Our Story

Our Mission

We want to:

  • Listen to each client
  • Provide individualized legal advice
  • Effectively handle legal and financial decisions
  • Keep family dynamics in mind
  • Maintain cost effective fees with the client in mind

Four convenient locations:

  • Durham, NC
  • Jacksonville, NC
  • Raleigh, NC
  • Wilmington, NC
Top rated
Cape Fear Family Law - Wilmington4.7
Based on 278 reviews
Daniela Furlough
2 years ago
Melenni and the staff at Cape Fear Family Law were extremely helpful and supportive. I was always afraid that lawyers would try to milk me for every cent, and I never felt that way with Melenni or any one else I worked with at Cape Fear Family Law. I felt valued and understood, and everyone was kind, friendly, and compassionate. I HIGHLY recommend Cape Fear Family Law!
Amber Hodges
1 year ago
I'd give 10 stars to Janet and her amazing team! Connor Green was the perfect lawyer for my child custody case. Connor was amazing throughout this challenging process! Always keeping his eye on the prize and never allowed the opposing counsel to intimidate us! He was so focused, persistence and professional- following the law and keeping my autistic son's best interest at heart from start to finish! Because of this I never had to go to trial, and I got what I wanted out of my child custody case! Janet and Connor kept me in check during the craziest time of my life by being consistent!! The team is informative, professional and gave me 110%. Connor is unlike any other lawyer while at our calendar call, he was the only lawyer that was present in the moment and kept his phone in his pocket when he was talking to me! My first lawyer never did this let alone gave me their full attention! DO NOT WASTE your money on any other lawyer! If you want a lawyer that will fight for not only you but have the best interest of your child, while following the letter of the law, then you need to hire Janet and her team and ask for Connor Green!
Jaime
1 year ago
Kayleigh Davenport is a great attorney. She is communicative, responds to questions quickly, and was a great support during my divorce. I am very happy with her representation.
Meg'n Williamson
2 years ago
Caleb Mobley
11 months ago
I cannot recommend Janet Gemmell and the entire team at Cape Fear Family Law enough. When I came to them, I was facing a stressful and complicated divorce case involving equitable distribution and child support. From the moment I started working with Janet, I felt a sense of relief and confidence. The entire team—including Cassandra, Kara, and Melissa—was professional, communicative, and tireless in their efforts. They took the time to explain every detail, from the complexities of the Equitable Distribution Spreadsheet to the ongoing negotiations for child support and alimony. They were always responsive and kept me in the loop on every development, which made a world of difference. Ultimately, Janet and the team guided me to a successful resolution. Signing the final Consent Order felt like a huge weight was lifted, and I am completely satisfied with the services they provided. If you need a dedicated, knowledgeable, and effective team for a family law matter, look no further than Cape Fear Family Law. They are truly the best in the business.
Excellent
Cape Fear Family Law - Raleigh5.0
Based on 8 reviews
Dallisha Rogers
1 year ago
Marcus Tingling was my lawyer and he won my case. He was very patient and he cared for me and my situation. Me and my family are Greatful for everything he has done for us!
Response from the owner:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our hearts are full reading this! 💙 Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! Knowing that Marcus not only won your case but also showed you the patience and genuine care you deserved during what was likely a challenging time - that's everything to us! 🙌 What really stands out is how you felt truly CARED for throughout the process. That's not always easy to find, and it speaks volumes about the kind of person you are that you recognized and appreciated Marcus's dedication to you and your family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨ We're absolutely thrilled that we could be part of your victory! 🎉 But honestly? Clients like you - who show gratitude and take time to acknowledge good work - make Marcus's job so much more meaningful. You're the reason he loves what he does! Your family's gratitude means more than you know, and we're just so honored we could help during an important chapter of your lives. 🏆 Wishing you and your entire family continued success, happiness, and all the wonderful things life has to offer! You deserve every bit of good fortune coming your way! 🌟🚀 Keep that amazing spirit of gratitude - it's going to take you far! With heartfelt appreciation, The Team 💙 P.S. - Marcus is beaming and says working with families like yours reminds him why he became a lawyer in the first place! 😊
Bill Mathias
1 year ago
Janet is definitely, by far, the best attorney I have ever dealt with. She is patient, courteous, competent, and cares about her clients and time. Thank you for everything Janet
Ellen Snyder
1 year ago
Each person I spoke with genuinely listened to me and my goals. Answered questions readily. These folks are top notch and I wouldn’t hesitate to contact them in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that our team took the time to listen, answer your questions, and support your goals every step of the way. At Cape Fear Family Law, genuine connection and clear communication are at the heart of what we do. We truly appreciate your trust and look forward to being here for you anytime you need us in the future. ⚖️
Cristina Leone
2 years ago
Mark was super amazing! He was clear & answered all of my questions...it felt so comfortable discussing with him about everything
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 We love hearing that Marcus made you feel comfortable and supported – that’s exactly what we strive for with every client. His clear communication and approachable style really shine, and we’re so glad he could be there to answer all your questions and guide you through it all. Wishing you all the best moving forward, and if you ever need us again, you know where to find us – Marcus will be ready to help! 💙
Justin B
6 months ago
