Vance County Family Lawyers

Matthew Stauff believes the practice of law is a privilege that requires him to fight for those needing advocacy during life’s most trying times. He represents clients in divorce proceedings, child custody hearings, and defends those who have been wrongfully terminated from their jobs. During his nearly seven years with Legal Aid of North Carolina he developed extensive experience in family law, employment law, and civil litigation. While court is an option in many cases, Matthew believes that working matters out amicably through settlement leads towards a longer lasting outcome that is more cost-effective and efficient outcome.

Born and raised in...

Bobby Mills is the principal in the Law Office of Bobby D. Mills, PLLC and a Fellow in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Bobby is an experienced adoption lawyer and Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. Since 1991, Bobby has concentrated in adoption, surrogacy, family building, and family law related matters. His clients are adoptive parents, birth parents, and individuals seeking to build their families through surrogacy and other assisted reproductive technologies.. He formerly co-directed a private adoption agency and has represented adoption agencies and professionals. He has extensive experience in agency and independent adoptions, stepparent, relative and grandparent...

Jill Schnabel Jackson originally is from Wisconsin. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in 1996. Ms. Jackson graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1999. While in law school, Ms. Jackson was a staff member for the North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation and a member of the Holderness Moot Court National Team. She also received the Gressman-Pollitt Award for outstanding oral advocacy during her first year of law school. Before joining the firm, Ms. Jackson served for two years as a law clerk to the Honorable...

Jaye Meyer is listed in the Best Lawyers in America® and North Carolina Super Lawyers®. Ms Meyer received the Super Lawyers award for Top 50 Women Lawyers in North Carolina from 2010-2014, and Top 100 Lawyers in 2011. She has been recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the “Legal Elite” in North Carolina. Ms. Meyer is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is certified as a Family Financial Mediator.

Ms. Meyer was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1990. She received her B.A. cum laude from...

For over 20 years, Julie has effectively advocated for individuals in family law matters in Durham and Orange County courts. A Mediator and Collaborative Divorce practitioner, she is a skilled and experienced negotiator, using creative problem-solving techniques to achieve excellent results. Julie graduated from UNC Law School in 1990. Following her association with the Durham law firm of Pulley, Watson, King & Lischer, she established her own family law practice in 1997. Focuses on finding practical, efficient solutions to her clients' legal problems, Julie helps her clients minimize financial difficulties and uncertainties and reduce parenting conflicts...

Family law has been Elizabeth's passion for over 20 years. She enjoys learning her client’s story, as this allows her to dig deep to discover their goals and work with them to develop a winning strategy. That means sitting face to face, when possible, and sharing the pros and cons of their case. Family law cases are often times filled with bitter emotions and resentment, and Elizabeth won’t sugar coat it. She’s upfront and honest about the likely outcome. Every case has its good and bad, and her job is to put her client’s facts and circumstances in the best...

Evan Horwitz was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1997 and graduated from the Norman A. Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2001. While in law school, Mr. Horwitz was the managing editor of the Campbell Law Review. After graduating, Mr. Horwitz served as a law clerk to Justice Robert F. Orr at the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Prior to joining Tharrington Smith in 2008, Mr. Horwitz spent almost six years as an associate at Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A., where he was a member of the firm’s litigation section practicing...

It doesn’t take more than a phone call to learn that this Asheville native is a tenacious, straight-talking lawyer who won’t back down from your fight.

Kathleen has an uncanny ability to meld unembellished honesty with compassion. You will always know what to expect on the road ahead–and no matter the challenge–you’ll feel confident knowing Kathleen is on your team.

After graduating from Campbell University Law School, Kathleen worked alongside some of the most respected family law attorneys in the Triangle. Absorbing her colleagues’ tenured wisdom and meshing it with her own style, Kathleen has helped clients find hope–even when they had...

William Vásquez is a native of Queens, NY. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2000-2007. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and received the Joint Service Achievement Medal for his work as a Spanish linguist for the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2005. William graduated from Campbell University in 2007 with a degree in computer science. He earned his J.D. in 2011 from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. His practice areas include immigration law and criminal defense cases. He is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of North Carolina and...

Whether you are going through a separation and divorce, have suffered personal injuries as a result of an auto accident, or have pending criminal charges or a traffic ticket or need a Will drawn up or you need a probate attorney to help administer an estate, Tim G. Fowler is available to help you get the results that you both want and need. Tim has over 21 years of experience helping clients just like you. He is a knowledgeable, skilled, and determined attorney with attorney's fees that are fair and reasonable. Just as importantly, he is also a good person...

