General Advice: 

The goal of representation is to help our clients avoid the loss of time, expense, mental stress, and uncertain outcome that always result with court proceedings. Although many law firms have claims to fame for their court victories (and we have ours too), our goal is to help you achieve your legal objectives and avoid having to go to court unless there is no other reasonable alternative.

When you are involved in a lawsuit or a conflict that appears to be headed toward a lawsuit, you should immediately seek legal advice. Many times we are able to help resolve a conflict or dispute before it becomes a lawsuit. It is important that you take action immediately. Do not ignore the situation or attempt to take the law into your own hands. For example, if you are experiencing marital difficulties and think a separation may be necessary, you need quality legal representation before taking any action. Simply leaving your spouse, without having a legal agreement or court order in place that allows you to do so, may be deemed an "abandonment" under North Carolina law. If you abandon your spouse, your conduct may have severe consequences. For example, where a spouse is abandoned, that spouse is often awarded primary custody of the children, child support, and sometimes financial support such as postseparation support and alimony. Abandonment, in most cases, can be avoided by a simple separation agreement that is executed contemporaneously with your separation.

The goal of our firm is to help you resolve the conflict or legal problem you are experiencing at the least cost to you. Once a lawsuit starts, you will have little control over the expenses being incurred for attorneys fees. For instance, we can settle your entire family law case, even where children are involved, for as little as $750 where all parties can agree to a separation agreement, property settlement and parenting agreement. However, the key is being able to agree on everything with your spouse or other parent. If you cannot agree, a lawsuit is likely to be involved and the initial fee will likely be two or three times what it would have taken to settle with an agreement. A lawsuit is a fight, and each party pays money to the attorneys to spend time in matters such as discovery of assets, procedure, numerous hearings, and often a trial or two, in an attempt to win the argument. Being in a lawsuit is expensive. Mr. Kelso's focus is not to play legal games or run up the cost of your case. However, fees must be paid to compensate for the time that is spent on the case in providing competent and aggressive legal representation for you.

Mr. Kelso has represented all types of family law clients and their issues. He will assist you in arriving at a plan that hopefully you can afford to try and help you to achieve your legal objectives. He has helped clients with meager resources, and clients with estates that exceed a millions of dollar. So whatever your financial condition, Mr. Kelso and his staff are there to assist you.

When a child or children are involved, special care is required to see that their best interests are protected as well. When parties can agree, we have parenting agreements that provide a fair division of parental time for each parent. Where domestic violence or unfitness is not an issue, our parenting agreements include a basic set of rights for children and parents, such as a parent's right to seek emergency and non-emergency medical care for a child, the right to obtain medical and school records, and other important rights.

Remember, if you are in a conflict or dispute with your spouse, or the other parent of your children, you need legal advice to avoid a lawsuit. If a lawsuit does occur, seek advice immediately in an attempt to resolve the case.

Other Services: 

In addition to representation of family law clients, Mr. Kelso has also served as a mediator and arbitrator of family law disputes.

He is also available to perform collaborative family law services upon request.

In meritorious cases, he has provided services as an expert witness and provided testimony in legal malpractice cases.

My clients' legal objectives are always foremost in my representation.

Call Mr. Kelso today!

Phone: 704-865-8684

The first 15 minutes of the first conference are always FREE !