A native New Bernian, Dec returned to New Bern after law school as a fourth generation attorney to join the family law firm that was started by his great-grandfather, Alfred Decatur Ward, and began practicing with his father, Alfred Decatur Ward; grandfather, William Farrior Ward; and uncle, Kennedy W. Ward. He initially practiced in multiple areas of the law involving extensive litigation before deciding to limit his practice to Family Law more than 25 years ago.
Dec has represented clients in every aspect of Family Law, including, but not limited to, child custody, child support, post-separation support, alimony and equitable distribution. He has extensive experience handling complicated family law matters, many of which involved millions of dollars in assets.
Having been through a divorce himself, Dec has recognized the savings to his clients, both emotionally and financially, in resolving their cases through settlement rather than trial, which has led him to become a Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Mediator in Family Law Financial and Divorce matters. Dec has successfully mediated and settled hundreds of Family Law cases, utilizing his negotiation and litigation skills acquired in over 38 years of practicing law.
Dec's success in representing clients and serving as a mediator in Family Law matters has resulted in his being selected by his peers as one of the top lawyers in North Carolina in Family Law ("Legal Elite") and being recognized and selected to be included in the "Best Lawyers in America."
EDUCATION