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Our Brand Promise

At the heart of our practice, we are committed to empowering you with a deep understanding of the law and how it applies to your life. While we are qualified and ready to advocate for you, our true mission is to work alongside you, providing the tools and guidance you need to confidently navigate legal challenges and achieve the best possible outcome.
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Our firm

Working out of a home office, Sussman Law Firm, PLLC was born in December of 2015. Despite these humble beginnings, Maria Ximena Sussman, owner and founder, had a vision for what SLF would become. Even before starting law school, Maria Ximena made it a goal to not only become an attorney, but to one day become a small law firm owner. This vision, combined with passion, dedication and hard work, has led SLF to win awards and become one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country. SLF has already helped thousands of people. What began as a general practice law firm has now evolved into a firm that has extensive expertise in the areas of family law, immigration law and more.

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"To us, you're not just another client, you're a person with a story." - Maria Ximena Sussman Owner and Managing Attorney
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Charlotte Family & Divorce Lawyers and Immigration Attorneys

Both immigration and family issues can lead to complex legal processes and unexpected roadblocks. If you are dealing with the immigration process or a family disagreement, you should remember that you can work with legal representation to empower yourself, protect your rights, and push for the case result you deserve.

Many of life’s family milestones have a legal aspect to them. Getting married, navigating a divorce, adopting a baby, or setting up a safety net for an elderly parent are emotionally intense and legally significant events. Having a capable attorney that you can trust with these private matters is crucial.

Meanwhile, United States immigration rules are complex, even for people who have lived here all their lives. If you are trying to immigrate into the U.S. or are facing removal proceedings, it could seem challenging to understand what to do.

Fortunately, our Charlotte Family & Divorce lawyers and immigration attorneys are here to help you navigate your visa application, divorce process, and more. To get started on your unique case and discuss your questions with our legal team, contact us today.

How We Can Help You

If you need to ask questions, discuss your case with our team, or understand how to best proceed, our dedicated legal representatives could serve as a valuable resource.

1. Case Evaluation
1. Case Evaluation
2. Case Consultation
2. Case Consultation
3. Case Management
3. Case Management

Family Issues Can be Challenging and Taxing

There are countless family issues that Charlotte residents handle regularly, from marital agreements to divorce, separation, or child support arrangements.

Marital Agreements Explained

Marriage is a legal relationship as well as an emotional one. North Carolina directs judges to enforce prenuptial agreements (prenups) that meet specific legal requirements. It makes good sense for couples to take time before they tie the knot, making sure to have candid discussions about their financial expectations from each other and their marriage.

Additionally, couples sometimes author written agreements during a marriage that govern financial or familial issues. For example, if a couple cares for a child with special needs, a vulnerable sibling, or a parent, a marital agreement could help establish what to do if that person becomes disabled.

Separation and Divorce

Marriages do not always last forever. When a couple decides to spend the rest of their lives apart, they must legally disentangle their marital relationship.

The divorce process is usually smoother if a couple has valid agreements governing property distribution and alimony. If a separating or divorcing couple are parents, they must also resolve issues regarding their children.

If you do not have any family agreements drafted when you begin a separation or divorce, a Charlotte lawyer could help you negotiate financial settlements, custody arrangements, visitation, and child support.

Guidance Through Immigration Issues

U.S. immigration law changes regularly, which makes it challenging to understand. If you are seeking asylum, applying for a green card, or sponsoring a spouse for an immigration permit, you might run into unexpected roadblocks or procedural issues that bring your case to a halt. Thankfully, our dedicated Charlotte attorneys could help you resolve your immigration case in the most productive way possible.

Assisting Asylum Seekers

People with a reasonable fear of persecution in their homeland can seek asylum in the United States to pursue a safer life. Foreign nationals can pursue asylum if they have already entered the country, are afraid to return home, and seek permission to stay. Anyone seeking asylum must show that they suffered actual harm in their home country and have a legitimate and reasonable fear the harm will continue if they return.
Acceptable proof of persecution could include photographs, medical records, witness statements, reports about human rights abuses in the country of origin, and similar evidence. If you need help applying for asylum, our legal team could assist with gathering the right evidence and presenting a compelling case to the U.S. government.

Help with Visa and Green Card Applications

On the other hand, any foreign national entering the country needs a visa. Tourist, student, and temporary worker visas are readily available, but people who hope to immigrate need a visa that allows them to apply for permanent residency (a green card).

