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Susan Healy

Susan Healy

Law Office of Susan Healy
6000 Fairview Road
Suite 1200
Charlotte, NC 28210

Phone: (704) 552-3883 http://www.susanhealylaw.com

Contact Susan Healy

Honesty Coupled with Respect for All Clients

Legal Topic

Family Law

Preferred New Clients

We handle all types of domestic cases. This includes such matters as separation agreements, contested divorce, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, and domestic violence protective orders.

Sub-Categories

Family Law
  • Name Changes
  • Restraining Orders
Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
Children
  • Adoptions
  • Child Support
  • Custody
  • Visitation
Couples
  • Civil Unions
  • Marriage
  • Power of Attorney
  • Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Legal Topic

Divorce

Preferred New Clients

We handle all types of domestic cases. This includes such matters as separation agreements, contested divorce, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, and domestic violence protective orders.

Sub-Categories

Divorce
  • Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
  • Child Support
  • Custody/Visitation Rights
  • Delinquent Support Payments
  • Division of Property
  • Restraining Orders
  • Uncontested Divorce

Bar Admissions

NC, Mar 1984
Bar Number: 12138

MI,

Other Court Admissions

State Courts of North Carolina.

Association Memberships

State Bar of North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association, Mecklenburg County Bar, Mecklenburg County Lawyer Referral Service panel member; former Board Member, Mecklenburg County Bar Lawyer Referral Service.

Continuing Education

I attend CLE's in Criminal Law, Family Law, and Ethics. I do generally exceed the required annual number of credits.

Example Cases

A large percentage of my cases involve quite complicated situations.
Recently I represented a wife whose husband tried to get a divorce without her knowledge. He had lied to his attorney about the parties having been physically separated for one year, as required by statute. He then intercepted the letter his lawyer had sent to the wife and hid the notice and complaint from her, thereby preventing her from filing an Answer. The wife retained me after she found a letter that referenced the pending divorce. It was stowed under the floor mat of husband's car. I got him removed from the marital residence; obtained an order preventing him from dissipating assets; and obtained alimony, as well as child support & custody of the minor children.

Education

Degree:

Juris Doctor

School:

Thomas M. Cooley

City:

Lansing

State:

MI

Year:

1980

Honors:

Book Award for highest grade in Contract Law

Focus and Accomplishments:

No. I worked part-time during my 3 years in law school: Intern with Legal Aid; intern with City Attorney's Office; paralegal.

 

Degree:

M.A.

School:

North Carolina State University

City:

Raleigh

State:

NC

Year:

1993

Focus and Accomplishments:

English, with a concentration in Creative Writing.

 

Degree:

B.A.

School:

Penn State

City:

University Park

State:

PA

Year:

1971

Focus and Accomplishments:

English.

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

North Carolina and Michigan

Firm Focus and History

My family law practice was established three years ago.

I focus on orienting the client to the legal process he is embarking on. My goal is for the client to understand the applicable law, the procedure to expect, and his range of options, so that I can work to achieve a satisfactory result for him.

Previous Employment Summary

Previous employment includes:

• Assistant district attorney
• Assistant attorney general
• Staff Counsel for the NC Hospital Association Trust Fund
• Staff Counsel for the NC Association of County Commissioners
• Assistant public defender

Activities and Awards

I am a volunteer in the State Bar's PALS program. PALS matches a volunteer lawyer with a lawyer who is struggling with alcoholism, substance abuse, or depression. The goal is to get the lawyer into recovery so that he can regain control of his life, engage in joyful healthy living, and retain his license to practice law. I volunteer with attorneys grappling with depression.

While obtaining my Master's Degree, I was an adjunct professor of business law at NC State University, Raleigh, NC.

For six months I lived in Salamanca, Spain, where I studied at the Don Quixote Language School. I have also studied at CLIC, Seville, Spain, and Forester Instituto Internacional, San Jose, Costa Rica.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

A large percentage of my cases involve quite complicated situations.
Recently I represented a wife whose husband tried to get a divorce without her knowledge. He had lied to his attorney about the parties having been physically separated for one year, as required by statute. He then intercepted the letter his lawyer had sent to the wife and hid the notice and complaint from her, thereby preventing her from filing an Answer. The wife retained me after she found a letter that referenced the pending divorce. It was stowed under the floor mat of husband's car. I got him removed from the marital residence; obtained an order preventing him from dissipating assets; and obtained alimony, as well as child support & custody of the minor children.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

It depends on the particular circumstances.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

No, I do not do this.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I enjoy the analysis and have ability to be persuasive. Law seemed a natural fit.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

My training in crisis counseling intervention and empathic listening workshops helped me develop skills that allow me to better understand what the client is facing. My clients and I generally have excellent rapport.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

Many criminal clients are substance abusers and mentally ill. The family law clients are generally in varying stages of anger, resentment, confusion, and fear. Clients in these areas of law need someone with strong advocacy skills as well as solid trial skills. Effective interpersonal skills are indispensable.

What do you like best about your career?

I believe the work I do is important. My work brings me in contact with not only people in tremendous need of counseling and representation, but I also deal with social workers, guardians, clerks of court, courtroom deputy sheriffs, and interpreters, to name a few. The substantive law is interesting, so I feel that I am always growing professionally.

Tell us about your law firm:

I am a solo practitioner.

What are your strengths and style?

My style is open and honest. I genuinely like people and treat them with respect and consideration.

My strengths are a natural ability to quickly establish rapport with clients and others who might be involved in the case; for example, other attorneys, social workers, volunteer guardians ad litem, family members, etc. My communication is clear, and I listen to what the other individual says. I use the reflective listening skills I learned through training to facilitate resolution.

Personal Interests:

I love to read and write fiction. I also enjoy gardening and experimenting with landscape designs.

My collie, Holly, is a wonderful member of the family, and she and I love to take walks. Animal rescue is also very important to me. I volunteer with Collie Rescue of NC by transporting rescued dogs to the rescue site.

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

No

Foreign Languages

I speak Spanish.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I have fixed prices for criminal defense cases. The price depends on the type of criminal charge. I do not have fixed fees for domestic cases because there is no way to predict how long the case will take.

Hourly Rates

$150.

Free Initial Consultation?

No free initial consultations. Fee is $150 for an initial one-hour consultation.

Typical Retainer

I charge flat fees for criminal defense cases. For family law & divorce cases, the retainer fee depends on the type of case. I have a written attorney-client contract for legal services for all cases.

Understanding Fees

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