Accepts Credit Cards
(Main Office)
The firm is a general practice firm with more than 37 years experience in the representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in State, Federal and Appellate Civil Litigation, Business Transactions, Contracts, Collections, Negotiations, Settlements, Family Law, Personal Injury, Real Estate, Product Liability, Estate Planning and Administration, Wills and Trusts. The firm was founded by Andrew D. Taylor, a Charlotte, NC native, who has been licensed to practice law since 1969 and who has practiced continuously in Charlotte, NC since his return from military service in Vietnam in 1971. The firm is committed to excellence and to providing only the highest quality legal services through its staff and extended support network and consulting experts.
Family Law
When a married couple face serious problems in their relationship, they often have many difficult legal and personal issues to deal with. At Andrew D. Taylor and Associates, Attorneys At Law, we try to provide many suggestions and legal services that can help a person going through marital problems.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation occurs if a married couple can resolve their problems and remain married. Many couples decide to sit down and discuss their issues by themselves in an honest and open way. Often, couples reconcile through the use of a neutral third party to mediate and counsel.
Separation
Often, if a couple cannot settle disagreements within a marriage, they decide to live in separate locations. It is important for both parties to discuss the separation with a lawyer before either one leaves the home.
Going to Court
Sometimes a court order is issued if the couple cannot reach a settlement in a separation agreement, if a spouse breaks one or more of the promises in the agreement, or if there is an emergency situation, such as child-snatching or violence in the home. There are several kinds of hearings that can be held, including:
· Child custody and visitation (when the care, control and custody of a child is to be decided or when enforcement of visitation rights is needed)
· Domestic violence (for spouses who are victims of physical abuse or threats)
· Child support (before or after divorce, for a parent who needs financial help in raising a child)
· Alimony (for a spouse who is not able to support herself or himself and whose spouse's "fault" caused the marriage's failure)
· Temporary post-separation support assistance even if there is no fault
· Divorce from bed and board (for a judge-approved separation)
· The equitable distribution of marital property assets and debts
Property Division
Both husband and wife can apply to the court for a division of their marital property called equitable distribution before a divorce has been obtained. Generally, all items of property acquired by the husband and wife during their marriage are considered marital property and are divided equally. These items may include: real estate, automobiles, bank accounts, furniture, ownership interests in a business or professional practice, vested pension rights and retirement benefits, debts and liabilities.
Alimony
Alimony can be granted by the court when there is a need for spousal support, and when the person to pay has committed some wrong or "fault," such as abandonment, adultery, personal indignities and other grounds.
Divorce
There is only one ground for divorce in the North Carolina statutes. This ground is "one year's separation." It is the "no-fault" divorce of North Carolina, which does not have grounds such as "mental cruelty" or "irreconcilable differences" found in other states. After the couple has been living apart for over one year with the intention of living apart permanently, either one may file for divorce, serving a copy of the "complaint" on the other spouse by certified mail (return receipt requested) or through the county sheriff. The judge will grant the divorce if the other party fails to answer the complaint within 30 days after being served, if he or she waives the right to service and answer or if the other party files an answer that does not deny the separation of over one year.
Child custody and support can be determined before, during or after a divorce hearing. Alimony and property division rights, however, may be jeopardized or destroyed by hurrying through a divorce without thinking seriously about the legal impact of the divorce on these rights. For this reason, it is always a wise idea to consult an attorney about a divorce, even though it may appear to be simple and "uncontested."
A divorce will terminate any unresolved issues concerning marital property.
Domestic Violence
Either husband or wife may become the victim of physical violence at the hands of the other spouse. North Carolina has a domestic violence law that can be a powerful remedy for a victim who has suffered bodily injury or the threat or attempt at serious bodily injury. The judge has the power to immediately remove the offender from the home or else require the offender to provide and pay for suitable temporary housing for the victim. A restraining order can be issued, as well as orders for temporary custody, child support, and reasonable attorney's fees. After the initial emergency order, the case is set for a hearing within 10 days to resolve all issues of the case concerning domestic violence.
Practice Areas
Civil Litigation
Civil Litigation, also known as a lawsuit, involves court resolution of private law issues between individuals or businesses.
Business Transactions
Andrew D. Taylor & Associates can represent your business' interests and find a professional and cost effective solution for numerous matters such as the incorporation of a business, contracts, buy/sell agreements, indemnification, unfair competition, employment agreements, non-compete agreements, trade secrets, dispute resolution, collection of unpaid invoices and other matters.
Contracts
A contract is a legally binding exchange of promises or agreements between parties that the law will enforce. It is always best to have an experienced attorney help you put your agreements into writing and to review any written agreement before it is signed.
