of adoption and family formation through assisted reproduction and surrogacy; estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and probate administration; and LGBT legal issues. In 2010, Sharon became the first female attorney in North Carolina to be accepted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. A significant portion of Sharon’s practice has been devoted to providing advice and services to LGBT...

Sarah Gerow believes that the role of a family law attorney is that of a patient counselor and a staunch advocate. Sarah knew from a young age that she wanted to be a lawyer, and her desire to advocate for others developed while working with children with disabilities as a summer camp counselor during college. This led Sarah to the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she focused on education and family law. After marrying her husband, a member of the North Carolina Army National Guard, she worked as an associate at Sullivan & Hilscher Family Law, specializing...

Amanda Knight represents clients in a wide range of family law matters including divorce, child custody and support, domestic violence, spousal support, and equitable distribution proceedings. She also provides trusted counsel to clients throughout the estate planning process. A graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law, Amanda brings a passion and commitment to achieving client goals, while maintaining civility and professionalism in the practice of law. “Changes in the family, especially ones involving legal proceedings, are always challenging. Our job as attorneys is to take as much of the burden off our clients as possible, and also reassure them that...

Emma Tillotson did not know she would find her calling in family law. Emma received her undergraduate degree from Clemson University cum laude in Psychology and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology. She left her home state of South Carolina to attend the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University, where she graduated cum laude. During her legal studies she found her passion representing people going through difficult family transitions. She participated in the family law clinic representing underprivileged residents of Raleigh in their family law needs, was an active member of Law Students Against Sexual Assault...

Julia received a BA in Criminology and BA in Sociology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Julia went on to earn her J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (N/K/A Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School), in Lansing, Michigan. During law school, Julia competed in the Mock Trial First Year Competition and was a semifinalist. She also competed in Moot Court and was a finalist in the Negotiations Competition. During her last semester of law school, Julia completed an externship at the Durham County Public Defender’s Office. Julia is an associate attorney in the Family Law department. Julia focuses...

Anthony’s dedication to service began at 17, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Yeoman. Over the course of his military career, he deployed twice to the Middle East and once to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, ultimately retiring from the JAG Corps. As a JAG officer, Anthony prosecuted several courts-martial and advised on multi-million-dollar contracts and large-scale environmental impact projects. After earning his law degree, Anthony began his civilian legal career with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago—the second-largest prosecutor’s office in the nation—where he handled 10 to 30 hearings a day for 18 months. Assigned to the...

Following a successful 15-year career managing several well-known retail stores throughout the country, Mr. Lundell decided to refocus his passion for customer service and apply it to the practice of law. His determination to provide superior “customer” – or client – service is the keystone of his relationships with each and every client. “Whether carefully guiding parents through a highly emotional child custody dispute, or navigating a conflict between employer and employee, it is important to me that the people with whom I interact are provided sound legal advice in a language they understand. ‘You have to...

Paul J. Ditz has been practicing law in Cleveland County, NC and surrounding counties for nearly 20 years. He has extensive experience in both criminal and civil courts having tried dozens of cases during that time. As a former prosecutor, he possesses the insight necessary to prepare and present your case successfully and to help you get the best result under the law.

Shaunis Mercer co-owns Peaceful Law with her husband, where together they champion amicable resolutions in family law and comprehensive estate planning. With nearly two decades of legal expertise, Shaunis is passionate about helping her clients achieve clear and peaceful agreements—be it prenuptial, separation, or custody—that protect and honor their family. Her holistic approach to estate planning ensures that her clients' legacies reflect their values and aspirations for generations to come. In addition to her role at Peaceful Law, Shaunis is a respected consultant for other law firm owners. She shares her insights on business growth, client relations, and the delivery of...

Attorney Val Cesanelli handles family law cases for our firm, with a focus on child custody cases and matters arising out of the process of separation and divorce, such as separation agreements and questions of spousal and child support. Val also handles other family related cases, such as paternity actions, legitimations, name changes and changes in birth certificates, as well as provides drafting services of powers of attorneys and simple wills.

Val is as much a litigator as she is a counselor at law for her clients. As a mother of three children and three stepchildren, Val is both professionally and...

Daniel Krchnavek is an attorney licensed to practice law in North Carolina. He is a member of the Wake County Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association. Daniel mostly practices in Chatham, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, and Wake counties. The majority of his practice involves family law, including, but not limited to: adoptions, alimony, child custody, child support, divorce, equitable distribution, guardianships, and postseparation support. When not practicing law, Daniel enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Mark Morris was voted Best Attorney of Rutherford County, North Carolina by the Rutherford County Daily Courier Readers Poll for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. He practices family law, automobile accidents, criminal law and civil litigation in Rutherford, Polk, Cleveland, and McDowell Counties of North Carolina. Mark has also won the Clients Choice Award through Avvo. He fights for his clients' rights to obtain the best results possible.

As a small dedicated law firm, we represent clients involved in marital disputes. Our knowledge of the law allows us to aggressively represent you when you need someone on your side. We represent people who need help in the following Domestic/Family Law areas: family and domestic law including; child custody, support, alimony, divorce, and property distribution.

I feel like practicing Family Law allows me to help people by educating them about the law and by handling complex legal issues on their behalf. I am a part of the third generation of attorneys to practice at Conrad Trosch and Kemmy and am now a partner at the firm. I am a Board Certified Family Law Specialist, and have been trained in collaborative law. I am not a one-trick pony unless the pony is called common sense. I take an approach to my practice that causes me to wear a lot of hats. I am an...

I have practiced law for 29 years and have over that time handled thousands of cases in court. My practice focus is Family Law cases involving child custody, grandparent and third-party custody, divorce, alimony and property distribution.

Mr. Anderson has been a practicing attorney for over twelve years and has represented individuals and corporations in complex, high stakes legal matters throughout his career. He received his law degree, with honors, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After law school, Mr. Anderson honed his legal skills at two of the largest and most prestigious law firms in Atlanta and Charlotte. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Virginia Military Institute and also has a Masters in Business Administration from Old Dominion University. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Anderson served the United States...

I am a North Carolina native who was born in Marion, but grew up in Rutherfordton. While I was truly blessed to be raised in a loving, caring, and stable home, I realized at a young age that not everyone had that opportunity and always had a heart to help my friends who were hurting. Upon graduating high school, I began working with my father who has a real estate office in Bat Cave, North Carolina, while at the same time, attending Gardner-Webb University. I was seeking what direction to go with my career. At the...

Leigh Ballenger Sellers is a partner at Krusch & Sellers, P.A. She is Board Certified by the North Carolina State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization and is a certified mediator. She is accomplished in her field and can offer succinct, comprehensive legal guidance. She began her legal career after obtaining her law degree at The University of South Carolina School of Law by working as a Staff Attorney with the South Carolina Supreme Court. She entered private practice in Columbia, SC in the field of family law. She is a member of many distinguished organizations such as the...