Family Law

• Divorce
  Our lawyers consult with colleagues in other practice areas to provide clients with the best possible results. For example, our commercial litigation attorneys litigate construction contract disputes for real estate developers. Our divorce and family law attorney works with our real estate lawyers when developing property settlement proposals in divorce proceedings. Real estate clients of Nicholls & Crampton receive the services of an entire legal team.
• Child Custody and Visitation

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Criminal law, including drug offenses, domestic violence, theft and traffic offenses such as speeding tickets, reckless driving and DUI.
• DUI/DWI
  Charges such as DWI, careless and reckless driving, and some speeding violations, can involve the loss of a person’s driving privileges and heavy fines. Even minor traffic violations can result in insurance points causing a large increase in insurance premiums. With his extensive experience Mr. Dombalis can assist you in an effort to minimize the impact of a traffic offense to either your driving privileges or your automobile insurance rates.
• Wrongful Death
• Traffic Violations
  If you are charged with a serious criminal matter, or a minor traffic violation which can affect your insurance points, you want an experienced trial attorney on your side. For almost 40 years, Nicholas J Dombalis, II has represented clients charged with offenses ranging from minor traffic violations to serious felonies.
• Theft
• Drug Crimes
  If you are charged with alcohol or marijuana possession, a conviction for these charges can have serious implications on your ability to enroll into a school of your choice or to find employment. Mr. Dombalis can assist you in an effort to minimize the impact of such a charge on your future. In many instances, a diversion program, which does not involve a conviction of the offense, is available. Following the successful completion of a diversion program, and if you are eligible, Mr. Dombalis will assist you in filing for an expungement of the charge from your record.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  In addition, we are also available to assist in the consummation of business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, financing, and the orderly dissolution of business entities. For closely held companies, succession planning and exit strategies are paramount and we have a wide range of experience in this area of business planning.
• Business Formation
• Business Disputes
  We understand that protecting the business that our clients have worked hard to build is of paramount importance. Business disputes arise. Commercial litigation is typically an option of resolving disputes that businesses of any size want to avoid. Time, expense and distraction of contentious courtroom arguments can disturb a successful company's momentum and adversely affect profits. Effective evaluation of your business dispute and developing a plan to bring the matter to a resolution is our primary concern.
• Business Transactions
• Limited Liability Companies
  At Nicholls & Crampton, P.A., we have helped numerous Raleigh and North Carolina partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Employment Law

• Non-compete Agreement
  At the Raleigh law firm of Nicholls & Crampton, P.A., our business attorneys assists clients in selecting the appropriate business entity form, including corporations, general partnerships, limited partnership, limited liability company, and joint ventures. Tax consequences play an important role in business transactions. Our attorneys assist in evaluating tax issues that impact the business formation and its continued operation. Our attorneys are skilled in the areas of employee contracts, non-compete agreements, benefit options, shareholder agreements and buy-sell arrangements.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  The Raleigh, North Carolina, law firm of Nicholls & Crampton, P.A. handles all types of real estate matters. Whether you are selling, purchasing, exchanging or leasing residential or commercial property, our office will ensure that your interests are well protected.
• Premises Liability
  For almost 40 years, Nicholas J Dombalis, II has represented persons who have been injured by the negligence of another. Although he has represented persons injured in different types of accidents (for example slip and fall, airplane collision, premises liability) most cases have involved automobile collisions in which another person was at fault. Mr. Dombalis’ fee in personal injury cases is based upon a percentage of the recovery awarded to his client. This fee arrangement is called a contingency fee.
• Construction Litigation
  As noted above, sometimes matters involving real estate require litigation. Frequent areas of dispute including landlord/tenant litigation, construction litigation and litigation relating to the purchase and sale of real estate. Whatever the real estate litigation issue, our firm is experienced in such matters and ready to assist you.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Tim Nicholls began his career as a trial attorney with the Internal Revenue Service before entering into private practice. In 1978, he was a founding partner of the firm that is now Nicholls & Crampton, P.A. For almost 50 years his practice has focused on matters relating to commercial and residential real estate transactions, estate planning and estate administration, wealth transfer, and general business and commercial matters. His knowledge of the area helps him to guide his clients through both residential and commercial real estate matters. Mr. Nicholls regularly assists clients in meeting their estate planning needs, in helping families through the administration of a loved one’s estate, in forming appropriate entities, such as limited liability companies and corporations, for their investments, and preparing various contracts and agreements for any number of transactions. His knowledge and experience allows him to evaluate his client’s most valuable assets and help them to understand the best way to protect them. Mr. Nicholls is licensed to practice in all North Carolina state courts, as well as the United States Tax Court. He is a member of both the Wake County Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association. He has been recognized as a Legal Elite in the areas of tax and estate planning, and received a Peer Review Rating of AV® Preeminent™ from Martindale-Hubbell®, which is the highest rating given for legal ability and ethical standards. Outside of his practice, Tim has held leadership positions in numerous community, church and social organizations. Tim is a native of Canton, North Carolina and received his undergraduate, with honors, and law degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is married and has one child.
• Eminent Domain
  There are a host of issues that can hinder a property owner's right to the enjoyment of his or her land or property. Eminent domain is one way.
• Easement
• Land Use and Zoning
  Land use, planning and zoning, including representation of developers, businesses and other landowners before local governments to obtain various land use and development approvals as well as in litigation over various land use disputes.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  In most automobile injury cases the owner of the automobile being driven by the at fault party has automobile liability insurance. In those cases, settlement negotiations will typically be with the insurance adjuster working for the company which insures the automobile. In order to recover damages in a personal injury case, the injured party must show that his or her injuries were proximately caused by the negligence of another party. When representing a client in a personal injury case, Mr. Dombalis will compile a settlement package that is sent to the insurance adjuster. The settlement package will include a summary of the injured party’s medical bills and medical records related to the injuries caused by the accident, a description of the cause of the accident, details about why the driver is liable for his client’s injuries, and a breakdown of the different elements of the client’s damages. These damages can include medical and other healthcare related expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and temporary and permanent disability.
• Medicaid Planning