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...

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...

With over a decade of experience practicing family law in the Triangle area, she has cultivated a stellar reputation for her genuine kindness and unwavering dedication to her clients' well-being. Holly's approach is deeply rooted in building meaningful relationships with each of her clients. By understanding their individual priorities, she crafts tailored case strategies that reflect their needs. Armed with a formidable skill set in negotiation and litigation, she consistently goes above and beyond for her clients at Breeden Law, earning admiration for her thorough preparation and tireless advocacy.

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...

Having been born and raised in the state of North Carolina, Travis Taylor went on to earn both his B.A. degree and J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Now, as a partner of law firm Marshall & Taylor PLLC, Taylor focuses his practice primarily on family law matters. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal district courts in North Carolina and is well prepared to effectively assist his clients. If you are currently struggling with divorce or other family law issues, contact Taylor today and learn how he can help you.

Rhonda Young was born and raised in North Carolina. She is an experienced courtroom litigator and practices in all areas of Family Law and Social Security Disability. Rhonda keeps clients focused on what matters – achievable results that puts the client in the best position.

Rhonda is an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association, Wake County Bar Association and 10th Judicial District. She serves on the Wake County Bar CLE Committee and the 10th Judicial District’s Fee Dispute Committee.

The Law Offices of David Hinson is a general practice law firm focusing primarily on family law, including collaborative divorce law, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Law Offices of David Hinson provides high-quality, cost-efficient, effective legal services to protect your rights and help you navigate the challenges and complexities of your legal needs. Whether you are facing divorce, separation, child custody or child support disputes, or simply have questions about your divorce or custody issue, call the Law Offices of David Hinson to schedule a consultation and learn more about how you can put our experience and dedication to...

Kristopher J. Hilscher is a board certified specialist in family law. He practices family law exclusively (child custody, divorce, alimony, child support, and equitable distribution). Military family law is a special emphasis as Kris routinely serves as an expert on military family law, and is a frequent author and speaker at legal education conferences and seminars on the topic. Kris has gone to trial on numerous extensive family law cases, including several multiple day trials and trials involving expert witnesses. Kris is the co-chair of the military committee of the ABA family law section, and serves...

A native of Texas, Mr. Hopper was born in Beaumont and graduated from Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas. Mr. Hopper then attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1989. Immediately following, Mr. Hopper attended Texas Tech University School of Law, and in 1993, graduated Doctor of Jurisprudence.

Subsequent to his graduation from law school, Mr. Hopper relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina where, in 1994, he opened his own practice and has since been practicing law within Wake County and the greater Triangle area.

Currently, Mr. Hopper maintains a trial practice concentrating...

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...

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...

Steven is a member of the Family Law Section of Herring & Mills, PLLC. He graduated with a BS in Business Administration from Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey and went on to earn his JD with an emphasis in Tax Law from the University of Arizona College of Law. Steven is currently licensed to practice in North Carolina and New Jersey and previously worked in Chapel Hill building a private practice and acting as a GAL conflict attorney for Orange and Chatham counties. He also held positions as a mortgage broker and account manager before returning to private...

While Patrick’s jury trial experience ranges from personal injury defense to alienation of affections actions, he’s developed a passion for domestic violence, equitable distribution and spousal support cases. For those who know him it makes perfect sense;1) he’s a numbers guy and 2) he was raised to fight for the “little guys.”

Patrick is a founding partner at Batch, Poore, & Williams. His practice areas are focused in family, divorce, domestic violence, criminal/traffic law, and civil litigation. He is also a certified parent coordinator.

Mr. Williams received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State...

Associate Attorney Breeden Law Office · Full-time Dec 2022 - Present · 1 yr 4 mosDec 2022 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos Senior Compliance Associate Fairview® Investment Services May 2021 - Nov 2022 · 1 yr 7 mos Law Clerk; Public Defender Allen County Public Defender · Full-time Aug 2020 - Dec 2020 · 5 mos Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Law Clerk; Public Defender Marion County Public Defender’s Agency May 2018 - Aug 2020 · 2 yrs 4 mos Indianapolis, Indiana Contracts Team Associate Government Acquisitions · Part-time Jan 2020 - Aug 2020 · 8 mosJ Indiana, United States

My law partner and myself have been practicing law in Wake County for 20 years. We are a small law firm that gives individualized attention to our client's when they need it most.

