Asheville Divorce Lawyers
Last updated on May 21, 2026
With so much at stake during a divorce – what happens to the children, who gets the house, and how will savings and property issues be resolved – it is imperative to have an experienced family attorney advocating on your behalf throughout the entire process.
At Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett, we are experienced in every facet of the law relating to child custody, equitable distribution of marital property, spousal support, and all other relevant issues that arise during a divorce. With more than 45 combined years of legal experience, we have the skills and knowledge necessary to adeptly address all nuances of each unique divorce situation.
Our family law representation experience is especially beneficial in complex, high-asset divorces, where substantial assets and special issues are involved, where the choice of attorney has an even greater impact on the ultimate settlement or divorce decree.
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Powerful Representation For All Your Divorce Needs
Our primary concern is meeting your goals and helping you get through your divorce or separation as efficiently and easily as possible. We’re experienced in all aspects of family law litigation and do not hesitate to aggressively protect our clients’ interests, but we are also well-versed in alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration proceedings. In any setting, we have the resources and extensive legal knowledge necessary to resolve issues related to:
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Who Needs A Divorce Lawyer?
Although anyone can benefit from hiring an attorney as soon as he or she realizes that their marriage or relationship has reached its end, it is especially important to retain legal counsel if:
- Your spouse has already hired a lawyer. If the other side has representation, you should be represented, as well. This ensures that you always have someone protecting your best interests and are on equal footing with someone at your side who knows the law, the rules of evidence, procedure, and local rules and can avoid you be taken advantage of by the opposing counsel. Their attorney will be aggressively advocating for them. You need a strong advocate at your side.
- The relationship involved child or spousal abuse or domestic violence. A skilled lawyer can help you obtain legal protection, such as emergency custody or a restraining order so that you and your children do not have to fear retribution from an abusive spouse.
- You know that your soon-to-be ex wants revenge. Our skilled lawyers can provide you with the calm, confident representation you need to navigate through a divorce marked by a former spouse’s pettiness, anger or irrational demands.
- You or the other party had an affair. If your divorce involves elements of alienation of affection or adultery, an experienced attorney can navigate you through the issues involved when the divorce is complicated by these factors.
- Issues of child relocation are involved. A lawyer is especially helpful if the adverse party has or is threatening to remove your child or children or keep them away from you, or if you are seeking to relocate. A parent’s relationship with their children is critical and you need someone to protect and preserve this bond.
How Do I File For Divorce In North Carolina?
The residency requirements in North Carolina mean that one of you must live in the state for six months before filing for divorce. Once you meet this requirement, you can file your divorce paperwork and serve a divorce petition to your spouse. Here’s the paperwork you’ll need:
- A divorce complaint outlining your case and the basic facts
- A summons informing your spouse that you are asking for an absolute divorce
- A court filing fee payment
- An SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) affidavit, which informs the court if your spouse is a military service member
- A Domestic Civil Action Cover Sheet
After filing, you and your spouse will decide whether to mediate or litigate the divorce. If your spouse fails to respond, you can obtain a default divorce.
What Are The Grounds For Divorce In North Carolina?
North Carolina uses no-fault divorce laws, which means you don’t have to prove your spouse did anything wrong. You and your spouse simply have irreconcilable differences and would like to end your marriage.
However, North Carolina law requires that couples live apart for 12 months before they can file for a no-fault divorce. You can’t live under the same roof for the entire 12 months. If you move back together, even briefly, the 12-month period resets.
North Carolina also recognizes incurable insanity as grounds for divorce. Although this is rare, it is possible to use if one spouse has a medical diagnosis and both individuals have been living apart for three consecutive years.
How Long Does The Divorce Process Take In North Carolina?
Each divorce case is unique, but it generally takes a few months. A complex or contentious divorce, however, could take a year or more. Our experienced divorce family lawyers will assess your unique situation by reviewing the issues involved, the level of agreement between you and your spouse, the presence of children or complex assets and whether court intervention is likely to be required.