Multiple categories of visas are available, and all have different requirements. Unless an applicant wins a spot in the visa lottery, they usually need to seek sponsorship from someone in the U.S. when applying for a visa. The process could take weeks, months, or years, depending on the circumstances. Our legal team understands that long waits for immigration can be frustrating and can work to streamline your case process as much as possible.

Maria Ximena Sussman
Our People
Maria Ximena Sussman
Owner and Managing Attorney
Maria Ximena Sussman received her B.S. in Political Science and Criminal Justice in 2004 from East Carolina University. In 2007, she pursued an MBA with an emphasis in Accounting at Winthrop University but was unable to finish due to the economic crash of 2008. After working as a litigation-certified paralegal...
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Jennifer Ezeigwe
Our People
Jennifer Ezeigwe
Associate Attorney
Jennifer Guerrero Ezeigwe, Esq, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Johnson & Wales University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Jennifer's interest in Government and Policy led her to a double minor in Psychology and National Security. From there, Jennifer joined the United States Army serving as...
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Ian Ballard
Our People
Ian Ballard
Associate Attorney
Ian was born in Texas and went to university in Texas and Colorado. His father's side of the family is from Guanajuato, Mexico, one of his favorite places in the world. For the last 8 years, Ian was living in Russia and Europe and only recently returned to the United...
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Athina Hinson
Our People
Athina Hinson
Associate Attorney
Athina Hinson-Boyte received her B.A. in Applied Anthropology and Philosophy in 2014 from UNC Charlotte. In 2015, she began working as an advocate for a non-profit organization serving victims of domestic and sexual violence, where she worked for several years. Her work there inspired her to go to law school....
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Elizabeth Shirazi
Our People
Elizabeth Shirazi
Associate Attorney
Elizabeth Shirazi received her B.S. in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health from East Carolina University in 2019. After working in compliance at a healthcare education company, she decided to take the next steps in her education and attend law school. Elizabeth Shirazi began her studies at Campbell...
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Jill Dawkins
Our People
Jill Dawkins
Associate Attorney
Jill had the privilege of moving to different states as a child because her father was in the military. After her father retired, her family ended up in Roanoke, VA where Jill attended middle school and high school. It was in Roanoke where her interest in foreign language and cultures...
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Maro Alexandra Schnabel
Our People
Maro Alexandra Schnabel
Office Manager
Maro Schnabel, Office Manager at Sussman Law Firm, PLLC is originally from Caracas, Venezuela where she received her B.S. in Business Administration. She began her career in the hospitality industry, owning several restaurants in Venezuela. In 2008, she moved with her family to Charlotte, North Carolina expanding her horizon in...
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Cristian Morales
Our People
Cristian Morales
Paralegal
Cristian Alberto Morales is a seasoned bilingual (Spanish and English) legal professional with over two decades of diverse experience in the financial and legal sectors. He earned his Bachelor of Laws in 2022 from Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Ecuador) and pursued a Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Penn State...
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Bruna Adams
Our People
Bruna Adams
Paralegal
Bruna Adams was born and raised in Vitoria, Brazil, where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Law and became a Lawyer in 2022. Following her family’s footsteps in the legal profession, she initially practiced Corporate Law. However, Bruna had a profound interest in International and Immigration Law and aspired to...
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Van Elder Espinal Maldonado
Our People
Van Elder Espinal Maldonado
Paralegal
Van Elder Espinal Maldonado is a skilled legal professional with extensive experience in tax law and administrative processes. He holds a Master's Degree in Tax Law and Tax Advisory from Universidad Iberoamericana in the Dominican Republic and a Master's in Civil Law from Université Panthéon-Assas Paris II. He earned a...
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Nicole Ximena Amorocho
Our People
Nicole Ximena Amorocho
Legal Assistant
Nicole Ximena Amorocho was born in Greenville, North Carolina, but moved to Charlotte shortly thereafter and since then, has called Charlotte her home. Nicole graduated cum laude from Carmel Christian School in 2021. She was also a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Explorer, Varsity Cheerleader, and member of the Havilah Dance Company...
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Wendy Martinez
Our People
Wendy Martinez
Legal Assistant
Wendy Martinez received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2014 from Catawba College, with a concentration in Accounting. After gaining experience in Banking and Project Management, Wendy continued to expand her skills and knowledge, aiming for a career focused on helping others. Wendy is now exploring new horizons...
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Jocelyn Marte
Our People
Jocelyn Marte
Legal Assistant
Jocelyn Marte was born in Long Island, New York, but relocated to North Carolina at the age of three, where she has resided since. She graduated from Wakefield High School in Raleigh, NC, in 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Following her graduation, Jocelyn moved to Charlotte and took...
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Rebeca Rodriguez
Our People
Rebeca Rodriguez
Legal Assistant
Rebeca Vidalia Rodriguez es originaria de Los Ángeles, California, pero se mudó a Bentonville, Arkansas, a los ocho años. En 2022, ella y su esposo Hector se trasladaron a Charlotte, Carolina del Norte, por el trabajo de Hector. Rebeca Vidalia Rodriguez obtuvo su licenciatura en Justicia Criminal y Psicología en...
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Sara Pacheco
Our People
Sara Pacheco
Marketing Assistant
Sara Pacheco is a 30-year-old graphic designer originally from Colombia. She graduated from architecture school in 2015. However, her passion for creative writing, with an emphasis on scriptwriting, led her to pursue further studies, and in 2018, she earned another degree in creative writing. Sara's diverse skill set includes experience...
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Sara Elizabeth Perez
Our People
Sara Elizabeth Perez
Executive Assistant
Sara Pérez is 31-year-old and lives in El Salvador. She graduated from Modern Languages School from the University of El Salvador. She also holds a certification in Project Management. Sara's diverse skill set includes experience in customer service, English and French teaching, and social programs management. Sara indulges in various...
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Letty Alvarez
Our People
Letty Alvarez
Administrative Assistant
Letty Alvarez came to the United States at a very young age. Upon graduating high school in Tennessee, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and established roots. Since then, Letty has worked in recruiting and the retail industry. Today, Letty is using her people skills to make anyone visiting Sussman...
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Margarita Herrera
Our People
Margarita Herrera
Billing Clerk
Margarita is a native Mexican, graduated in Economics and International Business in 2019, she also has diplomas in finance and microeconomics. She has more than six years of experience in the field and her dedication and ambition has led her to be part of large projects with economic-social impact. She...
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How to Choose the Right Lawyer

