Charlotte Family Law Attorney Angela McIlveen's Story

Charlotte Family Law Attorney Angela McIlveen's Story
http://www.mcilveenfamilylaw.com
(704) 557-0131

I'm Angela McIlveen and I'm one of the partner attorneys at the McIlveen Family Law Firm.

I could spend a long time talking to you about my resume, and where I went to law school, and papers I've written in the past, but frankly, that would bore even me, and you can read all about it on our bio page. What I want to talk to you about is where I come from, and why we started the firm, and what it's really about.

Now, personally, you probably don't know this. I was a teenage mom, I had two children before I was 20 years old, and I got married. It was not a good marriage. Unfortunately, it was hard and I found myself getting divorced at a very young age. I went through what many of you are going through. I didn't have a lot of money, and my husband hired an attorney who drafted the separation agreement that I signed without having anyone review it, which didn't give me the best of terms, but it probably wasn't the best of my interests, but I just wanted out and I was in such a hurry.

I beg you right now if you're listening to this, slow down. I know the desire there is to run, run, run and to sign anything, but don't do it. Give yourself a little time. When you're that emotional, you can't make good decisions. Talk to friends and family about what you're about to do. See if they agree that you're making a good decision. Get a support system around you. I was very fortunate that my family were great and they were really good to me.

I've also been through a custody battle. After my separation, I had two little kids. I decided, "Wow, I really need to do something with my life, and I really want to help people that are going through what I'm going through." So I started going to college. I took my kids with me. They enjoyed listening to things like history books instead of some kids' stories a lot of times. We sat on the bed together and I studied, and they listened. They went to law school with me.

During that time, I went through a custody battle. I had my children snatched. I had to testify in court, just like some of you might have to. I fought on that witness stand, and I can tell you it is hard, but I was fortunate I had a great attorney there to help me. I learned my lesson the first time around about not having an attorney.

Once I had gone through that, I knew that family law was really where I belonged, so I can help people just like you, and not only help you with the law but I can also help you with my experience. I've seen all sides of this.

Now in my case, there's a silver lining. My ex-husband and I get along really well now. In fact, we've had Christmas together before and the kids are doing great. Since then I remarried. My husband, Sean McIlveen, is another partner here at the firm, and we founded this firm together. Sean has two boys. We have a family of four kids and we are doing just fine.

McIlveen Family Law Firm
401 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 557-0131