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Louis brings to Nicholls & Crampton extensive experience in handling business, tax and estate planning matters. He has a down-to-earth style and a penchant for explaining complicated legal concepts to clients in simple, everyday terms. Louis Wooten is a devoted husband and father who understands every family’s need and desire to chart the best course for the future. Whether you are planning your estate or contemplating a business start-up or acquisition, Louis Wooten is there to help you. He has the breadth of knowledge to see the big picture and the analytical skills to guide you in making sound decisions with the present and the future in mind.
• Wills
  The lawyers of Nicholls & Crampton, P.A. represent executors and beneficiaries of estates throughout North Carolina. We can take care of the entire estate administration process. We will notify the heirs, pay any valid debts the estate may have, handle any tax matters, and distribute assets according to the terms of the estate plan. We are also able to handle will contests and other probate litigation.
• Power of Attorney
  The experienced lawyers of Nicholls & Crampton, P.A. assist clients in the drafting of wills, trusts and powers of attorney that provide for your family's future. We can build a complete estate plan that clearly and explicitly states your wishes.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  Gregory Crampton was born in Washington, D.C. in 1947, and has lived in Raleigh since early childhood. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1969, and received his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972. After graduation, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Walter E. Brock, Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Mr. Crampton concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and business litigation and business bankruptcies and reorganizations. He was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy in 1991, the first North Carolina attorney inducted into this national professional organization. He remains one of only six practicing attorneys in North Carolina so elected, and one of two in the Eastern District of North Carolina. He is a Board Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy by the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization and as a Business Bankruptcy Specialist by the American Bankruptcy Board of Specialization. He is licensed to practice in all Federal and State courts in North Carolina, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Crampton has been a frequent lecturer on business bankruptcy and related topics, was a Member of the Planning Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Business Bankruptcy Institute from 1986-1995, and has served two terms as a Council Member with the Bankruptcy Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. He is a current Member of the Panel of Trustees for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and a member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American Bankruptcy Institute.
• Foreclosure
  Bankruptcy representation including Chapter 11, reorganization and creditor representation. We also represent other interested parties in bankruptcy matters, including potential purchasers, commercial debt collections, liens, landlord representation, foreclosures, and equity holders.
• Tax Law
  Louis Wooten has practiced law for 22 years and approaches each case with the belief that all legal problems are solvable with an open mind, careful planning and a keen understanding of applicable law. He seeks practical-minded solutions to the complicated problems that business and individual clients face. Louis offers the legal expertise in business, estate and tax law associated with larger firms with the personalized attention that clients expect from smaller firms. Louis never loses sight that in the end, he is a service provider and that the satisfaction of his clients is paramount. He has received an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubble®, the highest rating given by the oldest and most trusted lawyer rating service in the United States.