— Counsel for families in Lenoir & Caldwell County
Divorce & Family Law
Attorneys in Lenoir,
North Carolina.
A Caldwell County family-law case is a hard season of life. King & Rowe has represented Lenoir spouses and parents for years, and our attorneys appear at the Caldwell County Courthouse regularly on divorce, custody, and protective-order matters.
— Local court
Caldwell County
Courthouse
216 Main Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645
— Our office
Hickory
2017 N Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601
— Proximity
~ 17 miles
north via US-321
— Experience
20+ years
combined practice
§ I — Overview
Lenoir counsel, a short drive from home.
Caldwell County divorce, custody, and protective-order cases are heard at the Caldwell County Courthouse in downtown Lenoir. Our office is seventeen miles south in Hickory via US-321, and we represent Lenoir, Granite Falls, Hudson, and Sawmills families regularly.
Alex King and Evan Rowe founded this firm on a simple premise: a good lawyer returns your call, reads your file, and tells you the truth. Alex leads the family law practice with that philosophy — listen first, then build a strategy that protects what matters most.
If you're facing a family-law matter anywhere in Caldwell County, our Hickory office is a short drive south and a good place to start.
§ II — What we handle
Divorce, custody, and the work that keeps a family moving forward.
Family law in North Carolina touches property, children, support, and protection. Each part has its own rules — we handle all of them, together, in a single thoughtful strategy.
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I.
Absolute divorce
North Carolina is a one-year-separation state — you must live separate and apart from your spouse for a full year and a day before you can file for absolute divorce under N.C.G.S. § 50-6. We file the complaint, handle service, and appear at the hearing. See our post on what happens when a spouse won't sign.
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II.
Separation agreements
The contract that governs life during separation — property, debts, support, and custody schedules. A well-drafted separation agreement protects you before, during, and after divorce. Many issues are easier to resolve here than in court.
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III.
Child custody & support
Legal custody, physical custody, and visitation schedules under the "best interest of the child" standard. Child support is calculated under the NC Child Support Guidelines. We handle mediation, temporary orders, and contested custody hearings.
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IV.
Alimony & post-separation support
Post-separation support gets money moving quickly; alimony is the longer-term award under N.C.G.S. § 50-16.3A. Whether you're the supporting or dependent spouse, the factors are the same sixteen — we argue each one that matters.
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V.
Equitable distribution
Dividing the marital estate under N.C.G.S. § 50-20. Real estate, retirement accounts, business interests, and marital debts. The presumption is equal — but "equal" isn't always the right answer. We build the case for the distribution that fits your facts.
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VI.
Domestic violence protective orders
Emergency ex parte and one-year 50B orders to protect you and your family. If you need one right now, we can often file the same day.
“After years of tension, they helped us reach a parenting agreement I can actually live with. That is worth more than I can say.”
§ III — Counsel
Founding Partner · Family Law
Alex King
Alex King leads the firm's family law practice. He has represented spouses, parents, and families across western North Carolina in divorce, child custody, alimony, and equitable distribution matters. His approach is patient and prepared — he listens first, then builds a strategy that protects what matters most, which is most often the children.
- Bar
- North Carolina State Bar
- Focus
- Family law · Estate planning · Civil litigation
- Admitted
- State & federal courts
§ IV — Frequently asked
Questions about family law in Lenoir, answered.
How long does it take to get divorced in Lenoir, NC?+
Absolute divorce in North Carolina requires one year of continuous separation under N.C.G.S. § 50-6. Once that year is complete, an uncontested absolute divorce typically takes 45 to 90 days from filing to decree. Contested divorces — where property division, custody, or alimony are disputed — can take many months longer and often run in parallel with the divorce itself.
Do I need a separation agreement before I can file for divorce?+
Technically no — the only legal requirement for absolute divorce in North Carolina is a year and a day of separation. But a separation agreement is strongly recommended because it resolves property, debts, custody, and support while issues are still fresh and often on better terms than a court would order. See our guide on separation agreements.
How is alimony determined in North Carolina?+
Alimony depends on whether there's a dependent spouse and a supporting spouse, and then on the sixteen factors listed in N.C.G.S. § 50-16.3A — including earnings, earning capacity, standard of living, marital misconduct, and length of the marriage. Amounts and duration are not fixed by statute — they're decided by the judge. See our detailed post on alimony.
How is child custody decided in North Carolina?+
Custody is decided under the "best interest of the child" standard in N.C.G.S. § 50-13.2. Judges consider the child's relationship with each parent, stability, each parent's fitness, and (if the child is mature enough) the child's wishes. Most cases go through court-ordered mediation before trial. Read more in how custody is determined.
How is property divided in a NC divorce?+
Equitable distribution under N.C.G.S. § 50-20. The court starts from a presumption of equal division of marital property, then adjusts based on statutory factors (income, debts, tax consequences, contributions to the family, and more). Separate property — what each spouse owned before marriage or inherited — is not divided.
What is a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVO or 50B)?+
A court order protecting you from a domestic partner who has committed acts of violence, threats, or harassment, issued under N.C.G.S. § 50B-3. An ex parte order can issue the same day in emergencies; a final order (up to one year, renewable) requires a hearing. A 50B order can include no-contact, custody provisions, possession of the home, and firearm prohibitions. Violating one is a crime.
What's the difference between separation and divorce in North Carolina?+
Separation begins the day one spouse moves out with the intent to live separately. "Legal separation" isn't a separate court proceeding in NC — you're simply separated. Divorce is the final court judgment ending the marriage, obtainable after a full year of separation. Many financial and custody issues can be resolved during separation through a separation agreement.
Can I get divorced if my spouse doesn't cooperate?+
Yes. North Carolina's no-fault divorce only requires one year of separation — your spouse's consent isn't required. If they won't sign for service of the complaint, we can serve through the sheriff or (as a last resort) by publication. The divorce will still be granted.