Filing for Custody: When to seek advice from a lawyer

In some situations, it is strongly recommended that you get advice from a lawyer before deciding to file a custody case on your own without a lawyer.  Additional steps may be required, or you may not be allowed to file for custody in North Carolina.
 
Below are some of these situations:

•   You or the children are victims of domestic violence

•   The children have lived in North Carolina less than 6 months

•   One parent lives outside North Carolina

•   One parent is in the military

•   You do not know the current whereabouts of the other parent

•   There has been another custody case involving these children

•   There has been a Juvenile Court case involving these children

•   DSS Child Protective Services has placed these children with someone else

•   The children live with someone who is not their parent