The Family Law Practice Group serves individuals in eastern North Carolina and throughout the state. Our attorneys, with the assistance of local counsel, also represent clients in family law matters throughout the United States. We offer a broad range of family law legal services, including representation in preparation of premarital and postmarital agreements, separation and property settlement agreements, equitable distribution litigation, child custody and support, and alimony claims.
We frequently represent individuals in complex equitable distribution cases, often involving substantial assets. Such assets may include ownership interest in valuable real estate and business entities, such as corporations and partnerships. In these types of cases we work directly with real estate appraisers and business valuation experts to assist us in making appropriate recommendations to our client.
Our attorneys also represent clients in alienation of affections and criminal conversation litigation, both in the prosecution of claims against responsible parties and the defense of such claims.
Our attorneys have excellent trial skills and more than 48 years of combined broad trial experience. Attorneys in the Family Law Practice Group bring to their work a range of complementary experience including the following: former law clerk to the Honorable Malcolm J. Howard, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and a former New York State town/village justice and continuing legal education instructor for the New York State Magistrates Association. Our practical experience is enhanced by our active involvement in professional organizations, including the Family Law Section of the American and North Carolina Bar Associations, American Association for Justice, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, and North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. One of our attorneys is included in The Best Lawyers in America.
Ward and Smith Family Law attorneys understand the impact state and federal laws and other complex issues will have on the divorce process and outcome. As part of our commitment to provide superior service to our clients, we draw on the experience of attorneys in other groups to ensure our clients' needs are met. We call upon members of the Business, Tax, Real Estate, and Trusts and Estates Practice Groups to advise clients in matters involving the restructure of businesses, tax consequences of financial restructuring, disposition of pension assets, transfer of real property, and new estate planning.
As a full-service law firm using the latest technological advances, Ward and Smith Family Law attorneys effectively counsel clients in all types of situations, from the routine to the very complex. Most importantly, our lawyers have the compassion, experience, personal skills, and dedication to counsel clients effectively through distressing and difficult situations.
