$ 375-375 per hour
Lloyd T. Kelso
About Lloyd
Biography
Skills and Specialty:
1989 - present: Certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in North Carolina Family Law;
2001: Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate;
1999: Completed course in Motor Vehicle Collision Reconstruction, Texas Engineering Extension Service, Texas A & M University.
Additional background:
I was born in Gastonia, North Carolina in 1950 to Herbert Reece Kelso (1928-2008), and Becky Hope Kelso. I was their only child. As a child, I spent a lot of time driving midget race cars and working in my dad's garage, particularly on Volkswagens. In fact, while in high school, my dad and I built a Volkswagen that we took from a junk yard. It had red metal flake paint and a sun roof. It was my pride and joy and got me back and forth to college. While in high school, I played football for four years and was selected for North Carolina Boys State. My parents encouraged me to go to college, so in 1969 I entered Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina. After obtaining a degree in history, I attended the University of South Carolina School of Law and obtained a law degree in 1975. I returned to Gastonia, North Carolina to practice law. In the early part of my career, I practiced real estate law, helping couples to purchase homes. In 1978, I opened my own office and became more of a courtroom attorney. I tried civil cases and criminal cases. In all, I have tried more than 100 jury trials in my career. Although I had always attended church, in 2000 I became involved in a Disciple Bible Study Class at River Hills Community Church. During my second year in the Bible study, I answered God's call to enter seminary in 2003. At first, I felt I would become a pastor, but later, it became apparent to me that God had another plan for me. So, after graduating from seminary in 2006 with masters degrees in divinity and Christian counseling, I returned to the practice of law. I joined the Christian Legal Society, and since returning to law practice, I have tried to conduct my practice as a ministry to the people that we serve. In June 2009, I founded the Christian Family Law Association, Inc., a nonprofit organization of attorneys and legal service providers who make the decision to view their family law practices as a ministry. See, . Our goal is to equip family law attorneys to view their family law practices as a ministry.
Practice Areas
18
Practice Areas
Family
17%
49 years | 5,000 cases
Divorce and Separation
15%
49 years | 3,000 cases
Alimony
10%
49 years | 1,500 cases
Child Custody
10%
49 years | 2,500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Contingency
30%-35%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Tennessee for 32 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 1994
Licensed in North Carolina for 48 years
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 1977
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2022
Licensed in South Carolina for 49 years
State: South Carolina
Acquired: 1976
Location
Lloyd T. Kelso, Attorney at Law
502 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC, 28054
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Lloyd T. Kelso's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
23 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Responsiveness
Posted by anonymous | October 22, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family
Lloyd Kelso Rocks!
Lloyd is an excellent attorney with over 30 years of experience in family law. During my case he went out of his way to reduce costs and aggressively pursued a just ruling. He was extremely proactive, professional, compassionate and did his research! His office also kept me well informed in a timely ...
Posted by Larry | April 02, 2014 | Child Custody
buyer beware with this one.
I retained Lloyd Kelso in a child custody case in late 2010. He made mistakes, and actually did things opposite of what we discussed during our $1000.00 consutation about strategy. When I inquired as to the change of course he became very aggitated and argumentative, until I was finally able to get h...
Lloyd Kelso
Replied last April 02, 2014The above client review contains inaccurate facts. This client objected to a continuance of the case even though the adverse party (Mother's) house burned down just before the hearing and her new husband was severely burned in the fire. The attorney did apologize for the case having to be continued. After a court date was obtained on a date and in front of a judge the client helped select, the client refused to pay fees to continue forward with the case and indicated he wanted to represent himself. The initial consultation of 15 minutes was free. Following that 15 minutes, work was performed in preparing his motion for change of custody which took a substantial amount of time to prepare. The attorney does not type in a "hunt and peck style" and in fact types in excess of 50 word per minute. He advised client that it was better that he type the documents to save the client money. He did not say the wife (paralegal) made mistakes. Rather, that by the time he dictated the document, the paralegal typed the document, and revisions were made, that it would cost less if the attorney typed the document. It also assisted the attorney in obtaining information from the client and familiarizing the attorney with all the facts of the case. The attorney uses a timer and does not constantly check his watch during interviews. Charges are based on .1 of an hour, which is a 6 minute interval. Attorney does charge for reading and responding to emails. Attorney does give refunds for the monies that have not been earned.
