Best Family Lawyer in Raleigh
Daphne Edwards
Family Lawyer
Daphne Edwards focuses her practice exclusively on matters surrounding divorce and custody litigation, as well as family law appeals. Daphne has more than two decades of experience in state and federal court. She is committed to helping each client through each stage of the divorce process. She is dedicated to client service, to achieving the best legal remedy for each client at the most affordable cost, through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. Daphne is first and foremost a trial attorney.
Daphne is a staunch advocate for her clients’ significant goals and long-term interests. An experienced and empathetic counselor, Daphne ensures you understand the laws and rules governing your North Carolina divorce. She can illuminate the pros and cons specific to your unique circumstance and help create the most strategic course of action toward recognizing your stated goals.
Daphne knows that divorce is a difficult and stressful time for her clients and that part of advocacy is offering support while championing their rights. She helps divorce to be viewed as a transition to possibility and potential for each person.
LINDSEY OHLER
Family Lawyer
Dr. Lindsey Ohler is a Licensed Psychologist; she has a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH and has worked with children, adolescents, young adults and adults. Dr. Ohler has practiced in a variety of settings including private practice, businesses, community mental health centers, the juvenile court system, college counseling centers, inpatient facilities, outpatient hospitals, and a clinical research lab investigating the neurocircuitry of eating disorders. At Lepage Associates, she also serves as the Clinical Services Director.
Dr. Ohler has an integrative style to therapy and individualizes treatment to meet each client’s unique experience. She utilizes a client-centered approach while incorporating Behavioral, Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, and Mindfulness-Based therapies. Dr. Ohler begins the therapeutic process by gaining an in-depth understanding of the client’s life and experiences and then collaboratively designs treatment goals to meet the client’s distinctive needs. Dr. Ohler is extensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy, participating in experiential-based training and co-facilitating Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training groups. She values how DBT skills are wonderful tools that can be beneficial to most people, and integrates aspects of DBT into her therapeutic approach, particularly when clients experience interpersonal challenges and/or want to improve how they experience and handle their emotions.
Angela McIlveen
Family Lawyer
Angela McIlveen, a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, is the CEO and Co-Founder of the McIlveen Family Law Firm. Renowned for her leadership and legal acumen, Angela has been the driving force behind the firm’s growth, shaping it into a powerhouse that provides top-tier services to families and a nurturing environment for its employees.
In Her Own Words: A Personal Connection to Family Law
Angela’s commitment to family law is deeply personal. Having experienced her parents’ tumultuous divorce at a young age, she understands the profound impact such events can have on children. Her own experiences have fostered a genuine empathy for her clients, making her a compassionate and understanding advocate.
Angela brings a unique perspective to her practice, having been a witness in her custody trial. This experience has given her an intimate understanding of the emotional toll involved in divorce and custody cases, equipping her with the ability to guide her clients through these challenging times with both sensitivity and strength.
Lisa M. Angel
Family Lawyer
Lisa is fortunate to have gained many accolades over her law career, but she’s most proud of being one of Triangle Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list in 2002 and the Triangle’s list of Top 25 Women in Business in the Triangle in 2004. Lisa was also inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women for the “Professions” category in 2003, which recognized her work, dedication and positive impact on the community. She graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her J.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.
In 1997, Lisa received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for her service as chair of the Domestic Violence Commission for the North Carolina Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division and, in 2005, was appointed by Governor Easley, no less, to serve as chair for the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission.
Lisa is considered to be an expert on family law issues. Once again, however, you won’t hear her boasting, despite the fact that she is part of Interact’s Speakers’ Bureau and has been a guest lecturer at Duke University School of Law and Campbell Law School. Or even though she is an elected member of the Wake County Bar Association Board of Directors and the Council of the Family Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.
Cathy Hunt
Family Lawyer
Partner Cathy Hunt represents business owners going through divorce and clients with complex financial estates. Before joining Gailor Hunt Davis Taylor & Gibbs, PLLC in 2001, Cathy practiced corporate law with Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge and Rice in Raleigh and McGuire, Woods, Battle and Booth in Northern Virginia. Most of Cathy’s time was devoted to mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Cathy’s former corporate law experience including the formation of business entities and subsequent representation on corporate matters, provides her with the expertise necessary to understanding complex equitable distribution cases, especially those involving business valuation issues. Cathy’s practice also includes in-depth financial analysis in alimony and child support cases. She was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Adolpho A. Birch, Jr., former Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Cathy represents mothers and fathers with complex custody cases. She also prosecutes and defends claims for Alienation of Affection and Criminal Conversation.
Cathy received her J.D. degree from the University of Memphis where she was a member of the Law Review. Cathy received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, graduating first in her class. She is licensed to practice in North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Cathy has been recognized by her peers as a member of North Carolina’s Legal Elite in Family Law as published in Business North Carolina Magazine
Charles R. Ullman
Family Lawyer
A North Carolina native, Charles R. Ullman represents clients in family law matters in Raleigh, Cary and throughout Wake County and surrounding areas. He also serves as a family law arbitrator.
