Adoption & Collaborative Family Law

Wilmington and Greenville’s first law firm to focus on a healthier approach to family law through negotiation and collaboration. Michael & Russell, PLLC is dedicated to serving North Carolina’s southeast region with compassion and understanding for adoption, collaborative divorce, and family law matters. When it comes to relationship advice we are the experts at Michael & Russell and ANR Law. Our client relationship advocate is ready to help you understand our process and add light to your decision making process. We are here to help and clients are the center of our practice.

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Services
Adoption

Adoption

Our legal team is experienced in handling various types of adoption matters at the local, state, national, and international level.

Growing Families Through ART
Collaborative Law

Collaborative Divorce

We are committed to alternative dispute resolution processes. Collaborative divorce will keep you, your spouse, and your children out of a courtroom.

Family Law

Family Law

With over two decades of combined experience in family law, our team is knowledgeable and skilled with these types of complex yet delicate cases.

Appellate Law

We offer expert guidance to clients seeking to challenge trial court decisions, particularly in family and juvenile law cases, to ensure fair and just outcomes.

Ashley Michael, Esq.

Co-owner and managing attorney, Michael & Russell, PLLC

Ashley Michael is a passionate and knowledgeable family law attorney with more than 15 years of experience in the legal field. She works with her clients to take control of the outcome of their legal path, keep them informed about their legal matter, be their vocal advocate, and act as their guide throughout representation. As a board-certified legal specialist in family law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, she is just one of 275* attorneys in North Carolina to hold this distinction out of more than 31,000 licensed attorneys statewide. Committed to all aspects of family law, Ashley has extensive experience handling adoption matters around the globe and working with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) matters. She empowers clients to take control of planning their family the way they envision, providing interdisciplinary services, and keeping them informed at every step of the way. Dedicated to serving her community, she is a founding board member of the North Carolina Collaborative Attorney Network (NC-CAN) and Coastal Collaborative Colleagues as well as a former board member for the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and DREAMS of Wilmington.
*Data as of 2022

Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq.

Co-owner, Michael & Russell, PLLC

Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq. is an award-winning family law attorney, author, podcaster, and speaker who is changing the way divorce is perceived around the world. As a child of divorce and divorcee, she brings a unique, relatable, and personal understanding to family law at Michael and Russell, PLLC. Ashley-Nicole has an extensive background in legal practice throughout North Carolina. Her first law firm, AN|R Law, was the first collaborative law practice in Greenville, North Carolina with additional offices in Raleigh and Beaufort. In addition to Michael & Russell, she also co-founded McLawhorn & Russell, PLLC based in Raleigh. Ashley-Nicole is known globally as an expert in divorce culture, conflict resolution, and shared parenting. Her groundbreaking work has been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, and ABC, NBC, and CBS news affiliates. She is the author of The Cure for Divorce Culture and the host of the Divorce, Healthy! podcast. In addition, Ashley-Nicole is an advisor for co-parenting app Fayr, a founding member of the North Carolina Collaborative Attorney Network (NC-CAN), and a member of the national board of directors for the National Parents Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is collaborative divorce and how is it different from regular divorce?

Collaborative divorce is an alternative dispute resolution process where both spouses work with attorneys and other professionals to reach a settlement without going to court. It focuses on cooperation instead of the adversarial process typical of traditional divorce litigation, keeping spouses and their children out of the courtroom entirely.

Does Michael & Russell handle adoption cases?

Yes. The firm's legal team has experience handling adoption matters at the local, state, national, and international level, guiding families through each step of the process.

Does Michael & Russell handle child custody and parenting plans?

Yes, the firm's family law practice includes helping parents establish custody arrangements and parenting plans that work for their family's needs.

Does Michael & Russell work with surrogates and intended parents?

Yes. The firm provides legal services to intended parents, surrogates, and donors navigating Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) matters in North Carolina.

Can Michael & Russell help with a separation agreement in North Carolina?

Yes. The firm assists clients throughout North Carolina with drafting and negotiating separation agreements as part of its family law and collaborative divorce services.

Are Ashley Michael and Ashley-Nicole Russell board certified in family law?

Ashley Michael is a board-certified legal specialist in family law through the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by a small number of attorneys statewide. Together, Ashley Michael and Ashley-Nicole Russell bring more than two decades of combined family law experience to the firm.

Does Michael & Russell handle cases outside of Wilmington?

Yes. Michael & Russell, PLLC has offices in Wilmington and Raleigh, North Carolina, and represents families across the state. Many services, including mediation and settlement negotiation, can also be handled virtually.

How do I schedule a consultation with Michael & Russell?

You can schedule a consultation by contacting the firm directly through its website or by phone at either the Wilmington or Raleigh office.

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Contact
Wilmington Phone: 910-255-5722
Greenville Phone: (252) 702-4376
Fax: 910-239-7618
Addresses
5008 Oleander Drive                                     200 East 4th Street
Wilmington NC 28403                                 Greenville NC 27858
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We're here to help. Please don't hesitate to reach out.

Call 910.255.5722