North Carolina Divorce Lawyers
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A divorce changes the structure of your life. Financial accounts, parental rights, and property accumulated over years all come into question at once. North Carolina’s divorce statutes set the rules, but how those rules apply to your specific situation depends on the facts of your case, the claims involved, and the steps you take before the divorce is finalized.
At Leitner, Bragg & Griffin, our attorneys handle divorce and family law matters with the precision and preparation we bring to every area of our practice. Our managing partner, Jordan Griffin, is a North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist and Certified Family Financial Mediator, credentials recognized by the North Carolina State Bar and earned through demonstrated performance in this area of law. We represent clients across Charlotte, Monroe, and Raleigh, and we are prepared to protect your interests at every stage of the process.
Why Choose Leitner, Bragg & Griffin as Your Divorce Attorney in North Carolina
All three managing partners at our firm, Tee Leitner, Ellie Bragg, and Jordan Griffin, grew up in Monroe, Union County, attended Monroe High School, and returned after law school to build their practice here. Our attorneys know local courts, local procedures, and the people who work within them, not simply because we are based here, but because this has always been our home.
Business North Carolina named Jordan Griffin Legal Elite for several years. Thomson Reuters named her a Super Lawyer Rising Star. Business North Carolina also named her a North Carolina Trailblazer, and the Union County Chamber of Commerce selected her as a Woman to Watch for 2025. She holds the North Carolina Board Certification in Family Law and the Certified Family Financial Mediator designation, each earned through demonstrated performance in family law cases. When your divorce involves high-conflict issues, complex assets, or a custody dispute with lasting consequences, our firm is prepared to handle it.
Our North Carolina Divorce Lawyers
Our Client Testimonials
“Jordan Griffin was my attorney for all my divorce case. She responded back quickly and answered all questions I had. This is one of the most emotionally draining times of your life and I’m glad I had someone of Jordan’s caliber at my side. Her ‘fancy footwork’ allowed a higher financial gain to my side. Can’t thank her and her office enough.” — Kimberly
“Jordan Griffin was my attorney during my divorce. What was a difficult and confusing time for me, she guided me and helped me understand the process whenever needed. She was prompt on replying back either via email or phone. I also had interactions with the staff as well and everyone was friendly and helpful whenever I had questions. I highly recommend Jordan to others that are going through the same process as I was.” — Libby
“I received excellent legal service, and their expertise helped me achieve a successful outcome in my case. They were VERY thorough!!” — Michelle
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Divorce?
North Carolina law does not require an attorney to file for divorce, but proceeding without one carries real risk. The courts hold you to the same standards as any represented party, and errors in your filings or missed deadlines can permanently affect your rights.
Why Should I Hire a North Carolina Divorce Attorney?
North Carolina divorce law governs complex decisions about property, custody, and financial support, and each area carries rules that are easy to misapply without the right legal background. Property division follows equitable distribution standards that account for how assets were acquired, how they were titled, and how each spouse contributed during the marriage. Custody determinations turn on the best interest of the child, evaluated based on each parent’s relationship with the child, stability, and circumstances. Alimony depends on the length of the marriage, each party’s financial position, and documented marital conduct. Our attorneys know how courts in Charlotte, Monroe, and Raleigh approach each of these issues, and they prepare your case accordingly.
How Can a Divorce Attorney Help Me in North Carolina?
Our attorneys handle the procedural and legal work so you can focus on your life. We file and serve required documents, represent you in mediation and court hearings, negotiate settlements involving property, custody, and support, and advise you on the legal and financial implications of each decision. We also help you identify which claims should be asserted before the court enters the absolute divorce, because some claims, including equitable distribution and alimony, can be lost if they are not properly raised in time.
What Should I Look for When Choosing a Divorce Lawyer?
Look for an attorney with regular experience in North Carolina family law and familiarity with the courts in your area. Board certification in family law is one recognized measure of demonstrated performance in this practice. Review the attorney’s record in contested matters, their approach to negotiation, and what past clients report about communication and responsiveness. Before retaining anyone, confirm the attorney is in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar.
