Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
As recently as 2017, state lawmakers in North Carolina proposed a bill that prohibits same-sex marriage. For now, the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in North Carolina remains the law. This means same-sex couples enjoy the same benefits as heterosexual couples in terms of marriage, and they are subject to the same laws and obligations that accompany divorce matters.
At Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C., we welcome the opportunity to assist members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community throughout the Triangle area with legal matters relating to family law or estate planning.
Custody works in the same way it would for any other couple if both parents have been recognized as the legal parents of a child (i.e., the non-biological parent has adopted the child) or the parents were married at the time the child was born. If not, then the person who is recognized as the legal parent has superior rights to custody and the non-legal parent would be a third party having to show that the legal parent is unfit or waived their parental rights through some action.
Yes, a non-biological parent can seek custody if they are the legal parent (adopted the child) or if they can show they have a parental relationship and the legal parent is unfit or has waived their parental rights through some action.
Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
...Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and...
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and helps you work through a difficult process. I appreciate her guidance and the team’s support. Highly recommend.
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law, I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of...
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law,
I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of the most stressful and emotional situations I’ve ever faced, and having Shannon in my corner gave me an incredible amount of peace of mind.
From the beginning, I trusted her completely. Even with an incredibly short notice with my request for help, Shannon handled every aspect of my case tactfully, professionally, and with genuine care. She was an incredible negotiator, always made sure I understood what was happening and when/why it was happening, and most importantly, made sure I felt comfortable with every decision along the way.
In a situation that naturally comes with so much stress and uncertainty, Shannon took a tremendous amount of that weight off my shoulders. I knew she was fighting for what mattered most to me and that I could trust her judgment every step of the way.
Calling her a lifesaver honestly feels like an understatement. I will always be grateful for what Shannon did for me and my family. If you are looking for an attorney who is professional, compassionate, trustworthy, and someone you genuinely want in your corner, I cannot recommend Shannon and Ellis Family Law highly enough.
Five stars without hesitation, thank you so much!
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job!...
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job! My only regret is I didn’t meet her years ago
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations...
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations that I’d only hoped for. I couldn’t be happier with the results of my divorce.
I cannot say enough good things about this law firm and the support I have received from Kathleen and her team. Going through a difficult and emotional family law matter...
I cannot say enough good things about this law firm and the support I have received from Kathleen and her team. Going through a difficult and emotional family law matter can be incredibly overwhelming, but having an attorney who is knowledgeable, responsive, honest, and truly listens has made such a difference.
Kathleen has taken the time to understand my situation, answer my questions, explain my options, and help me navigate decisions that I never expected to have to make. I have always felt that my concerns were taken seriously and that I had someone in my corner advocating for me while still giving me realistic and straightforward advice.
The entire office has been professional, compassionate, and helpful throughout the process. When you’re dealing with something that affects your children, your family, and your future, having confidence in the people representing you means everything.
I am extremely grateful for Kathleen and her team and would highly recommend this office to anyone looking for knowledgeable and compassionate representation in a family law matter.
We are equally skilled in litigation and in resolving disputes outside of court.
Mediation, arbitration, and collaborative approaches that resolve disputes with less stress and more cooperation.
Thoughtful advocacy for parenting arrangements that protect your children and preserve what matters most.
We are proud to serve the LGBT community. To schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable attorney, use our online contact form to schedule a meeting for any one of our locations in Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Pittsboro or Wake Forest.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
