I really appreciated the hard work that Emilee consistently provided while dealing with personal legal proceedings. Would highly recommend to anyone in the area needing legal service.
Most people who call our Durham office are not really asking how to get divorced. They are asking what happens to the house, how the children will split their time, and whether they can afford life on the other side. Those are the right questions, and they deserve straight answers.
Our Durham divorce lawyers help you understand where you stand, decide what matters most, and build a plan that holds up, whether your divorce is settled around a conference table or decided in a courtroom.
North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state. To file for absolute divorce:
Durham runs a dedicated Family Court. A family’s related issues, such as custody, support, and property division, are generally kept together before one judge or judicial team, with a family court case manager tracking the case. For you, that means consistency. The judge who hears your early motions is often the judge who sees your case through.
Parents with a custody disagreement will usually attend custody mediation before a judge decides parenting time. We prepare you for that session, so you walk in knowing your priorities and your options.
We represent divorce clients throughout Durham County, including Trinity Park, Old West Durham, Forest Hills, Woodcroft, Brightleaf, Treyburn, Bahama, Rougemont, and the Research Triangle Park area, as well as clients in neighboring Orange County.
The absolute divorce is often the simplest step. The real work happens during the year of separation, when decisions about money, property, and children get made.
Here is what we help Durham clients address before the divorce is final:
Many couples resolve all of this in a separation agreement. Others need temporary orders while they negotiate. Either way, we make sure nothing important gets lost in the timeline.
We offer full-spectrum legal representation for clients facing divorce, including:
A written, enforceable plan for property, support, and parenting, often signed long before the divorce is filed. Learn more about separation agreements.
Representation for dependent and supporting spouses where support is owed, how much, and for how long.
Support calculated under North Carolina guidelines, or based on actual needs when incomes fall outside them. Learn more about child support.
When agreement is not possible, we prepare your case thoroughly and present it clearly in Durham County District Court.
Durham families often include physicians, researchers, university faculty, and employees of companies in Research Triangle Park. Those careers raise their own divorce questions:
We work alongside financial professionals to get the numbers right. If your case involves significant wealth or business interests, visit our Durham high-asset divorce page.
At Ellis Family Law, we are known for legal strategies built on empathy, not aggression (unless that is necessary). We don’t escalate tensions or offer quick fixes. We listen. We plan. We advocate—with clarity and purpose.
Here’s what sets us apart:
After we learn your situation, we pair you with the attorney whose experience and style best fit your case.
Custody changes, support modifications, and estate plan updates come up after divorce. We are still here.
Divorce complaints are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in the Family Court office on the 6th floor of the Durham County Courthouse at 510 South Dillard Street, Durham, NC 27701.
You must first be separated for one year. After filing, your spouse must be served and has 30 days to respond. An uncontested absolute divorce can often be completed within a few months of filing. Cases with contested custody or property issues take longer, depending on the court calendar.
It does not affect whether you can get divorced, because North Carolina is a no-fault state. It can affect alimony, so it is worth discussing with an attorney early.
Our board-certified specialists lead every case with strategy, care, and a commitment to your best outcome.
I really appreciated the hard work that Emilee consistently provided while dealing with personal legal proceedings. Would highly recommend to anyone in the area needing legal service.
...I really appreciated the hard work that Emilee consistently provided while dealing with personal legal proceedings. Would highly recommend to anyone in the area needing legal service.
Trust worthy, reliable, and sophisticated team with an outstanding work ethic.
...Trust worthy, reliable, and sophisticated team with an outstanding work ethic.
Every interaction I’ve had with Sarah M. has been positive. She’s always helpful, professional, and kind. It’s clear she truly cares about the people she works with. I wouldn’t hesitate...
Every interaction I’ve had with Sarah M. has been positive. She’s always helpful, professional, and kind. It’s clear she truly cares about the people she works with. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.
What an incredible experience! I recently found myself in the highly stress situation of needing legal counsel with a very delicate matter. After an extensive search, I was referred to...
What an incredible experience!
I recently found myself in the highly stress situation of needing legal counsel with a very delicate matter. After an extensive search, I was referred to the Ellis Law firm by someone whom always seems to have great contacts. This absolutely proved to be yet another incredible resource that they were able to share!
From the very first call until the resolution of the matter, every single person that I interacted with was professional, respectful, patience, and provided guidance on all matters related to the issue. In particular, my interactions across several phone calls with Christina Richard were very productive! She was able to provide answers, but more importantly, compassion throughout the entire stressful ordeal, and she did a great job providing additional external resources to get the outcome I hoped for.
This entire situation has been tough, and putting it behind me and fantastic. I can’t imagine the outcome being any better working with another firm, and encourage others to seek out the Ellis Law Group. Not only will you get the expertise in the field, but in the process, you’ll discover that this is a place to settle matters legally, and with compassion!
Great job by all!!!
What an exceptional Law firm. Ellis Family Law has handled my case and exceeded my expectations they truly went above and beyond. I thank the entire team. X
...What an exceptional Law firm. Ellis Family Law has handled my case and exceeded my expectations they truly went above and beyond. I thank the entire team. X
I love Ellis Family Law, won’t go anywhere else. From the first time you even walk in everyone is so nice and attentive. When I came in, I didn’t even...
I love Ellis Family Law, won’t go anywhere else. From the first time you even walk in everyone is so nice and attentive. When I came in, I didn’t even know where to start. I think there’s 2 Sarahs so her last name was Mercer, but Sarah M. was amazing! She was so kind, I felt so cared for and she answered all my questions and even talked me through legal terms I didn’t quite understand. What a good experience to turn around such an anxious day for me.
Durham Office
Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C.
3511 Shannon Road Suite 150 Durham, NC, 27707
Fax: 877-678-1584
Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 5:30pm
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