Ashly F. went above and beyond outside of business hours to get me the paperwork I needed promptly.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the review! We truly appreciate you taking the time to highlight the hard work Ashly Futch put in for you. Ashly is a total rockstar on the **#BestTeaminLegal**, and we are so glad she was there to get you across the finish line! We often tell her that the "business hours" sign on the front door is more of a "suggestion" to her when a client is in need, but seeing her dedication recognized like this means the world to us. We’re starting to suspect she might actually be powered by a secret, high-grade espresso machine ☕️ we haven't found yet! At Cape Fear Family Law, our "We Take Care" mission means doing whatever it takes to ensure our clients feel supported, even when the sun goes down. Now that the paperwork is off your plate and in the right hands, we hope you can finally breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy some well-deserved peace of mind! **#BestTeaminLegal**
Top rated
Cape Fear Family Law - Durham4.8
Based on 417 reviews
verl matthews
2 years ago
I would like to thank everyone at Cape Fear Family law.Especially Marcus Tingling he was a caring person.He was there when I needed help getting custody of my grandchildren. I could call anytime if I needed help with stuff I didn’t understand. I would call their law firm again!
Sarah Koob
9 months ago
I hired Allie Moore during a very difficult divorce, and I cannot say enough good things about her and her team. From start to finish, they were incredibly responsive, thorough, and consistently on point. Allie clearly knows the law inside and out and handled every aspect of my case with confidence and professionalism. She was phenomenal to work with, always accessible when I had questions, and made an extremely challenging process much more manageable. I highly recommend Allie Moore and her team to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation.
Ben Baker
9 months ago
Roy Jacobs did a fantastic job handling my divorce. He was professional and timely in all his dealings and really fought on my behalf....so thankful he was recommended to me. 10/10 would recommend using him if you have legal needs.
jc mollys
1 year ago
I had an emergency and needed to get emergency custody and Cape Fear law got it done within six hours and they were very thorough about every part of the process very knowledgeable very quick to answer any questions and very person
Chris Vandiford
1 year ago
The team was very professional and empathetic to my situation. Fortunately prior to executing my separation agreement my wife and I decided to reconcile. Ashley was very encouraging of this. This firm was great to work with.
Excellent
Cape Fear Family Law - Raleigh5.0
Based on 8 reviews
Bill Mathias
1 year ago
Janet is definitely, by far, the best attorney I have ever dealt with. She is patient, courteous, competent, and cares about her clients and time. Thank you for everything Janet
Ellen Snyder
1 year ago
Each person I spoke with genuinely listened to me and my goals. Answered questions readily. These folks are top notch and I wouldn’t hesitate to contact them in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that our team took the time to listen, answer your questions, and support your goals every step of the way. At Cape Fear Family Law, genuine connection and clear communication are at the heart of what we do. We truly appreciate your trust and look forward to being here for you anytime you need us in the future. ⚖️
Cristina Leone
2 years ago
Mark was super amazing! He was clear & answered all of my questions...it felt so comfortable discussing with him about everything
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 We love hearing that Marcus made you feel comfortable and supported – that’s exactly what we strive for with every client. His clear communication and approachable style really shine, and we’re so glad he could be there to answer all your questions and guide you through it all. Wishing you all the best moving forward, and if you ever need us again, you know where to find us – Marcus will be ready to help! 💙
Dallisha Rogers
1 year ago
Marcus Tingling was my lawyer and he won my case. He was very patient and he cared for me and my situation. Me and my family are Greatful for everything he has done for us!
Response from the owner:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our hearts are full reading this! 💙 Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! Knowing that Marcus not only won your case but also showed you the patience and genuine care you deserved during what was likely a challenging time - that's everything to us! 🙌 What really stands out is how you felt truly CARED for throughout the process. That's not always easy to find, and it speaks volumes about the kind of person you are that you recognized and appreciated Marcus's dedication to you and your family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨ We're absolutely thrilled that we could be part of your victory! 🎉 But honestly? Clients like you - who show gratitude and take time to acknowledge good work - make Marcus's job so much more meaningful. You're the reason he loves what he does! Your family's gratitude means more than you know, and we're just so honored we could help during an important chapter of your lives. 🏆 Wishing you and your entire family continued success, happiness, and all the wonderful things life has to offer! You deserve every bit of good fortune coming your way! 🌟🚀 Keep that amazing spirit of gratitude - it's going to take you far! With heartfelt appreciation, The Team 💙 P.S. - Marcus is beaming and says working with families like yours reminds him why he became a lawyer in the first place! 😊
Justin B
6 months ago
Ashly F. went above and beyond outside of business hours to get me the paperwork I needed promptly.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the review! We truly appreciate you taking the time to highlight the hard work Ashly Futch put in for you. Ashly is a total rockstar on the **#BestTeaminLegal**, and we are so glad she was there to get you across the finish line! We often tell her that the "business hours" sign on the front door is more of a "suggestion" to her when a client is in need, but seeing her dedication recognized like this means the world to us. We’re starting to suspect she might actually be powered by a secret, high-grade espresso machine ☕️ we haven't found yet! At Cape Fear Family Law, our "We Take Care" mission means doing whatever it takes to ensure our clients feel supported, even when the sun goes down. Now that the paperwork is off your plate and in the right hands, we hope you can finally breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy some well-deserved peace of mind! **#BestTeaminLegal**
Cape Fear Family Law | Divorce Attorney Jacksonville NC – Divorce Lawyer Reviews

