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We are qualified and experienced lawyers ready to advocate for you. However, empowering you is our number one mission.
FAMILY
IMMIGRATION
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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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EMPOWERED PEOPLE
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YEARS OF COMBINED LEGAL
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GLOBAL & LOCAL GIVING BACK INITIATIVES

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. After working as a litigation-certified paralegal for two prominent law firms in Charlotte, she decided to fulfill one...
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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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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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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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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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Ailine Salgado
Our People
Ailine Salgado
Legal Assistant
Ailine Salgado is originally from Morelos, Mexico but moved to Mooresville, North Carolina at the age of six.  In 2006 her family and her moved to Huntersville, North Carolina. She has called Huntersville her home since then.    Ailine Salgado graduated from William Amos Hough High School in 2014.   Shortly...
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Jacsiry Lopez
Our People
Jacsiry Lopez
Legal Assistant
Jacsiry Lopez was born in Nicaragua but raised in Miami, Florida. She obtained her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.  Jacsiry volunteered at an outreach center for youth where her eagerness to help grew in depth, and as a result, can now relate in many ways to people from all walks...
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Chloe Nicola
Our People
Chloe Nicola
Legal Assistant
Chloe Nicola attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on a full-ride academic scholarship earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish, Political Science (Honors), and International Studies. While a student, Chloe earned several distinctions including being named to the 2021 Niner 9, Who's Who at UNC Charlotte, and having...
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Maria Torres
Our People
Maria Torres
Legal Secretary
Maria Torres is from Jalisco, Mexico and came to the United States at the young age of two. She graduated from Independence High School.  Maria is fully bilingual.  She has an extensive background in staffing, where she was able to help the Hispanic community.   Maria loves helping people and building...
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Yolanda Juarez
Our People
Yolanda Juarez
Legal Secretary
Yolanda Juarez Rodriguez was born and raised in the Queen City, also known as Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated from East Mecklenburg high school in 2020. She then continued her education at Central Piedmont Community College and received her Associates of Arts degree in 2022. After receiving her Associates 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

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      Charlotte Family & Divorce Lawyers and Immigration Attorneys