How Much Does a North Carolina Divorce Attorney Charge?
Fees depend on the complexity of the case. Uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all issues may qualify for a flat fee or a modest retainer. Contested cases involving custody, property, or alimony require hourly billing that increases with each hearing, deposition, and negotiation session. Cases with business assets, retirement accounts, or significant financial complexity require more attorney time. Ask about fee structure and billing practices before retaining anyone.
How Can Leitner, Bragg & Griffin Represent You?
Our firm handles the full range of divorce and family law matters across North Carolina. Whether your case settles outside the courtroom or requires full litigation, our attorneys have the knowledge and trial experience to advocate for your interests at every stage.
Divorce & Separation
We handle both contested and uncontested divorces, separation agreements, and all required filings. Whether both parties agree on all terms or disputes require court resolution, our attorneys prepare and manage the process from start to finish.
Child Custody & Support
We represent clients in custody disputes, parenting plan negotiations, visitation schedule determinations, and modification proceedings. Custody arrangements carry long-term consequences, and our attorneys approach each case with that in mind.
Property & Asset Division
We assist clients in identifying marital property, valuing assets, and negotiating or litigating equitable distribution under North Carolina law. Our attorneys handle disputes over real estate, financial accounts, business interests, and debt allocation.
Alimony & Spousal Support
We represent clients seeking post-separation support and alimony, as well as those defending against such claims. Our attorneys understand the statutory factors courts apply and position each case accordingly.
Domestic Violence & Protective Orders
We assist clients in filing for protective orders and represent them in related hearings. When domestic violence intersects with divorce or custody proceedings, our attorneys address both matters directly.
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
We draft and review prenuptial and postnuptial agreements designed to protect assets and clarify financial arrangements. A well-drafted agreement can prevent costly disputes if the marriage ends.
Out-of-Court Settlements
We negotiate and mediate settlements that resolve disputes without prolonged litigation. Jordan Griffin is a Certified Family Financial Mediator, and our firm regularly brings contested matters to resolution outside the courtroom. Clients often retain greater control over the outcome than courtroom litigation would allow.
Appeals & Legal Challenges
We represent clients in appealing court decisions, enforcing existing orders, and seeking modifications to custody, support, or property arrangements when circumstances have materially changed.
Other Family Law Matters
Our family law practice also covers adoption, guardianship, grandparents’ rights, and other domestic matters. When your legal situation extends beyond divorce, our team handles it within the same firm.
What Divorce Means in North Carolina
In North Carolina, an absolute divorce is the final legal termination of a marriage. Understanding how state law defines divorce, and what must be resolved before the court grants it, is the starting point for any divorce case.
Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce generally means the parties do not dispute whether the court should grant the absolute divorce after the required separation period. In some cases, spouses may already have a separation agreement in place or may have resolved related issues through negotiation or prior court orders.
A contested divorce matter involves one or more unresolved disputes related to issues such as equitable distribution, alimony, child custody, or child support. Those disputes may require negotiation, mediation, hearings, or trial-level court involvement, depending on the circumstances.
What Is the Process for Getting a Divorce in North Carolina?
The divorce process in North Carolina follows a defined sequence. The decisions you make and the deadlines you meet at each stage directly affect the final outcome, and our attorneys guide clients through each phase with a clear understanding of what comes next.
Issues That Must Be Resolved Before the Divorce Is Final
Not every family-law issue must be fully resolved before the court grants an absolute divorce, but some claims do need to be properly asserted before that judgment is entered. In North Carolina, equitable distribution and alimony-related claims can be affected if they are not raised in time before the absolute divorce is granted. Child custody and child support issues may proceed on a separate track, but they still require careful attention because court orders in those matters can have long-term consequences.
Documentation to Gather Before Filing
Gather financial statements, tax returns for the last three years, pay stubs, records of real property and vehicles, retirement and investment account statements, documentation of all debts, and any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. If the case involves children, records of each parent’s involvement in caregiving and school activities may also be relevant.
What Are the Grounds for Divorce in North Carolina?