Posted by David | June 27, 2012 | Child Custody
Excellent Family Law Attorney
At the time I hired Mr. Kelso, I had been working to bring resolution to my child custody and equitable distribution case for almost two years. Two prior attorneys worked on my case. I regarded neither of them as trustworthy or responsive. Mr. Kelso was a breath of fresh air. He listened to my st...
Posted by anonymous | July 31, 2009 | Family
Current Client
Mr. Kelso is a strong Christian lawyer, as well as a Christian counselor. This was very important to us in choosing someone to help us through the crisis we are currently dealing with. He has continued to be available within reasonable time frames when we have called and needed to talk with him. H...
Lloyd T. Kelso's Lawyer Endorsements
"I am impressed with Mr. Kelso's thoughtful advice and answers to legal questions on Avvo. He has an in-depth understanding of the law and an ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively. I endorse this lawyer!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"A truly excellent attorney well respected in the legal community. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I always enjoy reading his answer they are professional and accurate and that is why I have referred him clients and will continue to do so."
"I endorse Lloyd. His experience and approach make him an outstanding family lawyer."
"I endorse Lloyd. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Lloyd Kelso is a solutions-oriented, compassionate advocate, who not only knows the law but provides his clients with real-world, constructive advice to help solve them resolve their disputes in a reasonable, dignified and cost-effective manner. He is very knowledgeable, and I routinely rely on his book on North Carolina Family Law in my own practice. It is a must have for any family law practitioner in this state. Lloyd realizes that each case isn't just a set of facts for the lawyer to digest and apply the law. He understands that there is a real family involved, who is suffering. He uses his vast experience, legal expertise, and Christian principles to help families, and it's my privilege to endorse him."
"Lloyd is a rare combination of excellence, commitment to client and cause, and compassion. He sets the standard for family law practice in North Carolina and I highly recommend him."
"Mr. Kelso and I worked on opposite sides of a high conflict custody case. I was impressed not only by Mr. Kelso's knowledge of the law, but his creative methods to address the unique situations presented in the case. Mr. Kelso is a caring attorney who helps his clients to also learn to cope with the emotional issues while crafting strong legal solutions."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Kelso is an outstanding attorney with a wonderful reputation . He is a strong and zealous advocate for his clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly endorse him."
"I am a fellow lawyer who has worked as co-counsel with Lloyd Kelso in the past. He is fair, ethical, and knowledgeable in his practice."
"Lloyd Kelso is an excellent family attorney. He has an extraordinary sense of fairness and a depth of knowledge that produced a textbook that ought to be on every NC Family Law practitioner's desk. I have had the pleasure of knowing Lloyd for more that 20 years and have called on him for assistance on a couple of occaisions. I highly recommend him!"
"I have known Lloyd for many years. He is truly a dedicated professional and accomplished author on Family Law in North Carolina. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. He wrote the "book" on family law and I've referred family to him."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2022.
Suspension issued in NC, 2022
updated on 01/06/2023Suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
Honors
2024
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
Board Certified Specialist - Family Law, North Carolina State Bar
2017
Client Champion, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Twenty-Five Year Pin for 25 years as a Family Law Specialist, North Carolina State Bar
2006
Phi Alphi Chi, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
2005
Psi Chi, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
2000
Recognized as an "Advocate", Association of Trial Lawyers of America
1974
American Jurisprudence Award - Constitutional Law, University of South Carolina Law School
1973
Library Award, Erskine College
1972
Omicron Delta Kappa, Erskine College
Work Experience
1997 - Present
Owner, Lloyd T. Kelso, Attorney at Law
1995 - 1997
Partner, Ervin, Gates & Kelso
1994 - 1995
Senior Partner, Kelso, Ferguson & McGraw
1983 - 1994
Senior Partner, Kelso & Ferguson, Attorneys at Law
1978 - 1983
Owner, Lloyd T. Kelso, P.A.
