Child Custody & Parenting Rights · Raleigh, NC

Your child’s world is changing.
We help you stay in it.

A custody case is never really about a calendar — it’s about your place in your child’s life. Our Raleigh family-law team protects that relationship with steady, strategic, deeply human advocacy.

★★★★★ 4.9 / 5 across 180+ Google reviews · confidential & judgment-free
Raleigh's Best 2025
Raleigh’s BestFamily Law · 2025
Father carrying his two children outdoors
Parent and child hands
G ★★★★★

“They fought for my time with my daughter like it was their own. I still get my weekends because of them.”

— Marcus T. · Custody, Wake County
26+Years protecting NC families
500+Custody & parenting matters
4.9★Google client rating
NCBA NCAJ AAJ National Trial Lawyers BBB WRAL Voters' Choice Cary DUI Lawyers 2025
Parent comforting child

“For the first time since the separation, I felt like someone was actually on my side.”

— Danielle R., mother of two
We understand what’s really at stake

You’re not fighting over time. You’re protecting a relationship.

Maybe you’re afraid of becoming a weekend parent. Maybe the other side is rewriting history. Maybe you just want your kids to feel safe and steady through all of it. Whatever brought you here, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

We’ve guided hundreds of Raleigh parents through exactly this moment — and we lead with listening before we ever talk strategy.

A confidential, no-pressure first conversation — even if you’re only exploring options.
Honest expectations about what NC custody law means for your situation.
A plan built around your child’s real life — school, routines, and well-being.
Courthouse detail
What judges look for in custody cases

NC courts decide on the child’s best interests — here’s what that means.

01

Stability & routine

Who provides a consistent home, school, and daily structure for the child.

02

Each parent’s involvement

History of caregiving — meals, bedtimes, doctor visits, school pickups.

03

Co-parenting willingness

Whether each parent supports the child’s relationship with the other.

04

Safety & well-being

Any history that bears on the child’s physical and emotional safety.

We help you document the things that matter — and present them clearly when it counts.

Parent and child walking together
Protecting your relationship with your child

The goal isn’t winning. It’s staying close.

Custody outcomes shape birthdays, bedtimes, and the thousand ordinary moments that make you a parent. We approach every case with that weight in mind — pursuing arrangements that keep you present in your child’s everyday life, not just on paper.

When cooperation is possible, we protect it. When it isn’t, we’re prepared to advocate firmly in court — always anchored to what keeps your child secure.

See how we can help
What to expect during the custody process

A clear path, so nothing catches you off guard.

Most parents have never done this before. Here’s how it typically unfolds when you work with us.

Step 01

Listen & assess

A confidential consultation to understand your family, your fears, and your goals — and to map your realistic options.

Step 02

Build the case

We gather what matters — your parenting history, documentation, and a proposed plan rooted in your child’s routine.

Step 03

Negotiate or mediate

Many custody matters settle. We pursue a parenting agreement that protects your time without unnecessary conflict.

Step 04

Advocate in court

If a fair resolution isn’t possible, we’re trial-ready — presenting your case clearly to the judge.

How we help parents

Steady hands for difficult situations.

Custody rarely arrives on its own. Whatever your circumstances, we meet you where you are — without judgment.

Establishing custody

First-time custody orders for unmarried or newly separated parents — building structure where there’s none yet.

Modifying an order

When life changes — a move, a new job, a parent falling short — we petition to modify custody or support.

Enforcing your rights

When the other parent ignores the order or withholds your time, we move quickly to enforce it.

High-conflict & safety

For cases involving safety concerns or relocation, we advocate firmly while keeping your child’s welfare central.

Jared Hammett, Family Law attorney
26+
Years
500+
Families
4.9★
Rating
Meet your advocate

A custody case is one of the most personal things a person goes through. My job is to carry the legal weight, so you can stay focused on being there for your kids.”

Jared Hammett
Lead Family Law Attorney · Kurtz & Blum
Book with Jared
Parents we’ve stood beside

Real outcomes, in their own words.

Names shortened at our clients’ request. Verified Google reviews.

★★★★★

“I was terrified I’d lose real time with my son. They didn’t just reassure me — they built a plan, showed up prepared, and got me joint custody. I’ll never forget it.”

Marcus T.
Joint Custody · 2024
★★★★★G

“Calm, honest, and never once made me feel judged for my situation. That mattered more than they know.”

Danielle R.
Custody Modification
★★★★★

“The other side tried to push me out. K&B made sure the judge saw who actually shows up for our daughter.”

Andre W.
Custody Dispute · 2025
★★★★★

“They explained every step in plain language. For the first time in months, I could actually sleep.”

Priya S.
Parenting Agreement
★★★★★

“Worth every dollar. Responsive, strategic, and genuinely kind during the hardest year of my life.”

Greg M.
Relocation Case
★★★★★

“I came in expecting a shark. I got a team that actually cared whether my kids were okay.”

Lauren K.
Initial Custody Order
Questions parents ask

Plain answers, before you commit.

If yours isn’t here, ask it at your free consultation — there’s no penalty for not knowing the right legal terms yet.

Does North Carolina favor mothers in custody cases?

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No. NC law does not presume either parent is the better custodian. Courts decide custody on the “best interests of the child,” weighing stability, caregiving history, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs.

What’s the difference between legal and physical custody?

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Legal custody is the right to make major decisions (school, healthcare, religion). Physical custody is where the child lives day to day. Either can be sole or joint, and they’re decided separately.

Can a custody order be changed later?

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Yes. If there’s been a substantial change in circumstances affecting the child, either parent can petition to modify custody. We handle modifications and enforcement regularly.

Do we have to go to court?

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Often, no. Many custody matters resolve through a negotiated parenting agreement or mediation. We pursue those paths first — but prepare every case as if it may go to trial.

How much does a custody attorney cost?

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We discuss fees transparently at your first consultation. The conversation itself is free and confidential — even if you decide not to move forward.

★★★★★

“The day I called them was the day this stopped feeling impossible.”

— Verified Google review · Custody client
Free & confidential consultation

Let’s protect your time together.

Tell us a little about your situation. A Kurtz & Blum custody attorney will reach out within one business day — no pressure, no judgment.

Your information is kept strictly confidential. No attorney-client relationship is formed by this submission.
Talk to a Raleigh custody attorney today.
Free & confidential · 4.9★ from 180+ parents