Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
Every marriage deserves thoughtful legal closure. We help LGBTQ+ clients throughout the Triangle get to the other side of divorce with dignity, clarity, and a strategy that protects their rights, their families, and their future.
Since marriage equality became the law nationwide in 2015, same-sex couples have had the same legal rights as any other couple. But divorce in these cases still raises unique issues, especially when it comes to:
At Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C. in North Carolina, we guide same-sex couples through the divorce process with care, competence, and a deep respect for the full history of your relationship, not just the legal parts.
As same-sex divorce attorneys, We know that not every story fits neatly into a checkbox. We meet you where you are—and help you move forward from there.
When both spouses are legal parents, child custody follows North Carolina law. But many same-sex families involve children born before marriage or adopted by one spouse. These cases require a thoughtful strategy to preserve co-parenting rights and responsibilities.
We help you:
Many same-sex couples were together for years—or decades—before marriage equality. That can make dividing property difficult when much of it was acquired before the legal marriage began.
We help you:
In cases where one partner earned significantly more—or where one partner stepped back from their career to support the household—we help negotiate or litigate fair spousal support.
We understand how household contributions are often nontraditional and equally valuable.
Our LGBTQ+ clients are often navigating more than just a divorce. They’re facing:
We get it. And we want you to know: you’re not alone in this.
We create a space that’s safe, informed, and focused—so you can make decisions with clarity, not fear.
We offer full-service divorce representation that includes:
Whether your divorce is cooperative or contested, we bring calm, consistent support and keep your goals at the center of the process.
We’ve worked with LGBTQ+ individuals and couples throughout Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and the surrounding Triangle region. We are proud to support a diverse community and honored to help our clients feel safe and seen during one of life’s hardest transitions.
We also offer virtual consultations for privacy and accessibility.
You don’t need to explain your family. You don’t need to apologize for your story. And you don’t have to fight harder than anyone else to be treated fairly.
We’ll help you protect what matters and move forward with strength and clarity.
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.
Because respect shouldn’t be optional. And divorce shouldn’t make you feel invisible.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
