Greensboro Divorce Lawyer & Family Law Attorney
Divorce • Spousal Support • Property Division • Child Custody & Visitation • Child Support
At Arthur & Kirkman, we understand that going through a divorce, child custody dispute, or another family law matter may be one of the most difficult, stressful, and emotionally challenging experiences of a person’s life. Our team of experienced Greensboro divorce lawyers and family law attorneys are ready to help you achieve your goals, protect your rights, and secure the best possible outcome. We are results-oriented and strive to resolve your legal issues in the best way possible so that you can confidently move forward in life.
Based in Greensboro, our team of family law attorneys, paralegals, and client-centered support staff bring extensive, award-winning experience to every case. We provide results-oriented representation in all aspects of divorce and family law, including child custody, child support, alimony, spousal support, and equitable distribution (property division) among others. We have in-depth knowledge of the law and procedures used in Greensboro, High Point, Guilford County, and the surrounding areas of North Carolina, which helps us develop effective strategies for our clients. We have helped thousands of families navigate difficult times and are well-versed in the legal, financial, and personal issues that arise in divorce and family law disputes. We work closely with our clients from start to finish, providing clear, understandable guidance and support every step of the way. Our team will work tirelessly to achieve your goals and protect your best interests.
Speak with a Greensboro Divorce Lawyer today, by calling (336) 274-7898
Known for Solving the Complex & Most Difficult Family Cases
Our family law and
divorce attorneys based in Greensboro excel at handling complex divorce cases involving property division, financial strategies, business valuations, and tax issues. We are known for our skill in managing, resolving, and litigating complex cases. While we always try to resolve disputes amicably and avoid court, we stand ready to use the courts when necessary to achieve the best results for our clients. We have the courtroom experience and trial skills to provide assertive and effective representation in any legal setting, while providing you the compassionate support and legal guidance you need.
Engage a Greensboro Family Law Firm
From negotiations, mediation, a divorce trial, and appellate proceedings, we represent clients through every stage of divorce. Whether you are facing a high net worth divorce, a small business owner going through a separation, or need trusted legal counsel, we are here to help. Let us offer the professional guidance you need to put your mind at ease.
Compassionate & Caring Family Law Attorneys
Going through a divorce, particularly when there are disputes over child custody or spousal support, can be an emotionally difficult experience. At Arthur & Kirkman, our team of experienced, efficient attorneys understand the dynamics of divorce and family law, as well as the emotional aspects of these life-changing events. It is important to have an experienced divorce attorney on your side who cares about your well-being and is dedicated to advocating for your interests. At Arthur & Kirkman, our attorneys are compassionate and understanding, and we take the time to listen to our clients and provide personalized attention. We are committed to promoting the best interests of you and your children.
We Care. We Listen. We Advocate.
At the family law firm of Arthur & Kirkman, we care deeply about the people we serve. We take time to listen to our clients, understand their concerns, and develop sound legal strategies designed to achieve their objectives. When you or your spouse decides to dissolve your marriage, our attorneys will remain supportive in assisting you in protecting your rights, security, and children. We will help you work toward a resolution that suits your family’s needs. Our family law attorneys based in Greensboro provide unparalleled representation with an innovative, practical, and problem-solving approach. As one of Guilford County’s most respected law firms, we are equipped to offer a range of services tailored to meet the personal needs of our clients.
Comprehensive Family Law Services in Greensboro
Our talented and skilled team of legal professionals will seek solutions to every part of your divorce, including:
Our experienced team of Greensboro family law attorneys handles all areas of family law, including:
Put a Renowned Authority To Work For You Today
While we are best known for representing high-net-worth individuals and their spouses, local politicians, local celebrities, professional athletes, business owners, doctors, attorneys, and other professionals, we also represent everyday people from all walks of life. We are committed to providing the same high-quality value-oriented service to each of our clients.
Our family law attorneys are known for their high degree of competence and care and are recognized as leaders in divorce and family law matters. Our attorneys have been repeatedly honored for their skill and service to their clients, including listings in Best Lawyers in America, North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine, and Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite among others. Our lawyers have been featured and interviewed by the news media as legal experts, speak at law schools, and teach courses to other lawyers on the law. Each of our lawyers is highly accomplished and offers the skilled representation that is critical in family law matters. As a client of our Greensboro based law firm, you will receive the extraordinary high-quality legal representation you deserve.