Divorce and family law attorney, James Tyler Brooks, represents residents of Raleigh, Cary, Apex and Durham, North Carolina in all aspects of divorce including: absolute divorce, spousal support (e.g., post separation support and alimony), child custody, child support and property division (equitable distribution).

For more than a decade, attorney Autumn Osbourne has provided skilled representation to North Carolina families in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. She is Board Certified by the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization - a distinction held by less than 2% of all family law practitioners in the state - and has been recognized for her work by independent attorney rating organizations including but not limited to Thomson Reuters' and Avvo. However, for Autumn, the practice of law involves more than zealously advocating on behalf of clients and adhering to the profession's rules of ethics. "I feel every family...

An established law firm based in Midtown Raleigh, Midtown Divorce & Family Law is a family owned domestic litigation practice providing high-quality legal services at affordable rates in the family law areas of separation, divorce, post separation support and alimony, child custody, child support, domestic violence, wills and other estate documents, and appeals.

I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania called Zelienople with five older siblings. In high school, I was a member of the marching band, SVTV (our television broadcast club), Thespians (our drama club), and the Honor Society. I was very active in high school theater. I graduated from Seneca Valley High School with honors and enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, main campus where I studied English Literature, psychology and theatre arts. I spent my free time at the university theater or learning to play pool at the student union. I also was a founding...

Annie Edmond is licensed to practice law in Florida and North Carolina. She is committed to the idea that no one should be lost in the shuffle of justice and continuously strives to advocate for her clients. Ms. Edmond is continuously involved in the community by assisting in pro bono efforts through Legal Aid, Justice Mattes and Wills for Heroes. Ms. Edmond received her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School and her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Florida. While in law school, she was an active member of the Public Interest Law Organization,...

I devote my practice to working with clients in family law matters, including premarital agreements, domestic partnership agreements, separation and property settlement agreements, qualified domestic relations orders, appeals, and litigation involving equitable distribution, alimony, child support and child custody. I understand the financial and emotional vulnerabilities of my clients, and I use my experience with alternative dispute resolution to resolve many disputes without litigation.

Scott has lived in North Carolina all his life. He attended N.C State with hopes of becoming a scientist and then decided to study politics and philosophy. Scott graduated with highest honors in 1990 with double-major in political science and philosophy and for a brief time he considered graduate school in philosophy to be followed by a career teaching.

However, while at N.C. State he took a part-time job at a law office that did family law and quickly decided to go to law school and come back to that office and practice family law in Raleigh. In 1994 he graduated...

Kelly was born and raised in North Carolina, and currently lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina with her wife and daughter. Kelly has worked with the seriously mentally ill, at risk youth, troubled families, domestic violence aggressors and victims and as an intake counselor for a four county area in NC. She has extensive training as a mediator As an attorney, she has represented defendants with serious felony offenses through negotiated pleas or jury trials to verdict. She has represented a wide variety of clients in negotiated and litigated family law matters and believes that negotiation should always be pursued...

Attorney Justin Nichols practices family, personal injury, and criminal law in Chatham, Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties. He joined Averett Family Law in 2012, after practicing in the fields of personal injury defense, workers’ compensation, and complex construction litigation.

Justin has extensive experience in the courtroom litigating cases, as well as helping clients negotiate out-of-court settlements. He has handled cases before state administrative agencies, the state superior and district courts, the North Carolina Justin Nichols Associate Attorney Pittsboro Siler City Court of Appeals, and the federal district court.

Justin graduated cum laude from Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh, North Carolina,...

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.

With an engineering degree and MBA, I started my career as an in-house consultant in the aerospace industry. After a few years I transitioned to engineering and consulting positions in other industries. Eventually I returned to college for a law degree and have been a courtroom lawyer for more than 20 years.

David has been a trusted advisor to businesses, individuals and families since 1990 in a wide range of legal practice areas. This breadth of experience brings depth and to his advice and informs his decision making across all his areas of practice. David spent 10 years practicing business, family law, estate planning and probate in Seattle, WA and then attended the Georgetown School of Law where he obtained a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M) in Taxation with honors. He is included in Best Lawyers in America Trust and Estates Section.

David has represented and is currently representing clients is a wide...