North Carolina law sets clear conditions that must be met before a court grants an absolute divorce. Understanding those conditions, and how marital conduct affects related legal claims, is central to preparing any divorce case.
The One-Year Separation Requirement
The primary ground for absolute divorce in North Carolina is a one-year separation. Both spouses must live in separate residences continuously for at least one year, with at least one spouse intending the separation to be permanent. At least one spouse must also have been a North Carolina resident for a minimum of six months before filing. The separation period, not the filing date, starts the clock (N.C.G.S. § 50-6).
How Marital Conduct Affects Your Divorce
North Carolina does not require proof of fault to obtain a divorce, but marital conduct carries significant legal weight in alimony determinations. Illicit sexual behavior, abandonment, cruelty, substance abuse, and financial misconduct are all defined as marital misconduct under North Carolina law and are factors courts weigh when deciding support claims. These factors do not determine whether a divorce is granted, but they directly shape the financial terms of the case.
How Are Assets and Property Divided in a North Carolina Divorce?
North Carolina applies the equitable distribution standard to marital property. Courts begin with a presumption that an equal division is equitable, but that presumption can be rebutted based on the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, contributions to acquiring or maintaining the property, and tax consequences of any proposed distribution (N.C.G.S. § 50-20). Separate property, including assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance, is generally not subject to division. Disputes over whether specific property is marital or separate are common and often require detailed financial documentation to resolve.
What Are My Rights Regarding Child Custody and Support?
North Carolina courts award both legal custody, which governs decision-making authority over a child’s education, healthcare, and welfare, and physical custody, which determines where the child primarily lives. Courts apply the best interest of the child standard in every custody determination, evaluating each parent’s relationship with the child, the stability of each home environment, each parent’s ability to provide consistent care, and any history of domestic violence or substance abuse (N.C.G.S. § 50-13.2). Child support follows state guidelines based on both parents’ incomes, the custody arrangement, and the child’s documented needs. Either parent may petition for a modification if circumstances change substantially.
How Does Alimony Work in North Carolina?
Alimony in North Carolina is not automatic. Courts weigh statutory factors to determine whether support is appropriate, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, the standard of living established during the marriage, and contributions made as a homemaker or primary caregiver.
Under N.C.G.S. § 50-16.3A, if the dependent spouse committed illicit sexual behavior during the marriage and prior to separation, the court shall not award alimony. If the supporting spouse committed illicit sexual behavior under the same conditions, the court shall order alimony paid to the dependent spouse.
What Are the Common Mistakes That Complicate a Divorce?
The most damaging errors in North Carolina divorce cases are often made before an attorney is retained. Failing to document assets and debts before separation, making financial transfers that appear retaliatory, communicating through text or email in ways that could be used in court, and agreeing to informal arrangements without legal documentation can each complicate your case significantly. Missing deadlines for filing or responding to claims, particularly those affecting property division or support, can eliminate rights that cannot be recovered. Acting on emotion rather than legal strategy is the single most common pattern in contested matters.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in North Carolina?
The one-year separation requirement sets the minimum. An uncontested divorce, where both parties agree on all issues, can typically be finalized within several months after the separation period is completed, depending on court scheduling and caseload. Contested cases take considerably longer. Disputes over property, custody, or alimony require discovery, negotiation, and often multiple hearings, which can extend the timeline to 18 months or more after filing. Cases involving business assets, retirement accounts, or high-conflict custody disputes can take longer still.
Start Your Divorce Case with Our North Carolina Divorce Attorney
Divorce affects your finances, your children, and your long-term stability. The attorneys at Leitner, Bragg & Griffin handle North Carolina divorce cases across Charlotte, Monroe, and Raleigh with a depth of knowledge that matters when the stakes are this high. Schedule a consultation with our attorneys today. Call us at 704-271-9805 or reach us through our contact form.
Written By Tee Leitner
Tee Leitner received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his Juris Doctrate Degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Tee spent time in Private Practice and at the Union County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney. Tee founded Leitner Bragg and Griffin in 2016.
