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Ashley-Banks-bio
Awards & Memberships
Ashley’s Areas of Practice:
Ashley T. Banks

Biography

Ashley grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and moved to Raleigh in 2007. After living in the area throughout college and law school, she has proudly embraced Raleigh as her home. As a middle child of five kids, Ashley learned to appreciate the power of a winning argument early in her childhood. She knew her upbringing and experience with a large extended family would serve as great inspiration and passion as she pursued a career in family law.

Ashley received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University, graduating magna cum laude, and then obtained her Juris Doctor from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University.

While in law school, Ashley received the Beverly Massey Scholarship and served as President of Women in Law. As president, Ashley led the organization to receive the 2013 Outstanding Organization of the Year Award for best serving the student body.

Ashley was also selected as a member of the Mock Trial Team where her skills as a litigator really began to thrive. Upon graduating, Ashley received the NC Advocates for Justice Most Outstanding Advocate Award and was inducted into the Order of Old Kivett for excelling in trial advocacy at regional and national competitions while maintaining the highest of ethical standards.

Ashley passed the bar the summer after graduating and was admitted to practice in North Carolina shortly thereafter. Since joining Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., Ashley has become a highly successful Raleigh family law attorney. She is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the Wake County Bar Association, Wake County Young Lawyers Division, and Wake County Family Law Division.

In her free time, Ashley enjoys running, spending time at the beach, and being with her Old English sheepdog, Max.

“I understand the challenges posed by complicated relationships and atypical family dynamics and use this understanding to ensure a successful outcome for my clients. I recognize how difficult it can be to see beyond the immediate crises facing my clients and to focus on the bigger picture and ultimate outcome. A family doesn’t have to look perfect, but it should come first and my experiences enable me to emphasize this point with my clients. My desire to advocate for people during this life-changing point in their family life is why I do what I do and why I practice law.”

Education

  • North Carolina State University, B.A.
  • Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, J.D.

Awards

  • Most Outstanding Advocate, NC Advocates for Justice, 2013
  • Advocacy Award, Order of Old Kivett, 2013
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2023

Bar Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

Family Law

How do I hire the right attorney to handle my family law situation?

Finding the right attorney to assist you with your particular situation and needs begins with finding one that you trust, feel comfortable with and one with which you can clearly communicate issues and concerns. During your consultation, the attorney needs to be able to ask you the right questions and spot potential issues to ensure your rights are fully protected. Good listening skills are another key characteristic you should look for in your attorney. It is extremely important that clients feel that their attorney is listening to them and really hearing their concerns. Before you leave the attorney’s office, you need to be certain that you fully understand their billing practices and how they intend to handle your case. It is a good idea to meet with a few attorneys to be sure you find the right fit for you and your situation.

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I am concerned about confidentiality; can I really share all the details of my case?

In order to represent our clients to the best of our ability, it is vital that we are provided with complete, accurate facts concerning each client’s situation. It is important to trust your attorney so that you feel comfortable in making these disclosures. Our firm holds confidentiality in high regard and you can trust that anything you tell anyone in this office is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed without your permission. You should also feel free to discuss the details of your case without fear of judgment. Our firm is here to help you and not pass judgment on any past actions or allegations that have been made in your case.

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How much can I expect to spend in legal fees?

This is the most commonly asked question by clients and the most difficult one to answer. Each case is different, and as a result the amount spent on attorney’s fees is different. While we can make general estimates of ranges of anticipated fees based on our past experience, you must understand that these estimates are not guarantees. These estimates are for your financial planning purposes and preparation. Our firm charges on an hourly rate basis or a flat fee basis, depending on the type of legal service you are seeking. For claims which seek a judgment of absolute divorce based on one year’s separation and which are not contested, we normally charge a fixed fee. With regard to other claims, we generally charge for our services at an hourly rate, which varies from attorney to attorney. Staff time is also billed at a lower hourly rate. Any specific concerns regarding the fees charged by your attorney should be explained in your legal services contract. You should always contact your attorney if you have questions or concerns about the fee arrangement as soon as possible.