    what our clients say
    about us
    Sussman Law Firm has proven to be a great find. They were very thorough about what the process would look like and what we would need to provide. Ian was assigned to our case and I can’t say enough about his dedication and attention to detail. To say he worked...
    Dean B.
    During my initial consultation here I was glad that Maria and even the receptionist were very warming and inviting. This meant everything to me. I was really appreciative of Attorney Maria Sussman breaking down the specifics of what to expect during my divorce and working with me financially as well...
    Tamekia T.
    Thank you Sussman Law Firm for a great experience in petitioning my parents for their green card. Highly satisfied with my experience at Sussman Law Firm. Attorney Ian is very professional, friendly and kind. He is also very communicative and always reaches out if any document is needed from us....
    Yoselin A.
    Very professional and super nice, they help you and check with you all the way in the process, would absolutely recommend
    Humberto V.
    I’m very happy with the way how the Law Firm and specially the attorney Camacho and her assistant Ernesto took my case since the beginning to the end. They are a very professional team. Thank you for the help getting my divorce done, which I was really happy to do...
    Alex C.

    giving back

    giving back

    At Sussman Law Firm, PLLC, giving back is one of our priorities. Since 2017, we have pledged our support to Operation Smile. This charity is very dear to our hearts, as their mission is to provide much-needed repair surgeries to children who have been born with a cleft lip/palate and other facial deformities. In 2018, we also began providing support to Reach Out Orphanage Ministries (also known as ROOM). This non-profit organization provides aid to orphanages in Nepal, India, and Honduras.

    Please visit Operation Smile and Room to read more about these wonderful organizations and the lives they are changing all over the world. We would be thrilled to have you as a partner in this very special endeavor, as we raise money to donate to these charities. Tax-deductible donations may be made by clicking on the links above.

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    Call our Charlotte Family & Divorce
    Attorneys and Immigration Lawyers Today

    If you need help filing for divorce, navigating a separation, seeking a green card, or pursuing asylum protection, you should remember that you are not alone. Our Charlotte family & divorce lawyers and immigration attorneys can empower you to achieve the results you deserve, regardless of your case type. To learn more about your legal options, call our office today to schedule a consultation. During your first meeting, our team can listen to your concerns, answer questions, and help set expectations for your case process. Reach out today to learn more.

    Let Us Help You!

      Charlotte Family & Divorce Lawyers and Immigration Attorneys

      Charlotte Family & Divorce Lawyers and Immigration Attorneys N/a

      Charlotte Family & Divorce Lawyers and Immigration Attorneys