Charlene Edwards Law Office - CELO

08/27/2026

08/24/2026

Life changes. Jobs change. Parenting schedules change. Expenses change. And as children grow, their needs change too.

But one thing does not change automatically: your child support order.

If the amount of child support you pay or receive was calculated based on circumstances that no longer reflect your family’s life, it may be time to determine whether a modification is appropriate.

Changes that may affect child support can include:

• A significant increase or decrease in income
• A new job or job loss
• Changes in the amount of parenting time
• Increased or decreased childcare expenses
• Changes in health insurance costs or coverage
• The changing needs of your children

⚖️ The important part? Don’t make changes on your own.

Paying a different amount because you and the other parent “agreed” to it does not necessarily change the existing court order. Until the order is legally modified, the original obligation may remain in effect.

At Charlene Edwards Law Office, we represent parents on both sides of child support cases — whether you are seeking a change or responding to a request for modification.

We can review what has changed, explain how those changes may affect child support, and help you determine the right legal path forward.

Because child support should be based on the circumstances of your family today — not necessarily the circumstances that existed years ago.

📞 910-893-1128
🌐 www.lillingtonlawyers.com

Serving Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Cumberland & Wake Counties.

Building Stable Futures for Children.

08/21/2026

⚖️ “My ex and I agreed to a different custody schedule. Do we really need to change the court order?”

It's a question we hear frequently—and sometimes parents have been following their new arrangement successfully for months or even years.

First, parents being able to work together and adjust a schedule to meet their children's needs is a good thing. Not every change requires a trip back to the courthouse.

But there's an important distinction between what you've agreed to do and what your court order actually requires.

If your custody order says one thing and you and the other parent have informally agreed to something different, the existing order does not simply rewrite itself.

That may not seem important while everyone is getting along.

What happens if one parent suddenly wants to return to the schedule in the order? What if the children have been living under the new arrangement for a significant period of time? What if the new schedule affects school, transportation, child support, holidays, or other responsibilities? What if the parents no longer agree about what their agreement actually was?

That's when an informal arrangement can become complicated.

Cooperation is a great start. A properly written agreement or court order can provide protection and clarity.

That doesn't mean every small schedule adjustment needs to be turned into a new court order. Parents should be able to exercise reasonable flexibility.

But when an informal change has become your family's new normal, it may be time to talk with an attorney about whether your legal documents should reflect the reality of your parenting arrangement.

At Charlene Edwards Law Office, we can review your existing custody order, discuss how your family is actually operating today, and help you determine whether a formal modification is appropriate.

Because sometimes the best time to put an agreement in writing is while everyone still agrees.

📞 910-893-1128
🌐 www.lillingtonlawyers.com

08/19/2026

⚖️ Some Things Shouldn't Be Instant. Good Legal Advice Is One of Them.

We live in a world of instant communication.

We can send a text in seconds, track a package in real time, transfer money with a tap, and get answers to almost anything immediately.

It's understandable that we sometimes begin to expect the same speed everywhere.

But the legal system doesn't work that way—and good legal representation shouldn't either.

When you hire an attorney, there may be times when the answer isn't immediate. Your attorney may need to review documents, research the law, speak with opposing counsel, wait for information from another party, prepare for court, or consider how one decision could affect another part of your case.

And sometimes, the best legal advice is to wait before acting.

A carefully considered response tomorrow may protect you far better than a rushed response today.

There are also parts of the process your attorney simply cannot control. Court calendars, responses from opposing parties, discovery deadlines, evaluations, mediation dates, and judicial decisions all take time.

That doesn't mean nothing is happening.

At Charlene Edwards Law Office, we understand that your case is important to you. We know that waiting can be frustrating—particularly when the issues involve your children, your finances, your home, or your future.

Our job, however, isn't simply to give you the fastest answer.

Our job is to give you thoughtful advice, protect your legal interests, prepare your case carefully, and help you make decisions you won't regret later.

Good representation requires communication between attorney and client. It also requires trust in the process—even when the process isn't instantaneous.

Because when something as important as your family and your future is at stake, getting it right matters more than getting it right now.

Charlene Edwards Law Office
Helping Families. Protecting Futures.

