Practice Areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in North Carolina since: 2007
Education: Texas Tech University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2017 - 2020 Details
As a founding partner of GraserSmith, PLLC, Tonya Graser Smith has dedicated her career to family law cases. She has been certified as a specialist in family law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization since 2013, and she focuses her practice on divorce, child support, child custody, alimony, equitable distribution, prenuptial agreements, contract enforcement and other similar matters. Ms. Graser Smith serves clients in the Charlotte area and its surrounding counties, and she handles matters both in litigation as well as through mediation and collaborative law.
Ms. Graser Smith received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from West Virginia University in 2003. She earned her Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2007. In her third year of law school, she participated in the Civil Legal Assistance Clinic, giving her extensive experience in family law matters. After she graduated law school, Ms. Graser Smith was an attorney with several area law firms before starting her own firm in 2014.
In 2011, Ms. Smith completed a trial school program through the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and the Section of Family Law of the American Bar Association. Admitted to practice before all North Carolina state courts, she is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. An active participant in a variety of professional organizations, Ms. Graser Smith is a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar, Charlotte Collaborative Divorce Professionals and Women Lawyers of Charlotte. Held in high esteem by her fellow attorneys, she has received a perfect 10.0 "Superb" peer review rating through Avvo.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 2007, North Carolina
Professional Webpage: http://grasersmith.com/tonya-graser-smith/
- Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 2007
- West Virginia University, B.A. Political Science , 2003
- Presenter on Contempt law to colleagues and peers in Mecklenburg County. , CLE Presenter, Contempt Continuing Legal Education, Mecklenburg County Family Bar, 2019
- CLE Presenter, What You Need to Know about Parties in the Military [for Divorce], Mecklenburg County Bar Association, 2016
- CLE Presenter, A Discussion on Contempt, Mecklenburg County Bar Association, 2012
- Educational Seminar Presentation, 10 Stupidest Mistakes Men Make When Facing Divorce, 2011
- How do parents save and pay for their children’s college educations when they are divorced or divorcing?, Kiplinger: Tonya Writes about Uncoupling, Kids and Paying for College, Legal, Parenting, 2022
- Divorce drains you — emotionally and financially. But you can bounce back — emotionally and financially. In fact, I shared my tips for achieving financial independence post divorce with Kiplinger., Kiplinger: Tonya Writes about Achieving Financial Independence after Divorce, Legal, 2021
- 12 Women Share the #1 Money Lesson They Learned From Their Mom Studies show girls aren't exposed to financial literacy as much as boys. Luckily, these money-maven moms all had...girls. By Mia TaylorMarch 09, 2021, Real Simple Features Tonya --- and Tonya's Mom, Legal, Finance, 2021
- Should you give your child an allowance? How do you answer personal (and I mean personal) finance questions like, “Hey, Mom, how much money do you and Dad make?” There are no right answers, but I’ve found some good ideas..., Kiplinger: Tonya Writes about Kids and Money, Legal, Parenting, 2021
- Untangling family finances during divorce can take some digging. Your spouse may have assets that aren’t top of mind (restricted stock or Bitcoin, anyone?), and they might be tough to value or split up. by: Tonya Graser Smith, Board Certified Specialist in Family LawMarch 3, 2021, Kiplinger: Tonya Writes about "4 'Hidden' Assets You'll Need to Account For in Divorce", Legal, Finance, 2021
- Thinking of Divorce? Before You Split, You Could Try This 1 Thing Instead A postnuptial agreement, or post-nup for short, could help you prepare for the future as you try to smooth things out. If things don’t work out, then you’ll be ready. Post-nups can even be helpful for happily married couples, in some cases. by: Tonya Graser Smith, Board Certified Specialist in Family LawDecember 15, 2020 , Kiplinger: Tonya Writes about an Intermediate Step Before Divorce. It's Like a Reset., Legal, Finance, 2020
- Can you get a prenup after you’re married? By Mia Taylor Published January 16, 2020, Tonya quoted in MSN Money regarding Post-Nuptial Agreements, Legal, Finance, 2020
- 15 Surprising Traits That Make Couples More Likely to Divorce BY KARLA WALSHJan 15, 2019, Woman's Day shares Tonya's Insight on Traits Leading to Divorce, Legal, Finance, 2019
- Articles written about news and events regarding family law and parenting advice. , Divorce News and Need to Knows - Knot Untied, Legal, 2019
- Family Law Essentials 2022 - Continuing Legal Education Planner for North Carolina Bar Association Family Law Section for Continuing Legal Education. , 2022
- Charlotte Parent - January 2022 - "Charlotte Parent to Know", 2022
- "Aligning Work with Passion" 2018 - Continuing Legal Education Planner for Women Lawyers of Charlotte, 2018
- Top Lawyers in North Carolina selected by their peers. , Legal Elite, Business North Carolina, 2022
