Watauga County Family Lawyers

Serving North Carolina, Boone and the High Country since 1987

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...

Deirdre A. Farrington is a family law attorney and NCDRC-certified family financial mediator in Boone, North Carolina. She accepts cases in Watauga County and surrounding counties, including Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties. She is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, the Watauga County Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar, and the Florida Bar Association.

Divorce is tough. There’s no way around it. Divorce is stressful, intensely emotional, and overwhelming. It is the perfect storm of problems, from determining child custody arrangements, divvying up assets, and untangling previously tangled lives.

There’s where I come in. I’m Dustin McCrary, a divorce lawyer focusing on the needs of divorce and separation, child custody, child support, alimony and spousal support, property distribution, and domestic violence. And I’m here to help.

My clients would tell you that I have the natural ability to put them at ease. I have a calming presence and genuinely care about every person I meet. I’m...

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.

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...

Brian W. King is the senior partner and managing attorney of King Law Offices, PLLC. He has been practicing law for more than a decade, and is a lifelong resident of Rutherford County. Brian is a member of the North and South Carolina bars, and maintains active cases in both states. Brian is a graduate of Campbell Law School and completed his undergraduate degree at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 2009, Brian became a North Carolina Certified Family Law Specialist. He is one of a small select group of North Carolina Family Law attorneys who have achieved this distinction....

The Law Office of Kelli Y. Allen provides personalized, comprehensive professional legal services. Kelli represents immigration clients worldwide. Her immigration law practice focuses on family-based visas, adjustment of status, consular processing, unlawful presence waivers, naturalization, DACA, U-visas, removal of conditions, and some non-immigrant employment visas. Kelli is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association and previously clerked with the Charlotte Immigration Court. Our North Carolina elder law practice consists of long-term care planning, asset protection, establishing long-term care Medicaid eligibility without having to "spend down", preparation and submission of NC long-term care Medicaid applications, and representation before the Department...

Angela McIlveen is the CEO and Co-Founder of McIlveen Family Law Firm.

The first thing you will notice when you meet Angela McIlveen is that she genuinely cares about her clients and the clients of the Firm.

Maybe it’s because she remembers going through her parents’ nasty divorce when she was 6 years old. Angela knows that her parents' divorce impacted her life. Angela McIlveen remembers growing up with her dad when kids didn’t grow up with their fathers and she says it definitely shaped her life. In case you are wondering, no her mom wasn’t a bad person. Her...

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 am originally from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from North Carolina Central University in 2003 with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Psychology. I obtained my Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2006. I than began work with Legal Aid of North Carolina. While at Legal Aid, I served as a staff attorney representing clients in housing, employment, education, and consumer matters. I also served as the director of Legal Aid’s statewide Bankruptcy team. In October of 2011, I began work with Mike Lewis Attorneys. There...

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...

To R. Anthony “Tony” Hartsoe, the law has always felt like a calling, not a job. He loves helping people through some of the toughest moments in their lives. With a family of his own and work experience that dates back to when he was 12 years old, Tony can relate to many of his clients and utilizes his knowledge to aggressively represent them with strength and integrity. He received his Bachelor of the Arts Degree from Oral Roberts University before attending Washington University School of Law. Tony graduated with a Juris Doctor Degree in 1994. Attorney Hartsoe has worked...

“Board Certified Specialist” in family law by The North Carolina State Bar – 2006 to present

Rated “AV” Preeminent (Judicial Edition), the Highest Possible Rating in both legal abilities and ethical standards reflecting the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and Judiciary – Martindale-Hubble / Lexis-Nexis – 2013 to present

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...

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...

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. 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...

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.

Was born and raised in Charlotte, NC.

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...

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...

Patrick McCroskey is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and an American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Fellow. He limits his family law practice to complex matters surrounding separation and divorce. As a Certified Family Financial Mediator, Patrick provides services to other family law attorneys and their clients through mediation, and to the community at large in his capacity as Buncombe County Certified Parenting Coordinator.

Since 2007, Patrick has been continuously recognized by Best Lawyers in America, and named the Family Law Lawyer of the Year for Asheville in 2015, 2017, and 2020. He has been named to North...

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...

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.

Courtney Roller is a licensed North Carolina attorney and counselor at law. She earned her law degree from Elon University School of Law. Prior to law school, Courtney attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a B.A. in journalism and mass communication. She is a certified legal observer with the National Lawyers Guild and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Red4NC. In 2013 Courtney was recognized by the National Association of Women Lawyers for her achievements, motivation and drive. in 2015, Courtney was elected secretary of the District 22b Bar Association. She is a member...

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...

Mr. Payne is the CEO & Managing Partner of Apple Payne Law, PLLC, which he co-founded with retired attorney Bill Apple after owning his own firm Payne Law, PLLC. Mr. Payne's practice areas are estate planning, probate & business advising, and the firm also has family law and real estate teams to serve the full family's needs. Mr. Payne started the practice of law when he founded Payne Law, PLLC after graduation from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 2011. Before attending Wake Forest University School of Law, Mr. Payne attended Florida Coastal School of Law, where he was...

I will try any case, anytime, anywhere, if the cause is just.

Born: 1950, Gastonia, North Carolina Wife: Mary Elizabeth Kelso

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...

Janet Amburgey is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. Since graduating from Appalachian School of Law in 2008 she has focused her practice exclusively on family law matters, assisting people through family chaos, ensuring the protection of their rights and property and helping to blend and expand families. She has represented clients in divorce and separation with issues surrounding child custody, child support, alimony, and in property settlement matters. She also assists families through adoption, name changes and protects parents and children in both domestic violence matters and DSS matters. Janet believe’s problem-solving is a primary responsibility...

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.

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,...

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.