Gastonia divorce lawyers handle contested and uncontested matters with a focus on custody, child support, equitable distribution, alimony, mediation, and collaborative divorce.
Alexander French is a family law attorney at McIlveen Family Law Firm serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Alexander French helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Alexander French serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Blake Caulder is a family law attorney at Caulder & Valentine Law Firm, PLLC serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Blake Caulder helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Blake Caulder serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Cliff Cannon is a family law attorney at Gaston Legal Clinic: Cliff Cannon serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Cliff Cannon helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Cliff Cannon serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Geoffrey A. Planer is a family law attorney at The Law Office of Geoffrey A. Planer serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Geoffrey A. Planer helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Geoffrey A. Planer serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Joy M. Chappell is a family law attorney at Stott, Hollowell, Windham & Stancil, PLLC – Gastonia serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Joy M. Chappell helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Joy M. Chappell serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Laura Crawford is a family law attorney at Law Office of Laura Crawford serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Laura Crawford helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Laura Crawford serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Lauren E. Lowry is a family law attorney at Kenny & Lowry, P.L.L.C. serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Lauren E. Lowry helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Lauren E. Lowry serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Lloyd T. Kelso is a family law attorney at Lloyd T. Kelso, Attorney At Law serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Lloyd T. Kelso helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Lloyd T. Kelso serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Regina M. Taylor is a family law attorney at Law Offices of Regina M. Taylor, P.C. serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Regina M. Taylor helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Regina M. Taylor serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Thomas Kakassy is a family law attorney at Kakassy Law, PLLC serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Thomas Kakassy helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Thomas Kakassy serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Tyler Niblett is a family law attorney at Neece Law Firm serving clients in Gastonia, NC and Gaston County. The practice covers Divorce & Family Law. Clients get clear guidance on District Court filing basics, service of process, case management orders, mediation, collaborative options, and consent orders. Tyler Niblett helps organize disclosures and discovery for equitable distribution and property division, calculate guideline child support where applicable, and assess post separation support and alimony based on need and ability to pay. Matters are handled with practical steps such as temporary orders when needed, parenting plans centered on best interests, and settlement paths that reduce conflict and cost. Resources include local court calendars, clerk of court instructions, and North Carolina mediation programs. Tyler Niblett serves people who need a divorce lawyer, child custody lawyer, child support lawyer, or domestic violence lawyer and connects legal strategy to day to day decisions.
Choose a divorce lawyer in Gastonia, NC by focusing on fit, experience, and cost clarity: build a short list of family law attorneys who practice in your local District Court and verify state bar license, disciplinary record, and if possible board certified family law specialist status.
In the initial consultation confirm case fit for child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support or alimony, equitable distribution or property division, and complex assets like business valuation, real estate, stock compensation, and retirement accounts that require a QDRO. Ask about strategy for settlement, mediation, collaborative divorce, discovery, temporary orders, protective orders, and trial.
Evaluate communication, who does the work attorney, associate, or paralegal, response time, and whether there is a secure client portal. Get a written fee agreement that explains retainer, hourly rates, flat fee options, billing increments, expert costs, and realistic timelines. Bring tax returns, pay stubs, bank and brokerage statements, insurance, prior orders, and a parenting plan to speed up the review. Run a conflict check and confirm attorney client privilege. Choose the lawyer who explains next steps in plain language, knows local procedures and case management orders, offers transparent pricing, and provides a clear path from intake to mediation or trial.
What are the typical costs, fees, and timelines for an Absolute Divorce and contested family law cases in North Carolina District Court?
Costs and timelines in North Carolina depend on case type and county docket. An Absolute Divorce requires one year of separation and six months of residency, and an uncontested divorce is often handled with a flat fee plus filing fee and service of process, with a timeline of weeks that varies by District Court calendar and local rules.
Contested family law matters drive both cost and length, especially child custody, parenting time, child support, post separation support, alimony, and equitable distribution or property division. Expect a written fee agreement that explains retainer, hourly rate, flat fee options, billing increments, and estimated expenses. Common expenses include mediator fees, discovery costs, court reporter, expert witnesses such as a forensic accountant for business valuation, a real estate appraiser, a vocational expert, and QDRO preparation for retirement accounts, and in some cases a guardian ad litem.
The typical path runs from intake to filing in District Court, service, temporary orders when needed, disclosures and discovery, case management order, mediation or collaborative divorce, settlement conference, consent order, and if needed trial, with possible continuances. Timelines vary with complexity and cooperation, so ask your attorney for a projected schedule from filing to mediation or trial and confirm how fees, costs, and updates will be handled.
North Carolina Court & Filing Basics
Family law cases in North Carolina are heard in District Court. To start, file a Complaint and Civil Summons with the Clerk of Superior Court in the proper venue (usually a party’s county of residence) and pay the filing fee.
Proper service of process by sheriff or certified mail triggers a 30-day deadline to file an Answer and counterclaims; many litigants also file a Notice of Appearance and request a 30-day extension. Preserve rights by filing Equitable Distribution, Post Separation Support, and Alimony before Absolute Divorce; you may also seek child custody, child support, and temporary orders.
Expect a case management order, disclosures, discovery, mandatory mediation in many counties, possible collaborative law, then consent order, hearing, or trial, scheduled under local rules and the District Court calendar. Some counties use eCourts eFiling; always follow the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure and check the Clerk of Superior Court for forms and fees.
Next steps
Shortlist a few lawyers from the list, open popups for details, then book consultations. Bring finances summary, parenting concerns, and prior orders.