- Super Lawyers - Selected as Super Lawyer in Family Law. , Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers of North Carolina, 2022
- Super Lawyers - Selected as Super Lawyer in Family Law. , Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers of North Carolina., 2021
- Top Lawyer in North Carolina selected by their peers. , Legal Elite, Business North Carolina, 2021
- 40 under 40 Nominee for Business North Carolina. , 40 under 40 Nominee, Business North Carolina, 2020
- Top Lawyers in North Carolina selected by their peers. , Legal Elite, Business North Carolina, 2020
- Super Lawyers Rising Star. , Super Lawyers - Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2020
- Lawyers of Distinction. , Lawyers of Distinction in Family Law, Lawyers of Distinction, 2020
- Super Lawyers of North Carolina. , Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2019
- Top Lawyers in North Carolina selected by their peers. , Legal Elite, Business North Carolina, 2019
- Super Lawyers of North Carolina. , Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2018
- Top lawyers in North Carolina selected by their peers. , Legal Elite, Business North Carolina, 2018
- Super Lawyers of North Carolina, Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2017
- Top Lawyers in North Carolina selected by their peers., Legal Elite, Business North Carolina, 2015
- Pro Bono legal services provided for clients through Moore & Van Allen's Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project. , 2022
- Pro Bono attorney for Service Members Civil Relief Act case matters in Mecklenburg County. , 2022
- Myers Park Trinity Little League Sponsor. , 2022
- Dilworth Little League Sponsor. , 2022
- Pro Bono attorney for Service Members Civil Relief Act case matters in Mecklenburg County. , 2021
- Dilworth Little League Sponsor. , 2021
- Pro Bono attorney for Service Members Civil Relief Act case matters in Mecklenburg County. , 2020
- Dilworth Little League Sponsor. , 2020
- Myers Park Trinity Little League Sponsor. , 2019
- Dilworth Little League Sponsor. , 2019
- Pro Bono attorney for Service Members Civil Relief Act case matters in Mecklenburg County. , 2019
- Pro Bono attorney for Service Members Civil Relief Act case matters in Mecklenburg County. , 2018
- Pro Bono attorney for Service Members Civil Relief Act case matters in Mecklenburg County., 2017
- Safe Alliance Pro Bono Volunteer Attorney for Domestic Violence Cases in Mecklenburg County, 2012
- Strategic Choices Continuing Legal Education regarding Alternative Dispute Resolution options such as mediation and arbitration. , 2022
- Advanced Collaborative Law Training with Pauline Tesler. , 2020
- Beyond Interest-Based Negotiations (Collaborative Law) with Stephen H. Sulmeyer. , 2019
- Recertification - North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. , 2019
- North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law - Recertification completed. , 2018
- Collaborative Law Practice Training with Pauline H. Tesler., 2015
- North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Family Law., 2013
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) and American Bar Association Family Law Section Trial School, 2011
- Attorney services more specialized to meet client needs and case matters. Implementation of technology to meet client and case matters needs in post-Covid culture. , 2022
- Growth of Premarital Agreement, Prenuptial Agreement, and Postnuptial Agreement Practice. , 2021
- Growth of Collaborative Law Family Law Practice. , 2020
- Positive outcomes for numerous clients related to their personal goals and objectives through Family Law Litigation and Mediation cases. , 2019
- North Carolina Bar Association - Family Law Section Committee Member. Alimony Committee Chair. , 2022
- North Carolina Bar Association - Continuing Legal Education planner for Fall 2022 - Family Law Essentials CLE. , 2022
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. , 2022
- Charlotte Collaborative Divorce Professionals. , 2022
- Women Lawyers of Charlotte. , 2022
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. , 2021
- Charlotte Collaborative Divorce Professionals. , 2021
- Women Lawyers of Charlotte. , 2021
- North Carolina Bar Association - Family Law Section Committee Member. Alimony Committee Chair. , 2021
- North Carolina Bar Association - Family Law Section Committee Member. , 2020
- Women Lawyers of Charlotte. , 2020
- Charlotte Collaborative Divorce Professionals. , 2020
- International Association of Collaborative Professionals. , 2020
- Continuing Legal Education Committee through the North Carolina Bar Association., 2020
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2019
- North Carolina Bar Association - Family Law Section Committee Member. , 2019
- Women Lawyers of Charlotte. , 2019
- Charlotte Collaborative Divorce Professionals, 2019
- Continuing Legal Education Committee through the North Carolina Bar Association., 2019
- Women Lawyers of Charlotte - Board Member, 2018
- North Carolina State Bar
- U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Charlotte Women Lawyers
- Mecklenburg County Bar
- Domestic Court Bar Committee, Mecklenburg County
- Board Certified Specialist In Family Law
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“A results driven attorney with legendary organizational skills and a history of achieving successful outcomes.”
“Tonya is hard working and really listens to her clients.”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2017 - 2020
Certificates and credentials
Family Law
