Passionate. Caring. Fierce. Knowledgeable. Meet Melissa Averett. She has been practicing as a family law attorney in Orange and Chatham Counties since 1998. From separation, to divorce, to child custody and more, she fights to protect her clients’ rights.
“Guiding clients through some of the most traumatic chapters in their life, a divorce, custody battle or probate after the death of a loved one, is a position of intimacy and trust. It’s an honor to be chosen for that role.”
Melissa has been selected for the past several years running to the North Carolina Super Lawyers list in recognition of her work in family law. She speaks regularly to legal groups on family law issues, both in North Carolina and internationally.
Melissa is one of a handful of Family Law Specialists primarily practicing in Chatham County.
Melissa shares her knowledge in North Carolina and internationally, speaking at family law conferences, and teaching workshops and continuing legal education seminars. She is a member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association and is qualified to testify as an expert witness on the subject of domestic violence.
Melissa also works with the North Carolina Bar to promote new and updated legislation related to family law.
Melissa has earned a reputation as one of the go-to attorneys on complex family law topics. She has been invited to speak at a number of international conferences and attended others to stay current on the latest in family law.
When she’s not working or traveling, Melissa can be found crocheting, weaving on her floor loom, and trying to keep her cats from covering all her yarn and crafts in fur, usually unsuccessfully.
Melissa Averett came through when I really needed her. She made time for me even though she had a busy schedule. Melissa is incredibly intelligent and doesn’t miss anything. I would recommend her a hundred times over!
Jenna Frye
“I have worked with Melissa both as opposing counsel and regarding community services. She is a vigorous and careful advocate for her clients and for the appropriate management of cases involving domestic violence.”
Lisa Anne Wagner- Board Certified Family Law Specialist at the Wagner Law Firm, PC
“Wow I am really excited to get the opportunity to write a recommendation for Melissa. She has helped me with some really difficult situations, and she made it very simple and easy.
She has the experience and knowledge, as well as the creativity, to be very effective with difficult people. Also, I did not feel that Melissa was ever trying to run up the bill – even though I know she easily could have. I am really grateful for her assistance.”
Amy O.
When I was referred to Melissa and her staff, I was trying to get a grip on a very unstable situation with separation and custody. I was feeling stuck, helpless and scared until I landed in Melissa’s office. From our first meeting, Melissa “got it” and knew how to handle things knowledgeably, efficiently, safely and professionally. She helped me understand the legal system, helped me get some direction and understand my rights. She slowly but surely helped me regain a sense of confidence and control in my life and in my situation. I have told her this many times but she has honestly changed the direction and course of my life with her extensive knowledge and endless support. I felt I was a helpless person in a helpless situation and she gave me a voice.
Linda
I felt she has always worked out of the best interest of my children and myself. She responds to crisis situations very quickly, calmly and professionally. She is tough, responsive and she really knows her stuff and I am so glad I landed in her office three years ago. Thank you.
Melissa and her team are Excellent. Highly recommend her services. Very professional, fights for the truth, she and her team are awesome. I am very thankful for her personal advice, encouraging words, and much needed help during divorce. Very thorough! Thank you!!
Karl J.
“Knowledgeable, no nonsense lawyer. Hands down great!”
Kathy H.
I recently had the unpleasant experience of going through a divorce in NC. Melissa and Alva have been professional, efficient and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. They respond timely and accurately. On more than one occasion, they went above and beyond to facilitate the process. Melissa sought out ways to save me time and money and was always cost-conscious when billing me for her services. I always received accurate information/analysis and was never waiting on them. I knew I was in good hands and can’t say enough about how pleased I am with the services I received from this firm.
Jeremy
” Attorney Averett is beyond amazing! From the first meeting with her I felt relieved. She listened to me even when I was extremely anxious about what I felt was a difficult situation. She really helped calm my mind. She went through all my documentation and addressed every issue perfectly. I can not recommend her highly enough! If you want a tough attorney that will fight for you, she’s the one! “
“Melissa Averett is all of the above and more. She has seen us through so many different scenarios where we have needed legal and professional help, with fantastic results. She knows what she’s doing, she’s effective and efficient, and what she doesn’t know, she goes and finds out or puts you in touch with who you need. I admire her both professionally and personally for all that she does and all that she is!”
Tamara Powers- Invention Manager Assistant
“I have worked with Melissa as opposing counsel on cases and know her generally as a member of our local family law bar. Melissa is an excellent attorney, and any client would be well-served by her representation. She is highly knowledgeable in all areas of family law, and she is a zealous and effective advocate for her clients.”
Brian Johnston, Family Attorney
“I was referred to Melissa Averett, by another lawyer. Within a few minutes of speaking to her, I wished I had used her when I initially went through my divorce. She was so great!! Smart, to the point, knowledgeable. She came up with a great option for me and I would highly recommend her to anyone.”
Nealy
“Melissa Averett is an open-minded professional who views her clients’ interests as paramount. She always divides her attention evenly among her caseload and assures that every client receives the full benefit of her time, experience, and legal knowledge. As a professional, she is discreet as well as mindful of your time and expense. Melissa is the attorney you must contact if you are seeking an honest opinion about your legal situation and seek a strong professional that will always consider what is in your best interest and is remarkable when confronted with challenges, both in and outside of the court. “
Courtney B.
I first went to a big divorce firm for men and they charged up the yingyang for nothing. Melissa came in, had reasonable fees and knew not only how to work with me, but use her experience to our advantage.
We don’t think divorce is a game, but it may be a chess match and we were able to negotiate a fair settlement even though the other attorney had questionable practices.
Call them and give them a shot. Honest, upfront and experienced. I wish I went to her first before wasting $2k on the ‘big men’s divorce firm’ who just wanted to know how much I made before talking price!
Peter
“I really enjoy working with Melissa. She is an excellent attorney, very dedicated and hard-working, and she really cares for her clients. I hope to work with her a great deal in the future. “
Tony Parrott at Spartan Investigative Services, LLC
“I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is one of the best trial attorney’s I have ever had the pleasure of being in a courtroom with. She zealously represents all her clients with expert skills and knowledge.”
Robert Craig, Family Attorney
Melissa is perhaps the most intellectually gifted lawyer I know. Among trial attorneys, Melissa has few equals and no superiors.
Cheryl
I had Divorce issues. Melissa and her crew made short work of it at a good price; also made settlement my favor.
Larry G.
“Ms Averett did a fantastic job answering multiple questions I had regarding post separation support, child support, and separation agreements. She even went so far as to recommend a military law specific attorney for me.”
Chris Johnson
“I have worked with Melissa as opposing counsel on cases and know her generally as a member of our local family law bar. Melissa is an excellent attorney, and any client would be well-served by her representation. She is highly knowledgeable in all areas of family law, and she is a zealous and effective advocate for her clients.”
Brian Johnston, Family Attorney
“Melissa is known to be a fighter for her clients and she always goes the extra mile to achieve positive results for her clients. Her particular niche is dealing with clients who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence in their personal relationships. She is sensitive to the dynamics of those relationships and her experience allows her to be a zealous advocate for that client, both inside the courtroom and out.”
Sarah Carr D’Amato- Bilingual Family Law Attorney