D. Melissa Averett

MANAGING ATTORNEY

Certified NC Family Law Specialist

Passionate. Caring. Fierce. Knowledgeable.

International family lawyer

Meet Melissa

Melissa Averett

Austin Vandeveer

ATTORNEY

Caring. Resourceful. Responsive.

Meet Austin

WHAT THEY SAY

I had a very complex divorce case that required someone like Austin Vandeveer to help me navigate.  He took the time to explain the terms and legal issues that I was not familiar with, thus allowing me to make important decisions for the future. He was a power presence in the courtroom and handled the case beautifully on my behalf.  He did not leave any room for doubt that he would always act in my best interest and fight for what was deserved.

Anonymous

Melissa was great at my court hearing today. She is very considerate, attentive to details, and very competent in what she does. If you haven’t decided on a lawyer yet, I recommend her! 5+!!!

Tatiana

Austin took over my case from another law firm, after I felt they were not doing enough to assist me in my case. Austin is extremely knowledgeable in family law and straight forward. He was very firm and aggressive with the opposition and ensured that my best interest was represented. As soon as he took over my case, he accomplished in a few weeks what my previous attorney was not successful in accomplishing in about six months. During the mediation process he made it very difficult for the opposition where the case was eventually dropped, as I was the defendant. I HIGHLY recommend Averett Family Law and Austin in any divorce or post divorce (with was my situation), or any family law matter.

A Satisfied Client
My Best Interest Was Represented

One thing no one will prepare you for when going through a divorce is the emotional toll you will experience, which will be magnified if children are involved. There will be many dark days when your mind is cluttered, and the possibility of making emotionally-charged bad decisions will lead to missteps. That is why you want an attorney who will guide you through those days with clarity, help you separate the negative feelings from the valid ones, and be there to advise and protect you. I would not have been able to go through this challenging journey without the support of Austin and Melissa and the tremendous help of Mandy, Marissa, and Perla. You will find empathy, and trust me when I say you need it as much as you need Austin and Melissa’s determination to fight for you and get what is rightfully yours. I wholeheartedly recommend Averett Family Law.

Vanessa
Determination to fight for you

When I moved to N.C, Melissa Averett was my first choice because of her deep experience and frank candor– but she was too busy to take on new clients. I felt lucky to be able to work with her when a spot opened up. Custody is difficult even in the best of cases due to the powerful emotions involved, and the last thing you need is an attorney who fans the flames of conflict. Averett keeps things clean, clear, and straightforward. Highly recommended.

Anonymous
Clear, concise & authoritative

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

Honest, upfront

The legal insurance plan through my employer suggested Averett Family when we had to do future legacy planning for my parents. After reading the three prior Yelp reviews before mine, we decided on this firm. We found attroney, Sara Harrington, very easy to work with and also parient when my mother still needed time to review paperwork. Kasey was also helpful and timely with responses. They treated us with respect. I highly recommend them for estate planning. The motto on their website, which is a good summary, is “caring | efficient | fierce:. Lvoe it!

Joy

They treated us with respect

Melissa is perhaps the most intellectually gifted lawyer I know. Among trial attorneys, Melissa has few equals and no superiors.

Cheryl

intellectually gifted

I am extremely pleased. Melissa has your back and best interest. You want her on your team! She is straightforward, very clear on what to expect, and no surprises. Melissa and the team made everything press and play. Would highly recommend Averett Family Law.

Melissa Averett has turned my horrific child custody, suppport and visitation case around for me. This case originated in New York and was subsequently changed over to North Carolina. I retained Attorney Averett’s services because she is well versed in New York Family Law as well as North Carolina’s. The office staff was professional and caring during my most detrimental family and financial situation. For efficient, professional, affordable and just as equally important, caring legal services – I highly recommend The Averett Law firm.

Janice

Professional and Caring

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

Efficient and Knowledgeable

I would like to share my experience with the Family Law office of M. Averett. I felt it very important to share my experience with this law office because I remember how I felt when embarking on this change in life event and second enlighten those going through this in their life that it does take time requiring patience. I initially looked on line as well as went to 4 family law offices before selecting an attorney to represent me. I found that Counselor Averett was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and wise at a time and event in my life that was and is traumatic. Counselor Averett in no way conveyed any gender related treatment of me or ever delayed any progress on my case or situation. On the contrary, Counselor Averett was totally responsive to all my questions, she had my upper most interest in mind (even though I was a bit unique in my caring how people were treated in this process), and she treated me as though I was her ONLY CLIENT, very rare in this area of law. This is a totally honest and unemotional review of my experience with the Averett Family Law office, Chapel Hill, NC. I would highly recommend this Law office without any hesitation to my friends or anyone seeking assistance in family law as Counselor Averett truly cares!!!

A Happy Client
I would highly recommend