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.
Life becomes difficult or uneasy when you are trying to stay afloat after a separation by covering bills with no formal child or spousal support in place, or you are the one making support payments without any court-ordered protections. And when the other parent stops paying their share? You are left carrying the financial burden alone.
Wherever you are in the process, here’s what we know: You want your child to have what they need. You want a support arrangement that makes sense and that actually works.
And you want to feel like the system sees you, not just a number on a form.
At Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C in North Carolina, our child support lawyers help parents in Durham move forward with child support solutions grounded in the law and real life.
Child support is not a punishment for one parent. It is about making sure both parents contribute to a child’s well-being.
We work with:
Support should feel fair, transparent, and enforceable. That’s what we help you build.
Financial tension is one of the hardest parts of co-parenting. When child support is not handled clearly, it creates ripple effects everywhere:
Our child support lawyers have worked with parents who just want to create a financial structure for their child. With people trying to avoid conflict, but are tired of the guesswork. With families where support was never formalized, it’s starting to show.
No matter what’s bringing you here, we’ll help you find your footing—and your options.
Every family is different. So is every child support situation.
We don’t rely on templates or shortcuts. We take the time to understand:
Then we guide you through your legal options, so you can make informed decisions.
We are not here to escalate tension. We are here to create clarity.
Because child support isn’t just numbers.
It’s about protecting your child—and your peace of mind.
Life doesn’t stay the same, and child support shouldn’t either. If your financial situation or custody schedule has changed significantly, you may be entitled to a modification of your support order.
Common reasons include:
We guide you through filing a motion to modify, gathering evidence, and either negotiating a new agreement or representing you in Wake County Family Court.
Whether through divorce, separation, or a custody case, we help calculate and establish support using the North Carolina guidelines, plus any appropriate adjustments based on your unique circumstances.
Support isn’t set in stone. If your income, parenting schedule, or your child’s needs have changed—or if it’s been three years since your order and a recalculation shows a difference of more than 15%—we’ll help you file for a modification and present your case clearly to the court.
When support isn’t paid, the consequences can snowball. We help custodial parents enforce court orders through wage garnishment, contempt proceedings, and other legal tools.
Have you been making or receiving payments without a formal order? We help turn informal support into legally enforceable agreements—so everyone knows what to expect and what’s required.
If you or your co-parent are self-employed, own a business, or receive bonuses or irregular income, calculating support can be complex. We help present clear, well-documented financial data that protects your interests.
North Carolina uses a statewide formula to calculate child support. That formula considers:
But real life doesn’t always fit into a formula. That’s why the court can deviate from the guidelines when it makes sense. We help you gather the right documentation, make your case, and seek an outcome that’s both legally sound and practically sustainable.
We’re not just family lawyers — we’re child-focused legal partners.
Clients turn to us because:
We proudly represent parents across Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and beyond. We know how the Durham County courts handle support cases—and how to make sure your case is heard clearly and respectfully.
We also offer both in-person and remote consultations, so you can get the help you need on your terms.
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.
Child support isn’t about asking for too much. It’s about creating stability for your child and peace of mind for your family.
Because your child deserves support. And so do you.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