Our Core Values

Knowledgeable

Knowledgeable

We know what to do and we actively share our knowledge.

Integrity

Integrity

Honesty in action and a good moral compass.

Empathetic

Empathetic

Active understanding without judgment.

Accountable

Accountable

To yourself, your clients, your colleagues and the court.

Areas Of Practice

Child custody and visitation are two of the most important issues that stem from a relationship failing, but they are not the only issues. Often with relationship dissolution the financial tensions are extreme. Managing retirement division through equitable distribution and cash flow between two homes through alimony is fraught with conflict. We take care to guide clients through the legal landscape, out of court negotiations, and in court processes that sometimes are needed when parties cannot agree.

Services We Provide

Cape Fear Family Law | Divorce Attorney Jacksonville NC Wilmington NC

Divorce

When a marriage ends, legal issues immediately arise. Getting strong legal advice is the only option.

Cape Fear Family Law | Children Child Custody Child Support Attorney Wilmington NC Wilmington NC

Children

They are the most important thing in your life. Let us help you protect what you love.

Cape Fear Family Law | Children Adoption in North Carolina

Adoption

There are multiple types of adoption available. We can help you navigate through the process.

Meet Our Team

Find an attorney in your North Carolina County

Select the North Carolina County that your case will be filed in to see which of our attorneys practice within your county. Then choose a lawyer form the list to read more about each attorney.

