Patrick McCroskey selected to Best Lawyers in America in 2011

Graphic image of the recognition badge for Best Lawyers in America.

Again in 2011, Patrick McCroskey has been named to Best Lawyers in America. Of the nearly 20,000 lawyers practicing in North Carolina, 28 family law attorneys are included in the The Best Lawyers list. The two family law attorneys included from Western North Carolina are members of the Gum, Hillier firm. The Best Lawyers in…

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David Hillier selected to Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America in 2011

Dave Hillier sitting on the granite stairs in front of the Federal Courthouse in Downtown Asheville (United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, where Bankruptcy Court is housed)

In late January, 2011, David Hillier was included in Super Lawyers™ graded peer-review list. Super Lawyers™ is a national peer-review agency owned by the prestigious Thomson Reuters Company, includes approximately 5% of lawyers in any given state in their recognition list. David Hillier has previously been included in Super Lawyers™ Star Search in 2009 and…

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About the Unified Family Courts in North Carolina

Image of the facade of an ornate courthouse

FAMILY COURT: If your domestic lawsuit is filed in Buncombe County, it will be sent to Family Court. The 28th Judicial District (Buncombe County) is presently one of several judicial districts in North Carolina that has established a Unified Family Court system to handle cases that involve families and children, including both “domestic” and “juvenile”…

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How Long Will My Divorce Take?

Image of an elegant hourglass on a wooden table in front of a gray wall, representing time and money.

Generally speaking, it is impossible to predict exactly how long the case will take. After the case is under way, and your attorney understands the issues, he will be better able to gauge the duration. How long it will take depends on the following factors: The number and complexity of contested issues; The attitudes of…

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What You Should Expect from Your Mediator

Image of a folder entitled Family Mediation, with a gavel, depicting the concept of mediation in divorce.

The mediator’s role is to move the parties beyond personality clashes and historic grievances. Only then can the mediator help you improve communication so any future dealings can take place without repeating the difficulties of the past. Mediation is a useful tool because it adds a new dimension to the negotiations. Because the mediator’s purpose…

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