Board Certified Family Law Specialization

Most people know that lawyers are governed and regulated by the State Bar of their particular state. North Carolina lawyers are governed and regulated by the North Carolina State Bar. North Carolina lawyers must pass the North Carolina bar exam and be vetted by the North Carolina State Bar before they may be licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina.

The North Carolina State Bar also provides other, lesser known, services to both lawyers and citizens of North Carolina. One such service is the identification, vetting, and regulation of certain lawyers as “specialists” in their particular type of law practice. This is handled by the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization.

Family law practice is one such type of law practice which is recognized as a field for specialization by the North Carolina State Bar. Arnold & Smith, PLLC has divorce and family law attorneys who are Board Certified Specialists in Family Law.

One might wonder what it takes to become a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. There are several requirements and the process takes several months and a great deal of effort by candidates seeking to be certified as a Family Law Specialist. The first requirement is that the lawyer must be licensed and in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar. The lawyer must be substantially involved in the practice area, usually for a minimum of five years. Within the three years preceding the application, the lawyer must take a certain number of hours of continuing legal education in the area of law in which the lawyer seeks specialization. The lawyer must make a satisfactory showing of ability in the area of specialization through peer review. Finally, the lawyer must secure a satisfactory score on a written examination on the area of law.

The primary benefit of securing a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law is that you know the attorney has demonstrated to the Board of Legal Specialization that they are proficient in divorce and family law matters. This includes proficiency in child custody and child support matters, alimony cases and equitable distribution matters. It also includes such matters as the Uniform Child Custody and Jurisdiction Act which dictates where interstate child custody cases must be filed. Domestic Violence Orders of Protection and other restraining orders are also covered by this category of specialization. North Carolina Board Certified Specialists in Family Law also must demonstrate proficiency in areas of the law such as the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

This level of accountability is very important when selecting your divorce lawyer. When going through something as difficult and life changing as a separation and divorce in North Carolina, do not leave your selection of a family law lawyer to chance. Nowadays, it can be difficult to discern the experienced and talented divorce attorneys from those who have snazzy advertising and little skill. By hiring a family law specialist, you can rest assured that the lawyer has met high standards for specialization by the North Carolina State Bar and that they know what they are doing. When the stakes are high, make sure you do not take chances with an incompetent lawyer. Make sure you are in good hands with a lawyer who specializes in family and divorce law.

Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule a consultation with a lawyer who specializes in Family and Divorce Law in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Our family law and divorce specialists are available to consult with you in Charlotte, North Carolina about your North Carolina family law and divorce case. Time is always of the essence in separation, divorce and family law matters. Every second that passes before you take action can have an impact on the final outcome of your case. The sooner you talk with a Charlotte divorce and family law specialist lawyer the sooner they can get to work helping you through the process.