Frequently Asked Questions

What Types of Cases Do You Handle?

Our firm handles the following types of cases:

  • domestic/family law issues, which include but are not limited to: separation, uncontested divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, pre-marital and post-nuptial agreements, and domestic violence
  • civil litigation
  • termination of parental rights
  • paternity
  • adoptions
  • challenges to Last Will and Testament
  • preparation of Last Will and Testament and codicil
  • preparation of general power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and living will
  • estate probate/administration
  • petitions to partition jointly owned real property
  • boundary line and easement disputes
  • residential and commercial real estate sales/purchases
  • deed preparation
  • purchase contracts and leases
  • contract review and enforcement
  • business entity incorporation and LLC formation
  • traffic tickets, including DWLR
  • criminal defense (felony)
  • DWI
  • restoration of driving privileges
  • removal from sex offense registry
  • wrongful death and serious personal injury (on a limited basis)

If you are unsure if your particular situation fits into one of these categories, please contact us so that we can help determine your needs.

In What Counties Do You Practice?

Our attorneys limit their trial practice to cases in Stokes or Surry Counties. We DO NOT litigate in any other counties outside of Stokes and Surry.

Our estate and real estate section handles cases outside of Stokes and Surry Counties, including Yadkin, Rockingham, Forsyth, and many other counties throughout the State.

Our practice is limited to the State of North Carolina and we are not licensed to practice in Virginia or any other state.

 

Where Are You Located?

Our office is conveniently located in the King Shopping Center at 607-C South Main Street, King NC 27021, with access into the Shopping Center from South Main Street and Jefferson Church Road.

What Are Your Business Hours?

Our office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00AM until 5:00PM, and on Fridays from 8:00AM until 3:30PM. Our attorneys typically do not meet with clients outside of those hours, and we do not meet with clients on the weekend. Our client meetings are by appointment only, and we do not normally accommodate “walk-ins” from either new or existing clients.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, personal or certified checks, money orders, and all major credit/debit cards. For your added convenience, we also accept payments through LawPay, which you can access by going to our homepage and clicking the “Make a Payment” button in the upper right corner.

*Note: Making a payment to our firm using the online “Make a Payment” feature does not establish representation by our attorneys unless and until you have previously confirmed said representation with the attorney and/or paralegal handling your case.

 

Do You Charge a Consultation Fee?

It depends on the type of consultation you need. For initial consultations involving separation and divorce, child custody, estate litigation, real estate issues, and civil litigation, our consultation fee is $200.00, payable at the time you meet with one of our attorneys. Initial consultations for traffic-related and criminal matters are typically offered free/at no charge. When you schedule your initial consultation, the paralegal will inform you if it will require payment of a fee. In some circumstances, the attorney will decide to apply the initial consultation fee towards his total fee quote for services/representation, and if so, you will be informed of this during your consultation.

Do I Need to Bring Anything to My Consultation?

Most cases involve some sort of paperwork, such as a traffic citation, a criminal warrant/summons, a contract and/or invoice, a Will or deed, a prior Court Order, or the lawsuit (Complaint and Civil Summons) with which you were just served. It is extremely helpful to the attorney to be able to review these documents during your consultation, so it is important that you bring with you the documents relevant to your situation. If you are unsure of which documents to bring, the paralegal scheduling your consultation will inform you.

 

 

How Long Does a Consultation Take?

In our experience, most consultations take approximately one (1) hour from the time you come in to the office, complete your intake form, pay your consultation fee (if applicable), and meet with the attorney. We typically do not charge any additional fees if your initial consultation exceeds the allotted scheduled time.

What Can I Expect During My Consultation?

During the consultation, the attorney will listen to you describe your situation, review any relevant documentation, ask questions for clarification, and then advise you on the best course of action to resolve your situation. The attorney will answer any questions you might have about your situation and provide you with a quote/fee for services, which is dependent on the course of action advised.

Do You Offer Telephone/Remote Consultations?

While our attorneys generally prefer meeting with clients in-person in our office, we understand that there are times when, logistically or geographically, a client cannot physically come to the office. As an alternative, we do offer telephone consultations and video/remote consultations via Zoom. If you are unable to come in to the office for your consultation, the paralegal scheduling your appointment will work with you to set up a telephone/video consultation.

What are your fees for representation?

Fees for representation are established at the discretion of the attorney on a case-by-case basis, as most situations are not “one size fits all” and fees can vary based on the specific facts, the complexity of the legal issue, and any existing time constraints or deadlines. In addition, litigation is unpredictable. We cannot predict where a lawsuit may lead, what actions we will be required to take, or predict what actions the opposing party may take. The attorney will take all of these factors into consideration when quoting you a fee for representation.

Some of the matters we handle are transactional, meaning we know for certain what the cost of completing a legal engagement will be and can quote a fixed fee for that transaction. Our firm generally offers fixed fee quotes for real estate closings, preparation of estate planning documents, traffic tickets, and adoptions. Our paralegals can provide the specific fee to you when you contact us for assistance in those areas.

Can I Make Payments Towards My Fee for Representation?

Generally, no. It is our firm’s policy to obtain payment in full before we begin any legal services on your behalf. However, through LawPay, our online payment portal, Client Credit/Affirm offers qualified clients a way to pay over time for the services they need. You can learn more about Client Credit/Affirm here: https://www.lawpay.com/affirm/