Child Custody Lawyer Serving Raleigh and Wake County Families
Custody disputes affect your relationship with your children.
As a child custody lawyer team, Guirguis Law helps Wake, Durham, and Johnston County families protect their rights and well-being.
What Our Child Custody and Support Team Handles
Every family situation is different, and our approach reflects that. As a family law attorney practice built around real conversations rather than one-size-fits-all templates, we work with parents who need help establishing custody for the first time, modifying an existing order, or enforcing an agreement the other parent has ignored.
We also represent clients as a child support attorney resource, whether you're seeking support for your children or responding to a claim you believe is inaccurate. Our attorneys gather income documentation, expense records, and financial disclosures from both sides so any agreement or court order reflects the real numbers, not guesswork.
Some of our clients come to us mid-divorce, needing custody addressed alongside property and support questions. Others need us purely for a standalone custody or support matter. Either way, our family lawyer team treats your case with the same level of care and preparation.
Key Considerations in North Carolina Custody and Support Cases
North Carolina courts decide custody based on the best interest of the child, a standard that covers everything from school stability to each parent's living situation. Understanding what the court weighs, and what you can control, makes a real difference in how your case unfolds.
- Custody can be resolved through a mutual parenting agreement or, if needed, through litigation before a Wake, Durham, or Johnston County District Court judge
- Child support calculations rely on the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines, which factor in both parents' incomes and the custody schedule
- A post separation support attorney can help you secure temporary financial support while your broader case is pending, so bills don't pile up during a lengthy proceeding
- Custody orders can be modified later if circumstances substantially change, such as a job relocation or a shift in a child's needs
- Cases involving safety concerns may require coordination with a domestic violence protective order attorney to keep a child and custodial parent protected
- Documentation matters: school records, communication logs, and financial statements all strengthen your position
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
- NC Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense, 2012
- Serving Wake, Durham and Johnston counties since 2008
How We Handle Your Custody or Support Case From Intake to Resolution
We built our process to reduce confusion and keep you informed at every stage, whether your case settles quickly or requires a court hearing.
Initial Consultation
We start by listening. You'll walk us through your family situation, your goals, and any concerns about safety, scheduling, or finances, so we can map out a realistic strategy from day one.
Documentation and Case Preparation
We collect the financial records, communication history, and relevant background needed to support your custody or child support position, and we advise you honestly on where your case stands.
Negotiation or Filing
If both parents are willing to cooperate, we draft or review a parenting agreement and support terms. If not, we file the necessary paperwork and prepare your case for court in the appropriate North Carolina county.
Resolution and Follow-Through
Whether your case resolves through agreement or a judge's order, we make sure the final terms are clear, enforceable, and filed correctly, and we remain available if a modification becomes necessary later.
Attorneys Who Handle Child Custody and Support Matters
Our family law team brings courtroom experience and a steady, client-focused approach to every custody and support case we take on.
Nardine Mary Guirguis
Nardine leads our family law practice with a focus on protecting parent-child relationships while resolving cases as efficiently as circumstances allow.
Robert E. Waters
Robert brings trial experience to custody and support matters that require litigation, advocating firmly for clients while keeping their children's stability at the center of the case.
Why Wake, Durham and Johnston County Families Choose Guirguis Law
Our office sits in the heart of downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street, a short walk from the Wake County Courthouse, which means we're familiar with the judges, clerks, and procedures that shape how custody cases move through the local system. That familiarity helps us prepare clients for what to actually expect, not just what a textbook says.
Families in Durham and Johnston counties trust us for the same reason: we regularly appear before courts in those jurisdictions, and we understand how each courthouse, from Durham County to the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield, handles custody scheduling and support enforcement.
We also serve clients who need more than one type of legal help at once. It's common for a custody case to overlap with a divorce lawyer matter, a domestic violence protective order attorney need, or even estate planning lawyer questions about guardianship designations for a child. Because Guirguis Law also handles criminal defense lawyer and personal injury lawyer matters, we can flag issues in your broader legal picture that a narrowly focused firm might miss.
Child Custody and Support FAQs
Here are answers to questions we hear often from parents beginning a custody or support case in the Triangle area.
How does a child custody lawyer help if my co-parent and I already agree on most terms?
Even amicable parents benefit from a written, legally sound agreement. We draft or review parenting agreements to make sure the terms are clear, enforceable, and protective of your rights if circumstances change later.
What does a child support attorney need from me to calculate a fair amount?
We typically request pay stubs, tax returns, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and the proposed custody schedule. These details feed into the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines to help arrive at an accurate figure.
Can a post separation support attorney help before my divorce is finalized?
Yes. Post-separation support addresses your financial needs during the period between separation and a final divorce or custody order, so you're not left without resources while the case is pending.
What if there's a history of domestic violence in my custody case?
Safety comes first. We work closely with our domestic violence protective order attorney team to pursue protective measures alongside your custody case, ensuring the court is fully aware of any safety concerns affecting your children.
Protect Your Relationship With Your Children
A custody or support case shapes your family's future for years to come, and the right legal services can make the difference between a fair outcome and a frustrating one. Talk with our team about your situation and let us help you build a plan that puts your children first.