Collections
A collection agency is a business that pursues payments on debts owed by individuals or businesses. Most collection agencies operate as agents of creditors and attempt to collect debts for a fee or percentage of the total amount owed. Collection agencies cannot harass or threaten people in order to attempt to collect a debt. There are numerous laws to protect debtors from unfair debt collection practices. Collection agencies cannot act as attorneys and cannot file lawsuits; only attorneys can file a lawsuit to collect a debt. An attorney that represents the debtor can often help the debtor in reaching a satisfactory resolution of a claim.
Negotiations
Negotiation is a discussion used to resolve disputes and to produce an agreement between two parties. Also, it is used to bargain for individual or collective advantage. Negotiations can be used to craft outcomes to satisfy various interests in a dispute. It is the primary method of alternative dispute resolution. Negotiations can occur in business, in legal proceedings and in personal situations such as marriage, divorce, separation, custody, buying and selling property, borrowing or lending money and other everyday events.
Settlements
A settlement occurs when both parties can agree to a resolution of their dispute. All settlements should be documented by a written agreement or contract.
Family Law
Family-related issues and domestic disputes are typically sensitive issues for all parties involved. Andrew D. Taylor & Associates can determine a peaceful resolution to enable you and your family to move ahead with your lives. Family law issues can include premarital agreements, post-marital agreements, separation agreements, property settlements, equitable distribution, divorce, child support, child custody, visitation, alimony and post-separation support. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement and settle their issues through negotiations, alternate dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, collaborative law or marriage counseling, then litigation may be a last resort. Andrew D. Taylor & Associates can help find the best, least expensive and most non-confrontational resolution of your domestic issues.
Personal Injury
The most common type of personal injury claims are traffic accidents and those caused by property owner negligence. Andrew D. Taylor & Associates will work for you to obtain the compensation that you are entitled to for doctors' bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, damages and medical costs for your injuries.
Real Estate
Real estate law includes a wide variety of legal issues relating to acquiring, financing, developing, managing, constructing, leasing and selling commercial and residential real property of all kinds. Let the qualified real estate attorneys at Andrew D. Taylor & Associates protect you from costly mistakes, errors in the documents, errors in the figures and other problems that could lead to litigation or other expensive legal action.
Product Liability
Product liability is the area of law in which manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and others who make products available to the public are held responsible for the injuries those products cause.
Estate Planning And Administration
Estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of an estate to maximize the goals of the estate owner. The various goals of estate planning include making sure the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries with the least loss to taxes or probate fees.
Wills And Trusts
If a will is not drafted before death occurs, state law will determine who gets your property and a judge may decide who will raise your children. In your will, you can make these decisions yourself. Only a qualified attorney with knowledge of specific federal and state law requirements should draft such documents. Andrew D. Taylor & Associates can help you in preparing your Will, Intervivos Trust, Testamentary Trust, Living Will, Declaration Of a Desire For A Natural Death, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Special Power of Attorney or General and Continuing Powers of Attorney.
Statement of Practice
General, Civil Trial and Appellate Practice in all State and Federal Courts. Commercial, Corporate, Real Estate, Contracts, Probate, Wills and Trusts, Domestic Relations, Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Separation, Personal Injury, Auto Accidents, Slip and Fall, Wrongful Death, Credit Union, Collections, Product Liability, Business Law, Transactions, Negotiations, Collaborative Law, Settlements, Mediations, Medical Malpractice, Legal Malpractice.
Year Established: 1976
Firm Size: 1
Representative Clients:
Michael Weinig AG of Germany
McGowan Painting Contractors, Inc.
Calcutta Condominium Associates, Inc.
Knauff Insurance, Inc.
C.I.T. Financial Services Corp.
Andrews Federal Credit Union
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.
Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union
Massachusetts Federal Credit Union
Claim Management, Inc.
Northland Insurance Companies
Selective Insurance Co.
USAA Insurance Company
Bankers & Shippers Insurance Co.
Allstate Insurance Company
GreCon Dimter, Inc.
Binswanger Glass Co.
Hobbs & Crossley, P.A.
CISTECH Inc.
Imperial Business Credit, Inc.
Machinery Finance Group, Inc.
Apperson Properties, Inc.
RAIMANN USA/Interholz GmbH
The Leasing Company
Michael Weinig, Inc.
Clients
APPROVED ATTORNEY FOR: Lawyers Title Insurance Corp.
Pioneer National Title Insurance Co.
First Title Insurance Co.
Investors Title Insurance Co.
Jefferson-Pilot Title Insurance Co.
AMI Title Insurance Co.
Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Co.
St. Paul Title Insurance Corp.
Lawyers Title of North Carolina, Inc.
Chicago Title Insurance Co.
Rate Information
Fixed Hourly Rates
Fixed Fees Available
Accepts Major Credit Cards