District Court judges are given broad discretion in deciding family law cases and are not likely to be overturned unless the Court of Appeals determines the trial judge abused his or her discretion. Appeals cases are complicated endeavors which can be costly to pursue. They can take a year or more to be decided. For these reasons, it is wise to consult with an experienced appeals lawyer in North...

The Court of Appeals will look at the evidence presented in your case and review how the District Court judge applied the law in reaching his or her decision. The Court of Appeals will only review the evidence as it was presented to the District Court judge – it will not review new evidence or testimony. Generally, the appellate review is made on the written record with no oral arguments....

You cannot appeal the decision in your case just because you don’t like the outcome. You must have grounds. Grounds for an appeal are that the District Court judge made a mistake in how the law was applied in your case, or the judge abused his or her discretion in deciding your case – for example, the judge did not understand the facts.

In North Carolina, family law cases are tried in District Courts. If you believe the District Court made a mistake in deciding your case, you can ask a higher court – the North Carolina Court of Appeals – to review the decision. Also, in some cases, you can request review by the Supreme Court of North Carolina. You must file a “notice of appeal” within 30 days after the final order is...