Barri H Payne

Barri Hilton Payne was born in High Point, North Carolina and grew up in Davidson County. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in Religious studies and Sociology. After twelve years as a partner in a local law firm, Barri opened her own solo family law and mediation practice in 2013.

Barri was involved with the Holderness Moot Court while in law school at UNC and earned her law degree in 1999. She has practiced in Durham, North Carolina since that time and concentrates her practice on family law issues such as divorce, child custody and support, property division and spousal support, with an emphasis towards resolving these issues through alternatives, like mediation designed to minimize conflict for the family. In 2011, Barri became a board certified family law specialist and a certified family financial mediator. She also assists her clients with will preparation, family law appeals, and adoption. She practices primarily in Durham County, but also takes cases in Orange, Chatham, and Wake Counties.

Before beginning law school at the University of North Carolina School of Law, Barri had the opportunity to reside in several different states including Washington, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama. While she enjoyed many of these places, she loves calling North Carolina home. Barri lives in Durham with her husband John and their eight year old daughter Amelia. Her family loves the beach, camping in their RV, and Durham’s many attractions such as the Life and Science Museum and the Bulls games. Barri and her family also stay busy with activities at their church.

Barri regularly volunteers with the Legal Information Service through the Compass Center in Chapel Hill, which provides free telephone consultations to clients. Barri has taught seminars for the Compass Center’s Free Legal Clinics on the topics of child custody, child support, and spousal support. She is also currently the Chair of the Durham Family Bar Association.

Barri Payne Family Law & Mediation, is a North Carolina law firm regulated by the Rules of Professional Conduct as promulgated by the North Carolina State Bar.  As such, our lawyers do not and cannot ethically participate in many of Avvo's programs, including its Legal Topics, Legal Forms, or its fixed-price legal services. We advise extreme caution when relying on Q&A's or use of legal forms without the guidance of a qualified lawyer.