Burke County family cases are heard in District Court at the Burke County Courthouse, 201 S Green St, Morganton, NC 28655. Our Raleigh family law team handles Burke County divorce, custody, and support cases. Call (704) 842-3411.
Burke County Family Law Attorneys
Divorce, custody, or support case in Burke County?
 Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. En español: (704) 764-1518.
Tell us about your Burke County family case
Burke County family court quick facts
| Courthouse | Burke County Courthouse, 201 S Green St, Morganton, NC 28655. Main number (828) 433-3200. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| District Court district | District 36 |
| Superior Court district | District 36 |
| Family court office | Family Court Case Coordinator (Domestic), (828) 433-3215 |
| Our serving office | Belmont office, 6640 Wilkinson Blvd, Suite 400 |
Check your exact court date and courtroom on the eCourts Portal. Courthouse details are from the North Carolina Judicial Branch and were current as of October 2026.
Family law in Burke County
Burke County family cases, including divorce, custody, child support, alimony, and equitable distribution, are filed in District Court. Contested custody cases generally go to the state custody mediation program before a judge decides them. Burke Family Court asks callers to have the file number from the upper right corner of their court papers, for example 00-CVD-0123. Equitable distribution claims must be filed before an absolute divorce is granted or they can be lost. Our Raleigh family law team handles Burke County family cases.
How a family case moves forward in Burke County
- Filing. A family case starts when a complaint is filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in Burke County. Divorce, custody, support, and property claims are District Court matters.
- Service and response. The other party must be formally served with the papers and generally has 30 days to respond.
- Custody mediation. If custody is contested, the parents are generally sent to the custody mediation program before a judge hears the case.
- Agreement or hearing. Many family cases end with a written agreement or consent order. Issues that do not settle are decided by a District Court judge.
Questions about your situation? Call (704) 842-3411. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Your Burke County family law team
Burke County clients work with our Belmont office. Family law cases are handled by our Raleigh family law team.
Where to find us
Martine Law, Belmont office
6640 Wilkinson Blvd, Suite 400
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 842-3411Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Burke County family law FAQs
Where are Burke County family cases heard?
Burke County divorce, custody, child support, and other family cases are filed in District Court at the Burke County Courthouse, 201 S Green St, Morganton, NC 28655. Your court papers or the eCourts Portal show the courtroom for each hearing.
Do I have to go to custody mediation in Burke County?
Contested custody cases generally go to the state custody mediation program before a judge decides them. The court will send notice of the orientation and mediation session.
Who handles my Burke County family case?
Our Raleigh family law team handles Burke County family cases. North Carolina lawyers can appear in any county in the state.
Does a Burke County custody case start at 50/50?
No. North Carolina law does not presume equal custody. A judge decides custody based on what will promote the interest and welfare of the child, and joint custody is one option the court must consider when a parent asks for it (N.C. Gen. Stat. 50-13.2).
How long does it take to get divorced in Burke County?
North Carolina requires you and your spouse to live separate and apart for one year before filing for absolute divorce, and one of you must have lived in North Carolina for at least six months (N.C. Gen. Stat. 50-6). After the complaint is filed, your spouse must be served and has time to respond. How quickly the divorce is heard then depends on the court calendar.
How is child support calculated in a Burke County case?
Most cases use the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines. The Guidelines look at both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and costs such as the children’s health insurance and work-related child care. A judge can depart from the Guidelines only in limited situations.
Do I have to go to court for a Burke County custody case?
Not always. Many parents settle custody through mediation or negotiation, and the agreement can become a consent order signed by a judge. If you cannot agree, a District Court judge decides custody after a hearing.
How much does a Burke County family law consultation cost?
Family law: $50 consultation with our Director of Client Engagement. Full refund if you’re not satisfied, for any reason.
Nearby counties
We also help families in these nearby counties: Caldwell County family law, Rutherford County family law, McDowell County family law, Lincoln County family law.
See the Belmont office page for every county we serve.
This page provides general information about North Carolina law and local courts. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Court locations, hours, and procedures change; confirm details with the court or with us. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.