North Carolina Divorce Lawyers & Family Law Attorneys
Serious family law representation when it matters most.
When your children, finances and future are uncertain, you need clear advice, a deliberate strategy and attorneys prepared to negotiate or fight in court.
Call (877) 351-1513 · In-person, phone and Zoom consultations
Specialist certifications are awarded by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.
Family-law counsel built around what matters most
Every family and every case is different. Our attorneys help you understand the law, evaluate your options and develop a strategy tailored to your goals.
Divorce
Strategic guidance through separation, negotiation, mediation and litigation.
Child Custody
Focused representation for parenting plans, custody disputes and modifications.
Property Division
Careful analysis of marital assets, businesses, retirement and complex finances.
Alimony & Support
Practical advice on support exposure, entitlement and long-term financial impact.
High-Asset Divorce
Sophisticated strategy for business interests, investments and substantial estates.
More Family Matters
Domestic violence, adoption, mediation, agreements, grandparents’ rights and more.
Protect what you have built and the people you love.
Thoughtful estate planning gives your family clear direction and helps protect the people, property and businesses that matter to you. Our attorneys help North Carolina individuals and families plan ahead and navigate the responsibilities that follow a death.
We can help you evaluate wills and trusts, prepare powers of attorney and health-care directives, and address probate and estate-administration needs.
Wills & Trusts
Create a plan for distributing assets, caring for loved ones and carrying out your wishes.
Essential Documents
Plan for financial and health-care decisions with powers of attorney and advance directives.
Probate & Administration
Guidance for executors, administrators and families handling a loved one’s estate.
Prepared for court. Focused on your future.
Strong negotiation begins with thorough preparation. We build each case with the evidence, financial analysis and legal strategy needed to reach a settlement, and when settlement cannot be reached, we are ready for court.
- An attorney and a paralegal on every case. A coordinated team prepares your case, manages the details and keeps you informed.
- North Carolina Board Certified Specialists in Family Law in every office. A credential held by a small fraction of North Carolina attorneys.
- Experience with complex finances. We represent spouses whose cases involve business ownership, real estate, stock, retirement assets and other significant property, including matters that call for business valuations, forensic accountants and other expert witnesses.
- Experience with complex custody cases. Relocation, high-conflict co-parenting, parental fitness questions and disputes that call for custody evaluations or guardians ad litem.
- Depth in alimony and support. We regularly represent both dependent and supporting spouses in postseparation support, alimony and child support cases.
- A strategy shaped by your priorities. Clear advice about your options and the tradeoffs, with your children, your financial security and your long-term goals in view.
A clearer path through a difficult season
From your first call to the final order, this is how we work with you.
Tell us what is happening
Your first conversation is with our intake team. We learn the basics of your situation, check for conflicts, explain the consultation fee and schedule you with the right attorney in the office nearest you.
Meet your attorney
In your consultation, in person, by phone or by video, your attorney listens to what matters most to you, explains how North Carolina law applies to your circumstances and lays out the realistic options and their tradeoffs.
Build the case
Your attorney and paralegal gather the evidence and financial information, prepare the filings and, when a case calls for it, bring in valuation, forensic accounting or custody experts, so every negotiation starts from a position of strength.
Resolve it through negotiation or mediation
Most cases settle. With the case prepared, your attorney negotiates from strength, and where mediation is required or useful, guides you through it toward an agreement you can live with.
If it cannot be settled, we go to court
When the other side will not agree to reasonable terms, you go to trial with an attorney who has prepared for that possibility from the first meeting, and you hear from us at every stage along the way.
Meet Our Firm Leadership
Our partners lead a collaborative legal team with deep experience in negotiation, mediation and courtroom advocacy.
Angela McIlveen
CEO & Partner Attorney
North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law focused on complex divorce, property division and alimony matters.
Sean McIlveen
Co-Founder & Partner Attorney
Experienced family-law attorney, mediator and parent coordinator who helps clients evaluate practical paths toward resolution.
Alexander French
Partner Attorney
North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law experienced in contested custody, complex divorce and financial litigation.
Trusted during life’s most difficult transitions
Clients value clear answers, responsive communication and a legal team that understands what is at stake.
“Angela made everything very easy and smooth. When you are dealing with something like this in your life, you need someone helpful and understanding, and she was all of the above.”
— M.G.C.
“Sean always made time for me and returned my calls or emails promptly. He kept me updated, answered my questions and made sure I understood both the best- and worst-case scenarios.”
— D.S.
“I cannot recommend Alex French highly enough. Their attention to detail, responsiveness, and thoughtful legal strategy were instrumental in achieving outcomes that brought both resolution and peace of mind.”
— S.J.
These testimonials are a sampling of client experiences. Every matter is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Read more client reviews.
Start with practical information
Use our tools and attorney-created resources to better understand the questions that may shape your next decision.
Child Support & Alimony Calculator
Estimate support using our North Carolina calculation tools.
Family-Law Video Library
Watch attorneys explain divorce, custody, support, property and mediation topics.
Estate-Planning Guidance
Learn how wills and trusts differ and what each may accomplish for your family.
Serving families across North Carolina
Meet with us in person, by phone or through Zoom.
Start with clear information.
Important legal decisions are easier when you understand your options and the next practical step.
What family-law matters does McIlveen handle?
Our attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution and property division, mediation, domestic violence, prenuptial and separation agreements, grandparents’ rights, adoption and other North Carolina family-law matters.
Can I meet with an attorney by phone or Zoom?
Yes. New-client consultations are available in person, by phone or through Zoom. The firm has offices in Gastonia, Charlotte and Raleigh and represents clients across North Carolina.
Does the firm handle estate planning and probate?
Yes. McIlveen assists clients with estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health-care directives, probate and estate-administration matters. A consultation can help identify the documents or next steps appropriate for your circumstances.
Will my family-law case have to go to trial?
Not necessarily. Many matters can be resolved through negotiation, mediation or agreement. When litigation is necessary, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for clients in court.
Get clarity before making your next move.
Talk with our team about family law or estate planning.
Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