John W. Kirkman, Jr. and Adam W. Arthur are widely regarded as two of the most effective divorce lawyers and family law attorneys serving the Greensboro area and the communities of Guilford County, including Summerfield, Oak Ridge, Gibsonville, and Pleasant Garden. Individually, they have each obtained favorable outcomes in some of the most complex and high-profile Guilford County family law matters. Together, the firm is a formidable team providing unparalleled service and superior results.
With an expansive practice having a focus on families, the family law firm of Arthur & Kirkman PLLC, provides the skillful representation necessary to protect its clients’ best interests. Our family attorneys have the tact and discretion to resolve matters sensibly; plus the fierce determination and skill necessary to litigate. Whether through negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, or litigation, our attorneys are diligent in their pursuit of a resolution that provides the most benefit to our clients.
We have dedicated our practice to helping our clients navigate all of the family issues they encounter. Our lawyers do more than provide you with advice regarding your options. We negotiate effectively and litigate aggressively to help you reach your goals, protect your rights, and achieve the best possible outcome.
Explore Frequently Asked Questions to Greensboro Divorce Lawyers
There are lots of questions that arise with separation and divorce. Below are the answer to some of the most frequently asked questions about separation and divorce in North Carolina. The Greensboro based divorce attorneys at Arthur & Kirkman are available for a no-obligation consultation if you are facing separation or divorce.
In North Carolina, unlike many other states, obtaining an "absolute divorce" for many couples is only one part of the divorce process. In North Carolina, when the law refers to as divorce, it typically is refering to the protion of the process known as "absolute divorce" which is the part of the process that legally terminates the marriage, making the two people who were married now unmarried upon the entry of a judgment of absolute divorce. However, for most couples, what the non-lawyer thinks of as their divorce is the process of dividing property and debts, dealing with spousal support, handling child custody, and determining child support - all of those issues can be started right away, meaning there is no waiting period.
The portion of the divorce process of becoming unmarried, called absolute divorce, requires the couple to have lived separate and apart, with the intention of remaining separate and apart, for at least one year and one day. In nearly all instances, this means residing in different homes.
No, a written separation agreement is not required to be considered separated in North Carolina nor is it required to get divorced.
In North Carolina, there are two possible grounds for divorce, with the most common being one year of separation. The second possible grounds for divorce, which is very uncommon, is incurable insanity.
No, but if you do not live in North Carolina, your spouse must have resided in North Carolina for at least six months prior to filing for absolute divorce in North Carolina.
You or your spouse must have lived in North Carolina for at least six months prior to filing a request for absolute divorce with the court, and you and your spouse must have lived separate and apart from each other, with the intent to remain separate and apart for at least one year, and during that time not resumed the martial relationship.
Most often, the date of separation is the date one party moves out with the intent to end or terminate the marriage. Other times, the date of separation is the date sometime after a party moves out when one or both of the parties has later determined they do not intend to resume the marital relationship and intend to end the marriage. Determining the date of separation is critical when it comes to the division of marital property and debts, as marital property and debts are often valued as of the date of separation.
No. In North Carolina, the law prohibits one attorney from representing both spouses in a divorce.
An uncontested divorce typically refers to the part of the divorce and separation process known in the law as "absolute divorce." For couples facing separation and divorce, the issue of absolute divorce is often the easiest part of the process and often undisputed. It is often undisputed, because most of the time, before a spouse files paperwork with the court seeking an absolute divorce they do so more than one year after the latest date either of the parties asserts was the date of their separation. So long it is undisputed that on the day a spouse files for absolute divorce, that the couple has been separated for more than one year with the intent to remain separate an apart, the issue of absolute divorce is likely uncontested.
Once the court enters a judgment of absolute divorce, both spouses lose the right to file for spousal support (know as postseparation support and alimony) and property division (known as equitable distribution). If spousal support or property division is at issue, a claim for those issues must have been filed before the entry of a judgment of absolute divorce or they will be lost.