1976 - 1978
Associate, Charles D. Gray, III, P.A.
Associations
2009 - Present
Christian Family Law AssociationFounder
2008 - Present
Christian Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Christian Legal SocietyMember
1977 - Present
North Carolina Bar AssociationMember
1977 - Present
Gaston County Bar AssociationMember
2000 - 2002
Gastonia Mayor's Task Force on HomelessnessChairman
2000 - 2003
River Hills Community ChurchFoundation Trustee & Staff Relations Committee
1992 - 1993
Gaston County Bar AssociationPresident
1987 - 1988
Belmont Abbey CollegeTeacher of Business Law
1986 - 1987
Christ United Methodist ChurchPresident of Methodist Men
1978 - 2003
Association of Trial Lawyers of AmericaMember
1978 - 2003
North Carolina Academy of Trial LawyersMember
1978 - 1979
Gastonia JayceesVice President
1977 - 1978
Hamilton CollegeTeacher of Business Law
1977 - 1981
Gastonia JayceesDirector
1976 - 1977
Biscayne Southern CollegeTeacher of Business Law and Insurance Law
Sample of Legal Cases
$75,000 Settlement
Settled $75,000
Guess vs. Parrott
$525,000 Personal Injury Settlement
Education
2006
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
MA - Masters
2006
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
MA - Masters
1975
University of South Carolina School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1973
Erskine College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
Christian Family Law Association Conference
Choices Have Consequences
2010
Christian Legal Society Student Chapter
Practicing Law as a Ministry
2009
Christian Legal Society Luncheon
Voice of Truth
1999
"How To Hammer Allstate"
Ten Successful Tips on Trying the Connective Tissue Case
1998
"How To Combat Insurance Abuse"
Trial Issues: Preparing Successful Motions in Limine, Effective Voir Dire, Dealing with Irrelevant Defenses, Opening Statement, Closing Argument Tactics
1991
Family Law Practice Manual
"Invalid Marriages and Annulment"
1991
Family Law Practice Manual
"Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act"
1991
Family Law Ethics
"Handling the Emotionally Troubled and Difficult Client"
1990
Family Support Litigation
"Dealing with the Difficult Domestic Client"
1989
Family Law Practice Manual
"Invalid Marriages and Annulment"
1989
Family Law Practice Manual
"Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act"
1989
Family Law Practice Manual
"Child Support in North Carolina"
Publications
2009
Kelso, North Carolina Family Law Statutes
Statutes, Leading Cases, and Commentary
2008
North Carolina Family Law Practice (2 Volumes)
Divorce, Alimony, Child Custody, Forms
2008
Kelso, North Carolina Family Law Statutes
Statutes, Leading Cases, and Commentary
2007
Kelso, North Carolina Family Law Statutes
Statutes, Leading Cases, and Commentary
2001
Kelso, North Carolina Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody with Forms (4th Ed.)
North Carolina Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody with Forms
1995
Kelso, North Carolina Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody with Forms (3rd Ed.)
North Carolina Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody with Forms
1989
Kelso, North Carolina Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody with Forms (2nd Ed.)
North Carolina Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody with Forms
1983
Kelso, North Carolina Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody with Forms
North Carolina Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody with Forms
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How to get a divorce or annulment when she is in Prison? I am not sure if she was married during the time we got married also
23 Jan 2015
Q&A
Does a court order make the original child custody agreement void?
23 Jul 2013
Q&A
We were married in TN and live in NC. We were only married for 6 months can I get it annuled/?
25 Jun 2013
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Obtaining an Absolute Divorce
14 Jun 2012
Legal Guide
CHECKLIST OF FACTORS FOR ASSESSING BEST INTEREST OF CHILD
22 May 2012
Legal Guide
Rules for Working with Your Spouse on an Agreement
09 Aug 2009