McDowell County Family Lawyers

Practice Area Breakdown:
80% Family Law - separation, divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, equitable distribution
20% Estate Planning - wills, living wills, trusts, power of attorneys

I am a native of Charlotte and graduated from Myers Park High School. After college and law school, I moved back to Charlotte and served as a police officer, and as an officer in the N.C. Army National Guard. I focus my law practice primarily on family law and estate planning.

I live in Huntersville with my wife and our four children. We both have children from previous relationships, and one child together. I thoroughly...

Born and raised in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Ronnie Crisco is a proud alumnus of A.L. Brown High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a degree in Public Policy Studies. In 2002, he received his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005. While in law school, Mr. Crisco competed nationally as a member of the UNC Mock Trial Team, assisted indigent clients through the UNC Civil Legal Assistance Clinic, and served as editor on the UNC Journal of Law and Technology.

Mr. Crisco is a Board Certified Specialist in Family...

I represent clients going through divorce and family law issues, including separation agreements and prenuptial/premarital agreements, alimony, equitable distribution, child support and custody. I mediate cases for spouses that cannot reach a resolution on their own. My divorce practice across North Carolina gives me a wide range of experience on how judges rule.

I created a free downloadable North Carolina Child Support Calculator which reflects North Carolina's statutes. This can be found by contacting our firm.

Other attorneys also hire me to mediate their clients' disputes prior to going to court. I advance the practice and knowledge of law for...

Mr. Harris was born and raised in Charlotte along with his eight brothers and sisters. After attending Piedmont Open Middle, he attended and graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Virginia. Mr. Harris then attended Duke University, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Before attending law school, Mr. Harris taught ninth and tenth grade World History in Limestone, Tennessee and Rome, Georgia, where he was also a Resident Dorm Master and coached various sports teams, including the 1999 Lacrosse State Championship team.

Mr. Harris attended Duke University for law school, where he participated on a National...

I am an attorney based in Gastonia, NC, practicing family law remotely with King Law Offices. Since I started practicing, I have devoted my energy to trying to efficiently resolve family law cases. I became a NCDRC Certified Mediator for Family Financial cases in 2017 and a NC Board Certified Family Law Specialist in 2020. Clients often come to lawyers when they are stressed or anxious. I truly enjoy helping clients and my best reward is to bring them relief from whatever legal problem they are facing. Please call for a...

Mr. Arnold is an experienced trial attorney who has tried bench and jury trials in both North Carolina District Court and North Carolina Superior Court and has argued cases in front of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, VA. Mr. Arnold grew up in Charlotte, and attended Carmel Junior High, South Charlotte Middle, and graduated from Providence Senior High School. Mr. Arnold earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology graduating cum laude from Belmont Abbey College where he received a basketball scholarship and played varsity basketball...

Joel C. Harbinson attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1977 with an A.B. degree and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law in 1979 with a J.D. degree. He has been self-employed since 1979 as a criminal, domestic, and personal injury attorney in Taylorsville. In addition, Joel is a certified mediator in Superior Court cases, receiving accreditation from the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission in 1998, and is a certified arbitrator in District Court cases. Joel is the former President of the 22nd Judicial District Bar Association (1987-1988, 1999-2000) and a...

Courtney Carter is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has resided in the Charlotte area since 2011. Prior to relocating to Charlotte, Courtney pursued her undergraduate degree at Kent State University. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Management with a focus of Pre-Law in three years. During her time at Kent State University, Courtney had the opportunity to perform an internship with one of Pennsylvania’s State Senators. During Courtney’s time with the Senator’s office, she was able to assist constituents with government assistance programs, as well as organize events for children, veterans and senior citizens.

While in law...

Mr. McArdle has lived in Charlotte since 1979. He attended Saint Gabriel Catholic School and Charlotte Catholic High School. Mr. McArdle continued his education at the University of North Carolina. At Chapel Hill, he played on the Junior Varsity Basketball Team and served on the UNC Supreme Court. He also received recognition for being an All-ACC Student Athlete. After graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science, Mr. McArdle attended law school at Campbell University.

Mr. McArdle returned to Charlotte in 1995 and has been representing clients in Charlotte and the surrounding Charlotte region since. In 2015 he became a...

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...

I have worked in the legal field, in several capacities for a total of nine years. I attended, and graduated from Saint Leo University in Florida, with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies. During and after college I worked in the legal field, in both the private and public sectors, including the United States Attorney’s Office. Then, I went on to graduate from the Charlotte School of Law and is an active member of the North Carolina Bar. While attending law school, I participated in various internships in both the private and public sectors, including the Union County District Attorney’s...

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...

In developing my philosophy in how I practice law, I realized from the beginning that people are coming to me because they need help and they trust me to help them in their time of need. I enjoy doing what I do because it provides me with an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Quick Facts about Eric Eric is a scratch golfer. Eric is an avid University of Tennessee football fan.

My main area of practice is Immigration Law. I am the son of Immigrants. However, I also, handle uncontested divorce, criminal defense for most misdemeanors, name changes and legitimation, personal injury and workers compensation.