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How much can I expect to spend on expenses?

Expenses are about as hard to predict as legal fees, unfortunately, as it depends on the case. If your case is in litigation, you can expect to pay court filing fees that are around $100.00 and service fees that can range from $15.00 to $100.00. If depositions are taken, not only are you paying for your attorney’s time, but you also have expenses related to the court reporter that can range from $300.00 to $600.00. If a psychological evaluation is required related to a child custody matter, this cost can range from $1,500.00 to $6,000.00. Experts are often used related to equitable distribution claims so that if you need your home appraised, for example, that may cost around $300.00. If you need a business appraised, this could cost from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00. You will be responsible for the payment of all these expenses as they are incurred unless you have an agreement otherwise; therefore, it is very important that you are part of the process when determining what expenses you are incurring and if it is is beneficial to you from a cost/benefit standpoint.

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My Spouse and I are on great terms; we both want to end the marriage. Can we both hire the same attorney to save on the expenses?

It is not ethical for an attorney to represent two people who have interests that are in actual or potential conflict. In cases of separation and divorce, the spouses’ interests are necessarily in actual or potential conflict. As a general rule, we cannot represent you and your spouse. This does not mean that your spouse must hire their own attorney; however, we cannot give your spouse legal advice because we represent our client’s interests. This can limit what questions we can answer for your spouse. If your spouse does not have a lawyer, and wants to meet to discuss any non-legal questions he/she may have and/or to execute your agreement, we can meet with you and your spouse together to do so.

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What can I do as a client to make my case progress in a more cost effective manner (i.e. how can I keep my legal expenses down)?

Always notify your attorney of any change of address, telephone number, email address or employment. Be truthful; if you are not, your attorney may not continue to represent you and this may also create undue delay in your case causing unnecessary legal fees and expenses. Handle your financial commitments to your attorney in a prompt and professional manner. Our firm understands that separation can cause significant financial strain. Thus, it is important to us that we keep our clients informed about the amount of funds left in their retainer and when it is about to be depleted. Before you get to that point, we will advise you in writing of the status of your case, your options toward resolution and the related retainer amount to pursue each option. By doing this, our firm hopes to avoid high outstanding balances that cause strain for both you and the firm.

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Meet Our Attorneys

Our attorneys handle a variety of claims, including car wrecks, truck wrecks, motorcycle wrecks, on the job injuries, wrongful death cases, harmful drug injuries, slip and fall injuries, and product liability claims, such as asbestos.

Clients Are Talking
About Our Firm
"I highly recommend Ashley and her team! They gave me great peace of mind, were timely in communications and stayed on top of each development. Thank you for your services!" - Dan Losh
"I’ve been working with Ashley Banks for two years on my case. She’s very personable and professional. I always receive prompt responses to emails. Ashley knows her stuff and I’m confident that I can trust the advice that she provides. Though the case itself can be stressful at times, working with Ashley has been the opposite. I highly recommend Younce, Vtipil, Baznik, and Banks to anyone looking for high-quality and professional legal counsel." - David Levine
"I used Ashley Banks with Younce & Vtipil for a termination of parental rights case. I cant thank her enough for all the hard work she put in our case. She is an outstanding attorney, the office is also amazing. They return calls very quickly and respond to emails extremely fast as well. We won our case on August 18, 2017. By far, the best day of my life. They worked with me on payments, and always sent an invoice of hours worked, etc. I highly recommend this firm. She took over after another attorney elsewhere jacked me around and got nothing accomplished. Ashley Banks, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made my family complete. I will also be using her for adoption services in the future. Thank you!!!!" - Lindsey Westendorf
"Working with Ashley was a great experience. She is knowledgeable, professional, and kind, and made an otherwise unpleasant situation easier to navigate." - Kristy M.
Awards & Memberships