Statesville Family Law Attorney

Experienced Family Lawyer in Statesville, NC

Ralston Benton Byerley & Moore, PLLC is a family law firm you can trust. We understand if you feel overwhelmed as you manage big life decisions. It can feel impossible to make the right choices for your future when you face things like domestic violence and divorce. Other times, your passion is about what happens with your children. A Statesville family lawyer will be there to help you through this difficult time.

What Is Family Law?

According to the CDC, North Carolina’s divorce rate is 2.7 out of every 1,000 residents. That may not sound very high, but it means there are many thousands of divorces in the Tar Heel State each year, and divorce is just one of the areas of the law handled by a Statesville family law attorney.

Whether you’re getting a divorce or you need help navigating the adoption of a child, you can hire a family lawyer to assist you with everything from filing paperwork and keeping track of deadlines to providing courtroom representation if it becomes necessary. Working with a lawyer to resolve stressful legal issues can help to take some of the pressure off you so that you can focus on being there for your family.

Family law is a broad subject that covers many subspecialties, ranging from divorce to adoption and domestic violence. Most family law issues pertain to problems that come up before a marriage, during a marriage, or after the marriage is over. Most family law cases are heard at the Iredell County Hall of Justice at 221 E. Water St.

How Our Team Can Help

We make sure our clients always receive comprehensive, reliable legal support, no matter what family law issue they face. We are honest, fair, and compassionate attorneys who care about the community and everyone here. We want to help you. Consider the legal services we offer and how we can help you. We provide services regarding family laws, including those surrounding:

• Divorce and separation. Let us provide you with guidance on what you can expect through divorce and legal separation. We can help you file for divorce and navigate every stage in the division of assets. Divorce is the most common reason for people to visit family law attorneys. In 2024, there were 3,790,000 family law cases heard in the United States. Of those, 1,090,000 were divorced.

• Child custody. Learn what your rights are as well as how to work out a custody agreement that provides the highest level of care to your child. We work passionately to make sure the best interests of every child are met. We can help you support your parental rights and your child’s best interests both during divorces and when requesting revisions to child custody orders.

• Child support. We help clients establish child support as well as work through child support modifications. We can help you and the other parent come to an agreement or represent you in a court of law.

• Adoption. As of February 2026, there were over 11,000 children in foster care in need of adoption in North Carolina. If you are making the decision to adopt a child, you need to make sure the legal process goes smoothly. This process can be complicated. Our adoption attorneys are committed to working with you to make sure your interests are always considered.

• Terminating parental rights. For many people, termination of parental rights is a life-changing decision that carries a wide range of opportunities for a better future. Let our team offer insight into the court proceedings and legal processes involved in North Carolina.

• Domestic violence. Ralston Benton Byerley & Moore, PLLC, stands behind victims of domestic violence, providing our clients with unwavering support as they navigate the legal obstacles in these difficult cases. Whether you need to take out a protective order or make sure one is being followed, we can help.

• Guardianships. The establishment, management, and modification of guardianships is a critical part of caring for your loved one. Let us help you put in place the reliable results you need.

• Prenups/marital agreements: Making these decisions does not have to be challenging when you have the help of a trusted, experienced legal team to guide you. Having a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement in place can help to take some of the stress out of your marriage by making sure that both you and your spouse are on the same page regarding issues such as marital property.

Preparing for Your Family Law Consultation

Your first step when you start working with a family lawyer to resolve your legal issue is to schedule an initial consultation. Taking this step can feel intimidating, especially in contentious issues such as divorce proceedings. Knowing what to expect can make the process feel less scary. You can prepare yourself by:

• Gathering documents. Depending on what type of family law case your lawyer will be handling, you may need to provide anything from marriage certificates and prenuptial agreements to child custody agreements and current court orders. If you’re not sure what documents to bring to your initial consultation, don’t hesitate to call and ask.

• Prepare a list of questions. It’s perfectly fine to ask your lawyer questions during your initial consultation. Writing down a list of what you want to ask in advance can help you remember your questions, which can be regarding anything from the legal process related to your family law matter to questions about legal fees.

• Outline your goals. You should ask yourself what your ideal outcome would be for the case and consider where compromise may be appropriate. Whether you’re concerned about making changes to child custody arrangements or asset division during a divorce, your lawyer wants to know where you stand.

• Create a summary. Write down all the key events and facts related to the case, including important dates, incidents, and background information.

• Consider your budget. You’ll need to be transparent about your financial situation. Be prepared to discuss legal fees up front and be clear about your budget.

Taking these steps in advance of your initial consultation will help you feel more prepared and take some of the pressure off you during this difficult time, in addition to making sure that all of your concerns get addressed.

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FAQs

How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in NC?

How much a family lawyer costs in NC depends on your specific needs. Your Statesville family law attorney’s experience level may also impact how much it costs to hire them.

What Should You Not Do During a Separation in NC?

During separation in NC, you should not hide or misuse marital assets, get involved in a new relationship, or move out of the marital home without a separation agreement in place or without consulting a family lawyer. These actions can negatively impact all aspects of your divorce, from property division to alimony and child custody. You should also avoid posting about the separation on social media.

What Are the Biggest Mistakes in a Custody Battle?

The biggest mistakes in a custody battle are putting your needs ahead of the best interests of your child and ignoring court orders. Common errors include badmouthing the child’s other parent, using children as messengers, and posting about the custody battle on social media. You should be cooperative and give the impression that you are not allowing your emotions to dictate your actions.

Who Pays for Legal Services During a Divorce?

You can usually expect to pay for your own legal services during a divorce. However, there are times when a judge may order one party to pay the other party’s legal fees based on statute or agreement. If one spouse is financially dependent on the other for support, the financially solvent party may be required to pay both parties’ fees. This could also be the case if there is a substantial income disparity. Certain types of marital misconduct can also alter who pays legal fees.

Your Statesville Family Lawyer

Let Ralston Benton Byerley & Moore, PLLC, go to work for you. Our Statesville family law attorney is available to provide outstanding legal support for all of your needs in Iredell, Alexander, Catawba, and the surrounding counties. Find out how we can help with your family law case. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.