🌐 www.lillingtonlawyers.com

08/17/2026

⚖️ Child Support Does Not Buy Visitation.

It's one of the most common misconceptions we hear in family law:

“If they aren't paying child support, why should they get to see the children?”

In North Carolina, child support and custody/visitation are separate legal issues.

A parent does not earn parenting time by paying child support—and failing to pay child support does not automatically take parenting time away.

If a parent has court-ordered visitation, the other parent generally cannot decide to withhold that visitation simply because child support has not been paid.

Likewise, a parent cannot stop paying child support because the other parent is interfering with visitation.

One obligation cannot be used as leverage to enforce the other.

If child support isn't being paid as ordered, there are legal remedies available to enforce the child support order.

If a parent is being denied court-ordered visitation, there are legal remedies available to address violations of the custody order.

But taking matters into your own hands can create an entirely new legal problem—and may put you in violation of a court order yourself.

At Charlene Edwards Law Office, we help parents understand both sides of these issues. We represent parents seeking child support, parents being asked to pay support, custodial parents, and noncustodial parents seeking to protect their parenting time.

The important thing to remember is simple:

Child support is about supporting your child.
Parenting time is about maintaining the parent-child relationship.
Neither should be used as a bargaining chip for the other.

If you're dealing with unpaid child support, denied visitation, or questions about your custody or support order, talk with an attorney about the proper legal remedy rather than trying to solve one problem by creating another.

📞 910-893-1128
🌐 www.lillingtonlawyers.com

📍 Serving Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Cumberland & Wake Counties

Charlene Edwards Law Office
Building Stable Futures for Children.

08/13/2026

Our air conditioner is not working at the office. We are working remotely. We can be reached by telephone -- 910-893-1128 --- or by email. Thank you for your understanding. We hope to be back in the office tomorrow.

08/13/2026

When co-parenting isn't working, the answer isn't always another court hearing.

Every family is different. Sometimes parents simply need help communicating. Sometimes they need guidance implementing an existing court order. And sometimes litigation is the only way to protect a parent's rights or a child's best interests.

At Charlene Edwards Law Office, we understand that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.

As a North Carolina family law attorney, Certified Family Financial Mediator, and Certified Parent Coordinator, Charlene Edwards has the unique ability to help families from multiple perspectives.

Whether you need:
✔️ An attorney to advocate for your interests in court
✔️ A mediator to help resolve disputes through agreement
✔️ A Parent Coordinator to assist with ongoing co-parenting conflicts and implementing court orders

we can help you determine the path that best serves your family.

Our goal is always the same: reducing conflict whenever possible, protecting your legal rights, and helping children thrive in stable, healthy environments.

Sometimes the best solution is an agreement.
Sometimes it's better communication.
Sometimes it's strong courtroom advocacy.

Wherever you are in your journey, we're here to help you find the right path.

📞 Contact Charlene Edwards Law Office to schedule a consultation. 910-893-1128

📍 Serving Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Cumberland & Wake Counties

🌐 www.lillingtonlawyers.com

Charlene Edwards Law Office
Building Stable Futures for Children.

08/10/2026

💙 Questions about child support? Dylan Davis is here to help.

Child support is one of the most common—and often one of the most misunderstood—issues in family law.

Whether you're a parent seeking financial support for your child or you've been asked to pay child support, it's important to understand your rights, your obligations, and the options available under North Carolina law.

As an Associate Attorney with Charlene Edwards Law Office, Dylan Davis regularly assists clients with:

✔ Establishing child support
✔ Child support modifications when circumstances change
✔ Requests for deviations from the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines
✔ Enforcement of existing child support orders
✔ Defending against child support claims

No two families are alike. A change in income, a different parenting schedule, the needs of a growing child, or other significant life events can all affect child support. Having an attorney who understands both the law and your family's unique circumstances can make a meaningful difference.

At Charlene Edwards Law Office, we believe every child deserves a strong start. We're committed to helping parents find practical, legally sound solutions while keeping children's best interests at the center of every case.

If you have questions about child support, we're here to help.

📞 Call today to schedule a consultation.

📍 Serving Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Cumberland & Wake Counties

🌐 www.lillingtonlawyers.com

Charlene Edwards Law Office
Building Stable Futures for Children.