Practice Areas
Every case we take, we prepare to win.
Hartwell Family Law focuses exclusively on family law. Seven practice areas, one courthouse, and 18 years of Mecklenburg County experience.
Contested and uncontested divorce
Divorce & Separation
North Carolina requires a one-year separation before a divorce can be filed. We help you use that time strategically — documenting property, negotiating interim support, and establishing a parenting framework before the final decree.
Uncontested divorce packages start at $2,200 flat when both parties have reached full agreement. Contested divorces are handled on an hourly basis with a written fee agreement before we begin.
- —Absolute divorce filings
- —Legal separation agreements
- —Interim support and custody orders
- —High-asset and business-owner divorce
- —Military divorce (USFSPA and SBP)
Physical and legal custody
Child Custody & Parenting Plans
Charlotte courts apply the best-interest-of-the-child standard — which means the outcome depends heavily on how well your parenting plan is drafted and how clearly it accounts for your family's specific circumstances.
We build parenting plans that anticipate conflict: school decisions, holiday schedules, relocation clauses, and communication protocols. Courts approve detailed plans more readily, and detailed plans generate fewer disputes post-decree.
- —Primary and joint physical custody agreements
- —Legal custody (decision-making authority)
- —Parenting plans and holiday schedules
- —Temporary custody orders (emergency and non-emergency)
- —Relocation and interstate custody
- —Guardian ad litem coordination
Calculation, enforcement, and modification
Child Support
North Carolina calculates child support using the Income Shares model — both parents' incomes, childcare costs, and health insurance premiums all factor in. Errors in the calculation are common, and they compound over years.
We verify every line of the worksheet, address income discrepancies, and handle enforcement if the other party falls behind. Support orders are also modifiable when income or custody changes substantially.
- —Income Shares worksheet preparation
- —Support modification petitions
- —Contempt and enforcement actions
- —Interstate support (UIFSA)
- —Self-employment and irregular income cases
Equitable distribution in North Carolina
Property Division
NC is an equitable distribution state — marital property is divided fairly, not necessarily 50/50. What qualifies as marital versus separate property, and how assets are valued, determines the outcome. We fight both battles.
We work with financial analysts for business valuations, collaborate with forensic accountants when income is concealed, and trace separate property contributions with precision.
- —Marital vs. separate property classification
- —Retirement account division (QDROs)
- —Business and practice valuation
- —Real estate and investment portfolios
- —Debt allocation
- —Stock options and deferred compensation
Protection before marriage
Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is not a prediction of failure. It is a financial conversation you have before emotions complicate it. We draft agreements that protect both parties' pre-marital assets, business interests, and inheritance expectations.
For a prenup to hold up in court, both parties need independent counsel and adequate time to review. We recommend starting at least 90 days before your wedding date.
- —Asset and debt protection schedules
- —Business interest carve-outs
- —Spousal support provisions
- —Inheritance and estate coordination
- —Postnuptial agreement amendments
When circumstances change
Post-Decree Modifications
Custody, visitation, and support orders are not permanent. A substantial change in circumstances — job loss, relocation, remarriage, a child's evolving needs — can justify a modification petition.
We handle modifications efficiently because the facts are usually narrow. Most post-decree matters resolve within 60–90 days without returning to trial.
- —Custody modification petitions
- —Support modification filings
- —Relocation approvals and objections
- —Contempt motions and enforcement
- —Parenting plan amendments
Domestic violence and safety
Protective Orders
If you or your children are at risk, a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) can be issued the same day you apply. We assist clients in filing, preparing for the 10-day hearing, and coordinating custody provisions within the order.
Safety is not a billable question. Call us immediately if you are in immediate danger — we will discuss fees once you are secure.
- —Emergency ex parte DVPOs
- —10-day DVPO hearings
- —Civil No-Contact Orders
- —Coordination with custody proceedings
- —Referrals to local shelter and advocacy resources
Not sure which path applies to you?
Schedule a $350 flat-fee consultation. We will review your situation, clarify your options, and give you a clear picture of next steps — without pressure to retain.
Schedule a confidential consultation