25 Ward and Smith Attorneys Recognized as 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
February 18, 2026
Ward and Smith is pleased to announce that 25 of its attorneys were recognized in the 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars…
News + Insights
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Melody King Earns Board Certification in Family Law
December 19, 2025
Ward and Smith, P.A. is pleased to announce that Melody King has become a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law by the North Carolina…
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Parental Alienation in North Carolina: What It Is and How to Combat It
November 14, 2025
While adapting to all of the changes that come when parents split, the last thing a child needs is to be put in the…
Firm News
Raleigh Family Law Attorney Phillip Cowan Joins Ward and Smith
June 2, 2025
Ward and Smith is pleased to welcome family law litigator Phillip Cowan to the firm. Phillip brings his decades of experience to bear on…
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The Dollars and Cents of Separation and Divorce: Understanding Post-Separation Support and Alimony in North Carolina
February 28, 2025
Before we dive into ways to prepare for your post-separation support and alimony case, it’s important to understand what these terms mean and your…
Firm News
Our November Focus: Family Matters
November 22, 2024
November focuses on “Family Matters,” covering crucial topics impacting families: closely held businesses, life changes, divorce, death, child custody, and estate planning. And A…
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When Co-Parenting Fails: How Courts Decide Legal Custody Disputes
November 15, 2024
Ever make a decision by flipping a coin? It seems like a reasonable option to decide where to have dinner or which movie to…
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And a Partridge in a Pear Tree: Navigating the Holidays as a Blended Family
November 5, 2024
When visions of the holidays danced in your head, I doubt that dream bubble floating above your head included a scene where you were…
Firm News
Media Mention: Family Law Attorneys Bill Durr and Melody King Featured in Business North Carolina
September 30, 2024
Family law attorneys Bill Durr and Melody King have been featured in the September 2024 issue of Business North Carolina. Their article, “Protecting Family…
Firm News
Our September Focus: The Power of Preparedness
September 23, 2024
September is all about “The Power of Preparedness.” All month long, we’re focusing on the importance of being proactive and prepared in various aspects…
Firm News
67 Ward and Smith Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in America for 2025
August 15, 2024
Ward and Smith is pleased to announce that 67 attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers®. Fifty-four attorneys were chosen for inclusion in…
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Understanding Grandparents’ Rights to Custody and Visitation of a Child in North Carolina
July 9, 2024
Grandparents may seek custody of, or visitation with, a minor child. However, custody and visitation, although often used interchangeably, are not synonyms under North…
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Working with Your Family Law Attorney: Practical Tips for Surviving the Stress of Separation and Divorce
May 31, 2024
Multiple studies and respected authors agree – divorce is one of the most stressful life events any person can experience. After 34 years of…
Firm News
Our May Focus: Working Through Difficult Times
May 31, 2024
The May theme, “Working Through Difficult Times,” revolves around acknowledging and addressing the challenges individuals and businesses face during challenging times. Easing the Burden:…
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Ward and Smith Welcomes New Family Law Attorney Mary Charles Amerson
May 17, 2024
Ward and Smith is pleased to announce the addition of Mary Charles Amerson to our Wilmington office. Mary Charles is a dedicated family law…
Firm News
Our February Focus: Love, Relationships, and the Law
February 27, 2024
This month’s theme explores the intersection of love, relationships, and the legal frameworks that govern them. Protecting Your Family Business for When Marriages End By…
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Premarital Agreements and the “Voluntary” Signature
February 13, 2024
Premarital agreements offer persons contemplating marriage the ability to plan for the distribution of their assets and liabilities in the event of separation and/or…
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How to File for Divorce
February 6, 2024
Marriages may be dissolved by either party when the parties have continuously lived separately and apart for at least one year. However, you are…
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Protecting Your Family Business for When Marriages End
February 2, 2024
Love may be eternal, but all relationships on this earth are guaranteed to end at some point. In fact, we know with certainty that…
Firm News
36 Ward and Smith Attorneys Honored in Business North Carolina’s 2024 Legal Elite
January 4, 2024
Ward and Smith proudly announced that 36 attorneys have been honored in Business North Carolina’s 2024 Legal Elite. Five legal luminaries stand out as shining…
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Ward and Smith: Our Highlights of 2023
December 27, 2023
As we reflect on the past year, it’s evident that 2023 has been remarkable for Ward and Smith. We’ve welcomed new team members, launched…
Firm News
52 Ward and Smith Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for 2024
August 17, 2023
Ward and Smith proudly celebrates an incredible achievement—over half of our esteemed attorneys have gained recognition from one of the nation’s most respected legal…
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Student Loan Woes: How Marriage and Divorce Affect Student Loans
June 14, 2023
Student loans have become a familiar discussion among families and, more recently, a subject for debate between the federal government and the Courts. Knowing…
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Whose Business is it Anyway? A Business Succession Case Study
February 3, 2023
Three Ward and Smith attorneys provided an overview of succession planning, estate planning, divorce, and the separation of assets. The seminar — A Business…
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Marriage, Divorce & The Family Business: Is What Is Mine Really Yours Too?
January 6, 2023
North Carolina’s equitable distribution laws provide the framework for determining how property will be valued and divided when one or both partners in a…
Firm News
Ward and Smith Attorneys Named to 2022 Business North Carolina Legal Elite
January 4, 2022
Business North Carolina has selected several Ward and Smith attorneys for inclusion in its 2022 Legal Elite edition. The annual publication lists the state’s top lawyers…
Firm News
Family Matters: The Importance of Selecting an NC Board Certified Family Law Attorney
June 25, 2020
John Martin, a family law attorney in our Greenville office, recently recorded a video on why you should hire a North Carolina State Bar…
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Courts, Custody, & Choices: How to Address New or Existing Issues
April 23, 2020
As most people are well aware, the COVID-19 crisis has completely changed how we operate in our daily lives. One place that has felt…
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7 Guidelines for Parents Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 18, 2020
With the Governor’s proclamation to close schools and restaurants to dine-in customers, now, more than ever, our children are a primary focus during these…
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Do You Hear What I Hear? A Child’s Perspective
June 19, 2015
Custody cases are often the most emotionally charged and difficult legal cases to resolve. In North Carolina, a court’s focus in custody issues must…
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Asset Protection Planning: Where Sooner Really is Better Than Later!
August 16, 2010
What is Asset Protection? In today’s litigious society, protecting assets from creditors and potential creditors has become a hot topic. Commonly filed lawsuits involve…
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Asset Protection Planning: Shoot Before the Buzzer
May 19, 2010
Planning for Asset Protection In today’s litigious society, protecting assets from creditors has become a hot topic. Commonly filed lawsuits involve divorce, business disputes,…
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Divorce and Taxes
January 20, 2010
Divorce is a painful process. I know this because for the last 20 years, I have counseled hundreds of clients struggling through this very…