In North Carolina, in separation and divorce, property is divided using a law known as "equitable distribution." Equitable distribution is a legal method of dividing property in a fair manner, which does not always mean an equal manner. If either party wants property to be divided, they must have filed a claim with the court seeking equitable distribution prior to the entry of a judgment of absolute divorce. Once a judge declares the couple divorced, if neither party had a pending claim for equitable distribution, the ability to seek equitable distribution is gone and lost.
In North Carolina, alimony and spousal support is paid by a spouse who the court determines to be a "supporting spouse" to the other if the other spouse is determined to be a "dependent spouse." Under North Carolina law, a spouse is a "dependent spouse" if they are actually substantially dependent on the other for maintenance and support, or is substantially in need of maintenance and support. A "supporting spouse" under North Carolina law is a spouse whom the other spouse is dependent upon and has the financial means and ability to pay alimony and spousal support.
If the dependent spouse engaged in adultery before the date of the parties' separation and that adultery was not condoned, they may be prohibited from being award alimony. If the supporting spouse engaged in adultery before the date of the parties' separation and that adultery was not condoned, that spouse will be required to pay alimony. If both spouses engaged in adultery, the court may award alimony if the circumstances render it just.
In North Carolina, there is no mathematical formula nor mathematical "guidelines," which gives judges wide discretion to determine the amount and length of alimony and spousal support to be paid by one spouse to the other. There are a few critical factors which are considered, among others, including:
- Financal need of the spouse seeking alimony.
- Financial ability of the other spouse to pay alimony.
- Duration of the marriage.
- Standard of living and lifestyle during the marriage
- Earning capacity of both spouses
- Any marital misconduct by either spouse
- Tax consequences of an alimony award
In a North Carolina divorce, if the parents cannot agree on how to share decision-making and parenting time with their children, either parent may ask the court to determine those issues for them by filing a claim for child custody and/or visitation. If the parent's cannot agree, a judge will determine how parents will share decision-making and parenting time with the children based on what the court determines is in the best interest of the child. Learn more about child custody and visitaiton on our dedicated
child custody and visitaiton page or by scheduling a no-obligation consultation with one of our
Greensboro Child Custody Lawyers.
No. In North Carolina, all grounds for divorce require a year or more of waiting before seeking divorce. However, while waiting for that year to lapse, most issues surrounding divorce can begin to be resolved, including things like spousal support, property division, child custody, and child support.
In most instances, no. In North Carolina, there are limited circumstances that would allow a spouse to obtain a judicially ordered separation.
A separation agreement is a contract between spouses concerning their separation. It can address a number of issues and can do so on a temporary basis or a final basis. Among the issues which a separation agreement can address include, who will move out of the home, how to divide property and debts, and the amount of spousal support to be paid (if any).
After you have a judgment of absolute divorce which has been filed by the clerk of court, you are no longer married and thus would be free to marry a new spouse.
No. In North Carolina, to be married, your marriage must be solemnized as spouses before an ordained minister of any religious denomination or a magistrate.
No. In North Carolina, a valid marriage is created by the consent of two people to marry and take each other as a spouse, in the presence of an ordained minister of any religious denomination, a minister authorized by a church, or a magistrate with the consequent declaration by the minister or magistrate that the persons are married. North Carolina courts have held that weddings performed by a minister of a church with “no traditional doctrine” that “will ordain anyone, without question to his/her faith” is not a ceremony of marriage to be recognized by North Carolina. North Carolina courts have held that “[a] ceremony solemnized by a [layman] who bought for $10.00 a mail order certificate giving him ‘credentials of minister’" is not a ceremony of marriage recognized by North Carolina. A marriage performed by a person who went online bought minister credentials is voidable.
While North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state, infidelity and adultery can impact alimony and, in some cases, property division if the adultery affected the financial estate.
If you are facing a divorce, custody dispute, or any other family law matter, we are here to help. We offer expert representation in negotiations, mediation, trial, and appellate proceedings, and are well-equipped to handle high net worth divorces, small business owner separations, and other complex legal issues. Our team is dedicated to providing the professional guidance and support you need to put your mind at ease. Don't hesitate to contact us today at 336-274-7898 to arrange a consultation with an experienced and top-rated Greensboro divorce & family law attorney. 