His credentials include status as a board-certified family law specialist. Certified by the North Carolina State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law, Mr. Ullman was one of fewer than 300 family lawyers to receive this distinction at the time he earned certification. Lawyers who are designated by the State Bar as specialists in designated practice areas, such as Mr. Ullman, are recognized for the depth and commitment of their service to the public within the area they practice.
Mr. Ullman’s approach to the practice of law focuses on fairness and understanding. He takes time to listen to each client’s values and goals and to discuss ways to reach a reasonable result that lies within the boundaries of the law. Mr. Ullman also brings compassion and consideration to clients who are grappling with family law issues. He understands the sensitivity of ethical and religious concerns when it comes to divorces.
Mr. Ullman is a trained collaborative law attorney, as well as a practicing family law arbitrator and assists clients in international custody cases.
Brian S. Demidovich
Family Lawyer
Jonathan Breeden
Family Lawyer
That may be by helping a parent get the help and support they need to be successful or by resolving a contentious divorce, custody, or child support matter in a way that allows the family to move forward in a positive direction that places the child’s needs first.
Jonathan opened his law practice just outside of Raleigh in 2000. Since then, he has provided compassionate, personalized representation to families experiencing divorce, custody disputes, adoptions, and other domestic matters in Johnston and Harnett Counties and surrounding areas. He also defends people charged with DUI, traffic violations, theft, assault, or other criminal offences. With four convenient office locations, Jonathan Breeden can better serve you in Raleigh, Angier, Garner, and Smithfield.
Breeden Law Office provides confidential, personal service during your time of need, as well as direct and straightforward communication about your legal matter. With offices in Garner, Angier, Raleigh and Smithfield, Breeden Law Office serves clients throughout Johnston and Harnett Counties in the areas of family law, criminal defense, and business law.
What Is Parental Kidnapping?
Parental kidnapping, also known as parental abduction or child snatching, occurs when one parent unlawfully takes, hides, or keeps a child from the other parent without legal permission or in violation of a court order. This act is considered a serious crime and can have significant legal consequences for the offending parent.
Key Aspects of Parental Kidnapping:
1. Violation of Custody Orders
- Court Orders: Parental kidnapping often involves the violation of an existing custody or visitation order. If a parent takes the child without the other parent’s consent or beyond what is allowed by a court order, it can be classified as kidnapping.
- No Court Order: In cases where no formal custody order exists, the situation becomes more complex. However, if one parent takes the child with the intent to deprive the other parent of their rights, it can still be considered parental kidnapping.
2. Intent to Deprive
- Deprivation of Rights: The key element of parental kidnapping is the intent to deprive the other parent of their legal rights to custody or visitation. This could involve taking the child to another state or country or hiding the child to prevent the other parent from exercising their rights.
- Refusal to Return: Even if the child was initially taken legally, such as for a scheduled visit, refusing to return the child at the agreed-upon time can also be considered parental kidnapping.
3. Legal Consequences
- Criminal Charges: Parental kidnapping is a criminal offense in many jurisdictions, and the offending parent may face criminal charges, including kidnapping, custodial interference, or contempt of court.
- Impact on Custody: A parent who kidnaps a child may lose custody rights and face restrictions on future visitation. Courts generally view parental kidnapping as harmful to the child’s well-being and not in the child’s best interest.
4. International Parental Kidnapping
- International Abduction: If a parent takes a child across international borders without the other parent’s consent, it may be considered international parental kidnapping. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction provides a legal framework for returning abducted children to their home country.
- Legal Complexities: International cases are often more complicated, requiring cooperation between countries and navigating different legal systems to secure the child’s return.
5. Preventive Measures
- Custody Agreements: Clear custody agreements with detailed visitation schedules can help prevent misunderstandings that could lead to parental kidnapping. It’s essential for both parents to adhere strictly to the terms of the agreement.
- Legal Protections: Parents concerned about the risk of kidnapping can seek legal protections, such as court orders restricting the other parent’s ability to take the child out of the state or country without permission.
6. Responding to Parental Kidnapping
- Immediate Action: If a parent believes their child has been kidnapped, they should contact law enforcement immediately. In many cases, law enforcement can assist in locating and returning the child.
- Legal Recourse: Seeking legal recourse through the courts can help enforce custody orders and secure the return of the child. In cases of international abduction, the left-behind parent may need to work with both domestic and international legal authorities.
Conclusion
Parental kidnapping is a serious offense that can disrupt a child’s life and have lasting legal and emotional consequences. It involves the unlawful taking or retention of a child by one parent, usually in violation of custody orders. Preventive measures and prompt legal action are essential in addressing and resolving such situations to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.