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.
At Ellis Family Law, our Chapel Hill child custody lawyers help parents navigate custody and parenting time with clarity, compassion, and strategy. Whether you are drafting an initial agreement, modifying an existing one, or responding to a crisis, we are here to support your family through every step.
Because your relationship with your child is everything. When separation, divorce, or co-parenting challenges threaten that bond, you need legal guidance that protects your rights, supports your child, and helps you create a plan that actually works.
From Southern Village to Meadowmont and throughout Orange County, we work with parents who are deeply invested in doing what is best for their children, but they often disagree on what that looks like.
We help families resolve questions around:
Custody is never “one size fits all.” We tailor every approach to your family’s unique dynamics, needs, and goals so the final plan supports your child’s well-being and your long-term peace of mind.
North Carolina custody law divides parenting into two main categories:
The authority to make major decisions about a child’s life, including education, healthcare, religion, and general welfare.
Where the child lives and how parenting time is divided.
Parents may share joint custody or one parent may be awarded sole custody, depending on the circumstances. We help you understand how these terms apply to your family and advocate for an arrangement that fits your child’s needs and your role in their life.
A parenting plan is an organized schedule that provides structure in helping your child thrive.
We help Chapel Hill parents craft practical, personalized parenting plans that account for:
Our Chapel Hill child custody lawyers will help you build a solution that feels fair, clear, and sustainable, even if you are working from scratch or modifying an outdated plan.
North Carolina courts focus on the best interests of the child. This standard guides every custody determination and includes a number of factors:
Even parents with the best intentions sometimes reach a breaking point. If you are facing an ongoing custody dispute, our Chapel Hill attorneys are equipped to step in and protect your parental rights.
We help you:
We approach high-conflict custody cases with calm, strategic guidance while always keeping the child at the center.
In some situations, waiting is not an option. If your child is in immediate danger due to abuse, neglect, substance use, or unlawful relocation, we act fast.
We help you:
Time is critical in emergency custody matters. If you are worried about your child’s safety, contact us right away.
Life changes, and sometimes those changes include moving. But when parents share custody, relocation is not a simple decision.
If you are planning to move or trying to prevent the other parent from doing so, we help you:
We understand that relocation cases can be deeply emotional. We help you stay focused on what’s fair and feasible while protecting your child’s connection to both parents whenever possible.
Your custody order worked before, but it may not work now. North Carolina allows you to request a modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances.
Common reasons to modify custody include:
We guide you through the process of filing, documenting, and negotiating changes that reflect your family’s new reality.
North Carolina law allows non-parents to seek custody or visitation under specific circumstances.
You may have standing to file if:
We handle these cases with care, empathy, and a strong focus on the child’s best interest.
Child custody needs to be focused on the day-to-day life and your ongoing relationship with them. Our clients choose us because we lead with heart, back it up with legal skill, and never lose sight of what’s at stake.
Here’s what working with us feels like:
We listen to your goals and your fears and build your case around both.
We walk you through what to expect and how to prepare.
We respond quickly, communicate clearly, and stay by your side.
We know how to handle cooperation and confrontation when it counts.
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.
Because when it comes to your child, clarity isn’t optional—it’s essential.
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