Let's Connect

WILMINGTON OFFICE

Cape Fear Family Law – Wilmington
5101 Dunlea Court, Suite 202
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 210-0349

JACKSONVILLE OFFICE

Cape Fear Family Law – Jacksonville
222 New Bridge Street
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 202-4063

DURHAM OFFICE

Cape Fear Family Law – Durham
3917 University Drive, Suite 250
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 858-2744

RALEIGH OFFICE

Cape Fear Family Law – Raleigh
4601 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 3B
Raleigh NC 27607
(919) 925-4199

FAX

(877) 848-4028

Contact Us Today!

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Latest Blog Posts

What Happens If You Miss Your Equitable Distribution Hearing in North Carolina?

A 2026 Decision on Notice, Default, and Getting It Undone

Can You Waive Alimony in a Premarital Agreement in North Carolina?

A 2026 Court of Appeals Decision Says Yes — and Explains Why “I Never Read It” Does Not Help

What Should I Do Before I Move Out on My Date of Separation?

The North Carolina Walkthrough Checklist. In North Carolina, treat the day you move out as a date you will have to prove later.

What Documents Does My Attorney Need Before Alimony Negotiation?

The Complete North Carolina List.
For an alimony negotiation in North Carolina, gather records showing both spouses’ income, actual household expenses, assets, debts, insurance, and employment benefits.

Should I Keep the House or Sell It?

The Short-Term Case for Stability and the Long-Term Case for the Asset

Part 6 🎥 Rule #4: Don't make your child the messengerIt can start innocently. "Was her boyfriend there?" "Did she sleep over last night?" "Was he there when you woke up?"You may think you're gathering evidence. But your child experiences something very different. They instantly sense that the other parent could be hurt by whatever they say, and that puts them in a loyalty bind. Over time, that can mean real anxiety, fear, and sometimes even depression.Your child isn't a tiny investigator, a counselor, or a private detective. They should be able to come home and tell you about their time with the other parent without feeling like they're being interrogated.Information you feel entitled to isn't worth that cost to your child.🎙️ Janet Gemmell, Attorney & Board Certified Family Law Specialist, shares why this rule matters for your kids and for your case.Navigating co-parenting after separation? Our team is here to help. Reach out to Cape Fear Family Law to talk through your situation.#FamilyLaw #CoParenting #CustodyCase #ChildCustody #DivorceAdvice #WilmingtonNC #DurhamNC #NorthCarolinaFamilyLaw
Part 6 🎥 Rule #4: Don't make your child the messengerIt can start innocently. "Was her boyfriend there?" "Did she sleep over last night?" "Was he there when you woke up?"You may think you're gathering evidence. But your child experiences something very different. They instantly sense that the other parent could be hurt by whatever they say, and that puts them in a loyalty bind. Over time, that can mean real anxiety, fear, and sometimes even depression.Your child isn't a tiny investigator, a counselor, or a private detective. They should be able to come home and tell you about their time with the other parent without feeling like they're being interrogated.Information you feel entitled to isn't worth that cost to your child.🎙️ Janet Gemmell, Attorney & Board Certified Family Law Specialist, shares why this rule matters for your kids and for your case.Navigating co-parenting after separation? Our team is here to help. Reach out to Cape Fear Family Law to talk through your situation.#FamilyLaw #CoParenting #CustodyCase #ChildCustody #DivorceAdvice #WilmingtonNC #DurhamNC #NorthCarolinaFamilyLaw
“Having an attorney you can trust makes a real difference.” 💚We’re grateful to Kevin D. for sharing his experience working with Wesley Taynton at Cape Fear Family Law.From providing knowledgeable guidance to answering questions and staying responsive throughout the process, Wesley is committed to helping clients feel informed and supported along the way.Thank you, Kevin, for your trust and for recommending Wesley and our team!
Looking for guidance with a family law matter in North Carolina? We’re here to help you understand your options.📍 Wilmington | Jacksonville | Durham | Raleigh#CapeFearFamilyLaw #WesleyTaynton #ClientTestimonial #NCFamilyLaw #FamilyLawAttorney #ClientExperience
Part 5 🎥 New partner, two very different outcomesSame separation. Two different approaches to a new partner. Watch how each one lands on the kids. 🎙️ Janet Gemmell, Attorney & Board Certified Family Law Specialist#FamilyLaw #CoParenting #CustodyCase #DivorceTok #WilmingtonNC