Contested Vs. Uncontested Divorce In North Carolina
If your goal is to get through the divorce quickly, there are steps you can take. For instance, a contested divorce will take longer than an amicable divorce because the court must make a ruling. If you and your spouse can agree on basic matters like child custody or how to divide marital assets, the process is much faster. The court will still need to approve your decisions to ensure they are within the bounds of the law, but that takes less time than issuing an order.
In an uncontested divorce, spouses resolve the major terms outside the courtroom and submit the required paperwork for approval. In a contested divorce, one or more core issues remain disputed, and the court must decide them through hearings, motions and sometimes a trial. Common differences include:
- How decisions get made: In an uncontested case, you and your spouse reach written agreements on key issues and ask the court to approve them. In a contested case, a judge makes decisions after reviewing evidence and legal arguments, which increases time, cost and uncertainty.
- How custody and parenting disputes affect timing: When parents cannot agree on custody, visitation or decision-making, the case usually slows down. Courts may require mediation, parenting plans, temporary orders or evaluations, depending on the dispute, all of which can extend the timeline.
- How property and support disputes create delays: Disagreement over the division of marital property, debt or spousal support often triggers additional steps, including formal financial disclosures and follow-up requests for documentation. If one spouse disputes valuations or claims the other spouse is not being transparent, the case can take significantly longer.
- How court scheduling impacts contested cases: Even when you are ready to move forward, a contested divorce depends on hearing dates and courtroom availability. Continuances, motion practice and the need for multiple appearances can stretch a case out well beyond what most people expect at the start.
- Why the court still reviews uncontested outcomes: Even if you and your spouse agree, the court must still approve your decisions to confirm they comply with North Carolina law and meet required standards, particularly when children are involved. That review generally takes less time than a court issuing rulings after disputed hearings.
In many divorces, the case starts with disagreements, but it does not have to remain fully contested. With focused preparation and strategic negotiation, it is often possible to narrow the disputed issues, reach agreements on specific terms and reduce the number of court events required to finalize the case.
Our family lawyers specialize in uncontested divorce in Asheville and can help clients evaluate which issues are worth litigating and what documentation is needed to support their position.
What Happens If My Spouse And I Cannot Agree On A Divorce Settlement?
If you and your spouse can agree on a divorce settlement, you can often make your own decisions about things like child custody or property division and simply have them approved by the court.
But if you cannot agree on these details, then your divorce may need to go through litigation. This can make it more expensive and can significantly extend the duration of the divorce case. For instance, the court will need significant financial disclosures to determine how property should be divided, and they’ll need to look at a variety of factors to determine child custody arrangements, such as:
- The child’s age
- The parents’ roles as breadwinners or caretakers
- If there’s a history of abuse or criminal activity
- The child’s preferences
- Any specific needs that the child has
- Connections with extended family members
- The parents’ physical and mental health
- And much more
You can still get divorced, even if you cannot agree, but it just takes longer because you need a court ruling – so you have to attend hearings and file appropriate documentation.
Can My Spouse And I Use The Same Divorce Lawyer?
Typically, the answer is no. The reason for this is that it could create a conflict of interest for the attorney. If you and your spouse are litigating your divorce, then you need to have legal counsel on both sides so you know your attorney is truly looking out for your best interests. You need someone who can provide effective legal guidance based on your specific situation. Even if it is an amicable divorce, both you and your spouse should have your own lawyer as you go through a divorce – whether you’re addressing child custody rights, division of marital property or other details.
What Are The Best Characteristics To Look For In An Asheville Divorce Attorney?
You need an attorney with excellent communication skills. Here at Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett, we are known for offering straightforward legal advice and personalized attention, giving each case the care it deserves. It is also helpful to have an attorney who is experienced – which is another area where we shine, as we have more than 45 years of combined experience on our team. Our experience helps us know what strategies to use, how to put our clients first and what steps to take to seek the best possible outcome.
Contact A Knowledgeable Divorce Attorney
To arrange a confidential consultation with our conveniently located Asheville-area divorce lawyers, call Bull, Reinhardt, and Bowkett, at 828-254-0499 or contact us online.