Hopper, Hopper & Mulligan, PLLC

01/27/2026

The start of a new year often brings new routines and new challenges. For many families, the post-holiday period is when cracks in custody or visitation plans become impossible to ignore.

Missed visits, last-minute changes, or ongoing tension between co-parents may signal that your current plan is no longer serving your child’s best interests.

North Carolina law allows for custody modifications when there’s a “substantial change in circumstances,” such as:
🔹A new job or relocation
🔹Changes in a child’s school or medical needs
🔹Safety or stability concerns
🔹Ongoing conflict that disrupts the child’s well-being

January is an ideal time to reassess and adjust, before spring or summer schedules make things even more complicated.

At Hopper Law, PLLC, we help parents across Raleigh update custody agreements that reflect real life, practical, fair, and focused on your child’s needs.

📞Call 919-876-3300 or visit www.raleighlawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation.

01/14/2026

Family law doesn’t always have to mean courtrooms and conflict. In North Carolina, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) offers a more thoughtful, cost-effective approach to resolving divorce, custody, and property matters — without unnecessary stress or litigation.

At Hopper Law, PLLC, we help families explore every available path toward resolution, including:

🔹Mediation – A neutral third party facilitates communication to help both sides reach an agreement privately and efficiently
🔹Negotiation – With skilled legal support, many families find fair outcomes simply through guided conversation
🔹Collaborative Divorce – Both spouses, along with their attorneys and specialists, agree to work together respectfully to find durable, family-focused solutions outside of court

With over 30 years of family law experience, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity, compassion, and control over the outcome.

📞Call 919-876-3300 or visit www.raleighlawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation.

01/05/2026

Thinking about divorce but unsure where to begin? You’re not alone.

At Hopper Law, PLLC, we guide clients across Raleigh through every phase of the process — from the early days of separation to the final divorce judgment — with compassion, clarity, and legal strength.

North Carolina follows a no-fault divorce process, but there are important legal steps along the way:
🔹Spouses must live separately for at least one year
🔹Financial preparation and planning during separation can protect your rights later
🔹Issues like property division, custody, or alimony should be addressed before filing. You do not need to wait until a divorce is pending to address these issues.
🔹Mediation is often required — and trial only happens when agreements can’t be reached
🔹After divorce, modifications of Custody, Child Support, or Alimony may still be possible when life changes

Whether you’re just starting to consider your options or ready to take the next step, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence.

📞Call 919-876-3300 or visit www.raleighlawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation.

12/30/2025

Have you recently lost your job, taken a pay cut, or experienced a major shift in income? Many parents are surprised to learn that child support payments do not adjust automatically, and the court won’t apply changes retroactively.

🔹Payments remain legally binding until a judge approves a formal modification
🔹If your financial situation changes, filing a motion to modify helps avoid falling behind
🔹Parents receiving support may also request an increase if a child’s needs grow, such as rising childcare, school, or medical expenses
🔹North Carolina courts allow for modification when there’s a “substantial change in circumstances.”

It’s important not to adjust payments on your own — only a court order can make changes official. You can modify an existing order by consent of each of you without having a court hearing.

At Hopper Law Office, we help parents across Raleigh ensure their support orders reflect current realities while protecting their children’s well-being and their legal rights.

📞Call 919-876-3300 or visit www.raleighlawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation.

12/18/2025

As the year winds down, many couples are navigating big milestones: new engagements, blended families, financial growth, or simply planning for the future. This season of change is also a good time to consider legal protections that offer peace of mind.

At Hopper Law, PLLC, we help couples throughout Raleigh approach prenuptial and postnuptial agreements as tools for clarity and confidence — not conflict.

🔹Prenuptial agreements are signed before marriage to outline how assets, debts, and potential support will be handled if the unexpected happens
🔹Postnuptial agreements are created after marriage to reflect changes like career shifts, inheritance, or family growth

These agreements are not just for the wealthy; they’re for anyone who values transparency, mutual understanding, and future stability.

With over 30 years of family law experience, we craft fair, enforceable agreements that honor each couple’s unique goals. 📞Call 919-876-3300 or visit www.raleighlawfirm.com today.

12/05/2025

Many people assume that divorce means splitting everything 50/50 — but in North Carolina, that’s not always the case. Our state follows equitable distribution, which means property is divided fairly, not necessarily equally.

At Hopper Law, PLLC, we work with clients across Raleigh to protect what matters most, from family homes to retirement accounts. With over 30 years of experience, we guide you through every step of the property division process with skill and care.

Here’s how equitable distribution typically works:
🔹Identify which assets and debts are marital vs. separate
🔹Determine the value of those assets as of the date of separation
🔹Divide them fairly based on factors like income, length of marriage, and each spouse’s contributions

Whether through mediation or litigation, we help ensure your financial interests are protected now and for the future.

📞Call 919-876-3300 or visit www.raleighlawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation.

11/27/2025

As Thanksgiving arrives, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful network. Your partnership, trust, and continued support mean the world to us.

Please note that our office will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th, to allow our team to enjoy time with loved ones. We'll resume regular business hours on Monday.

Wishing you a joyful, restful, and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving!

11/24/2025

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is one of the most complex and highly contested aspects of divorce. In North Carolina, there’s no set formula for determining who pays what or for how long. Instead, the court considers several factors unique to each situation.

Here are a few key points to know:

🔹Alimony may be temporary (post-separation support) or long-term
🔹Courts consider factors like infidelity, length of the marriage, income disparity, and contributions as a homemaker
🔹There’s no standard timeline — the judge decides what’s fair based on your circumstances
🔹Major life changes (like job loss or illness) may allow for modification

Because the outcome often depends on how clearly the facts are presented, having experienced legal guidance can make all the difference.

At Hopper Law Office, we help clients throughout Raleigh and Wake County protect their financial futures during divorce. Whether you’re seeking support or defending against it, we’re here to advocate for your best interests.

📞Call 919-876-3300 or visit www.raleighlawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation.

09/24/2020

06/03/2020

We stand in alliance.