Valerie grew up in Alabama and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During her undergraduate studies, Valerie became interested in the study and practice of law. She went on to attend the Charlotte School of Law, where she served as the president of the Trial Advocacy Board and had the opportunity to try cases in front of attorneys and judges across the country. Valerie has furthered her experience in the practice of law through her work with the nationally recognized Cochran Firm; and she has gained perspective from the bench by clerking...

I help people with the following types of cases: • Divorces (with and without children), • Modifications of prior court orders, • Contempt actions (when a party is not following a court’s order), • Father’s rights (legitimations, visitation rights, custody, and child support), • Grandparent visitation, and • TPOs (Temporary Protective Orders). I listen to my clients and work towards making their wishes a reality. I am also honest with my...

Charlotte Wills, Trusts, Probate Law, Estate Planning; Guardianships, Elder Law, Special Needs Planning, Asset Protection; Business Succession Planning; Estate, Gift and Income Taxation; Estate Administration; Business Law Mecklenburg County (Member, Tax Section) and North Carolina (Citizen-Lawyer Task Force) Bar Associations; South Carolina Bar (Member, Tax Section); Charlotte Women's Bar Association (Board Member; Secretary; Treasurer; Vice President; President, Past Chair); American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (Member, Taxation Committee); Institute of Management Accountants; Charlotte Christian Chamber; Women's Initiative Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western and Central North Carolina; Carolina Foster Kids Foundation Director. Order of the...

Zachary D. Jackson graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Prior to attending Law School, Mr. Jackson graduated Magna Cum Laude from Campbell University where he majored in Business Administration with a Specialty in Trust and Investment Management and minored in Financial Planning. Mr. Jackson also received his Masters in Business Administration from Campbell University. Mr. Jackson worked for several years as a Trust Officer with Bank of America prior to attending law school. Prior to opening his own law practice, Mr. Jackson worked with two law firms and held an...

Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina I learned to focus my energy on finding a solution rather than worrying about the problem. This mindset inevitably led me to my profession as an attorney. I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a business degree in Economics. I immediately began work in the financial field helping people navigate the world of small business loans. The following year I received the Fourth Ward Scholarship to attend Charlotte School of Law. While attending Charlotte School of Law I had the opportunity to gain valuable experience through internships with the Mecklenburg...

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...

Originally from Poughkeepsie, NY, Tom now calls Charlotte, NC home with his wife and four kids. A seasoned criminal defense and family law trial attorney, Tom has made a name for himself in handling extremely contentious custody cases and high-level felonies. He has handled cases in both federal and state courts. Tom went to law school at Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, VA, where he graduated cum laude. While in school Tom interned at the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia. While at the USAO, Tom helped prosecute all levels of criminal cases, from misdemeanor...

From the time I was a young girl, I always dreamed of opening my own business. My desire to learn more about business led me to attend Manhattan College for undergraduate school, where I majored in Finance and Managerial Science with a minor in Marketing. In college, I discovered my fascination with the law and realized that I wanted to build a career where I could work with clients directly and have the opportunity to help people when they need it most. I graduated from the school of business with my bachelor's degree one year early, and I immediately went...

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.

Ashley Crowder is a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist who has focused her practice on Appeals, Civil Appeals, Criminal Appeals, Post Judgment Relief, Post-Conviction Relief, MAR, Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Equitable Distribution, Alimony, Post Separation Support, Prenup, Postnup, Separation Agreements, Termination of Parental Rights. She is passionate about working with clients to ensure they understand their options and actively participate in their representation.

Anastasia Cowan pursued her undergraduate degree at Ohio State University. She was a resident advisor, a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, and a member of the Women’s Glee Club.

W. Carey Parker was born and raised in Statesville, North Carolina. After law school he returned to Statesville to join his father, David P. Parker, practicing law. Carey represents clients in the areas of family law, land litigation, civil litigation and estate planning and probate. Carey is heavily involved in the community he lives in - serving on several non-profit boards and as an elder at his church.

Born: 1950, Gastonia, North Carolina Wife: Debra S. Kelso

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...

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.

Ron is the founder of Skufca Law and leads the firm’s litigation group representing businesses and individuals in the areas of business, construction, motorsports, and family law. He has substantial experience in the construction industry, NASCAR, and advising a wide range of businesses in all aspects of their legal issues. Ron currently serves as outside general counsel to several of his long-time business clients while continuing to work with individuals starting their own business or to resolve disputes that may arise. Ron is dedicated to helping both new and longtime business owners in a cost effective and efficient manner. Some...

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...

Dealing with family law issues can be overwhelming—especially if you are looking to file for divorce. The Collins Family Law Group is a law firm committed to helping individuals file for divorce and find solutions for their other family law matters. The team has over 85+ years combined legal experience, and has the ability to take on even the most complicated cases. If you are about to file for divorce, the team can assist you; regardless of if your situation calls for mediation, negotiation, or litigation. The team understands how difficult and emotionally draining it can be to file for...

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Attorney Rob Nye graduated from The Citadel with a B.A. in History (Honors) and then Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware, earning his Juris Doctorate. Before entering the private sector of practice, Rob served his country as an Infantry and JAG officer in the United States Army. He deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. While on active duty, Rob was lead counsel in over 30 trials, and gained invaluable experience zealously advocating for his clients. Rob has...

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...