How many custody & visitation resources are in North Carolina?

Women's Corner tracks 12 custody & visitation resources for women in North Carolina.

Are custody & visitation resources in North Carolina free?

11 of the 12 listed custody & visitation resources in North Carolina are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in North Carolina have custody & visitation resources?

Listings span cities including Raleigh, Charlotte, Cary.

What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in North Carolina?

Featured entries include North Carolina Judicial Branch — Family Law, Legal Aid of North Carolina — Family Law, Mecklenburg County Family Court — Charlotte, NC Bar Association — Lawyer Referral, WomensLaw.org — Custody Information.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

4 of 12 North Carolina custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.

Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?

No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.

How does the court decide who gets custody?

Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.

What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?

Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.

Can I get sole custody?

Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.

Best Custody & Visitation in North Carolina — 12 resources

About Custody & Visitation for Women

Custody and visitation cases for women are handled in state and county family courts under each state's 'best interest of the child' standard. Mothers seeking sole, joint, or primary physical custody can use free self-help centers inside most courthouses to file petitions, parenting plans, and modification requests without an attorney. The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Women's Law Project track state-by-state custody trends, and organizations like the Battered Mothers Custody Conference advocate where abuse intersects with custody. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county family law facilitators, women-focused family law firms, and maternal advocacy organizations.

Custody & Visitation in North Carolina

North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina and the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) serve women statewide.

12 Resources

1. North Carolina Judicial Branch — Family Law — Free

Based in Raleigh, North Carolina Judicial Branch — Family Law supports North Carolina women navigating custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Reach the team at (919) 890-1000 to schedule a screening. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(919) 890-1000 · 2 E Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27601 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Legal Aid of North Carolina — Family Law — Free

Based in Raleigh, Legal Aid of North Carolina — Family Law supports North Carolina women navigating custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Reach the team at (866) 219-5262 to schedule a screening. Hours are Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(866) 219-5262 · 224 S Dawson St, Raleigh, NC 27601 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

3. Mecklenburg County Family Court — Charlotte — Free

Mecklenburg County Family Court — Charlotte serves women in Charlotte and surrounding North Carolina communities with custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Call (704) 686-0100 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(704) 686-0100 · 832 E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

4. NC Bar Association — Lawyer Referral

NC Bar Association — Lawyer Referral is a North Carolina family-law resource helping mothers with custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Dial (919) 677-0561 for an initial conversation about your situation. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Fees may apply — sliding-scale, insurance, or self-pay options are typically available.

(919) 677-0561 · 8000 Weston Pkwy, Cary, NC 27513 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

5. WomensLaw.org — Custody Information — Free

Comprehensive state-by-state custody and visitation legal information specifically for women, written in plain language by attorneys. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

6. ABA Family Law Section — Find a Lawyer — Free

American Bar Association family law section with attorney directory, public resources, and custody guidance. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Federal Office of Child Support Services — Free

OCSS coordinates state child support and custody enforcement. State agency directory and program information for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. USA.gov — Child Custody and Support — Free

Official federal portal for custody and support information with links to every state agency for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. ChildWelfare.gov — Custody Resources — Free

Federal child welfare information gateway. Custody, kinship care, and parenting plan guidance for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges — Free

NCJFCJ — research, training, and resources on family court including custody best practices. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Cornell Legal Information Institute — Family Law — Free

Free legal reference on custody, visitation, and family law from Cornell Law School. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. FindLaw — Child Custody — Free

Free public legal information on custody arrangements, modifications, and enforcement for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many custody & visitation resources are in North Carolina?: Women's Corner tracks 12 custody & visitation resources for women in North Carolina.
Are custody & visitation resources in North Carolina free?: 11 of the 12 listed custody & visitation resources in North Carolina are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in North Carolina have custody & visitation resources?: Listings span cities including Raleigh, Charlotte, Cary.
What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in North Carolina?: Featured entries include North Carolina Judicial Branch — Family Law, Legal Aid of North Carolina — Family Law, Mecklenburg County Family Court — Charlotte, NC Bar Association — Lawyer Referral, WomensLaw.org — Custody Information.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 4 of 12 North Carolina custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.
Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?: No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.
How does the court decide who gets custody?: Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.
What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?: Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.
Can I get sole custody?: Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.