Family Law & Criminal Defense

Steady counsel for the rural communities of North Dakota.

Childress Law, PLLC was founded to bring capable, plain-spoken legal representation to the people and places too often left underserved — right here in Rugby and across the heart of the state.

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Since 2011Licensed North Dakota attorney

Rugby, NDPierce County & surrounding districts

Two focusesFamily law & criminal defense

What I Handle

Focused practice. Personal attention.

A small firm by design — so the matters that affect your family and your freedom get handled directly, not handed down.

01 — Family Law

When life and family are at stake

Difficult transitions handled with discretion and a clear head, keeping your children and your future in focus.

Divorce & separation
Child custody & parenting time
Child support

02 — Criminal Defense

When your record and freedom are on the line

An experienced former prosecutor now defending the accused — I know how the other side builds a case.

Misdemeanors
Felonies
Juvenile proceedings

Native North DakotanRooted here

The Attorney

Meredith Childress

Meredith is a native North Dakotan who opened Childress Law with a single goal: to provide real legal representation to an underserved rural population. Before going out on her own, she sat on the other side of the courtroom — as an Assistant State's Attorney for Pierce County, an attorney for North Dakota Child Support, and an attorney with the Northeast Judicial District. That experience now works for her clients.

2005

B.B.A., Business ManagementUniversity of North Dakota

2011

J.D. — Solo & Small Firm emphasisThomas Cooley School of Law · Lansing, MI

Prior

Assistant State's Attorney, Pierce County+ ND Child Support · Northeast Judicial District

i. Built for rural ND

This firm exists for the communities the big-city offices overlook. You shouldn't have to drive three hours for a straight answer.

ii. Plain-spoken counsel

The law is complicated; the way you hear about it shouldn't be. Expect clear explanations and honest expectations.

iii. Both sides of the courtroom

Years as a prosecutor and state attorney mean your case is read the way the other side will read it — before they do.

Years serving rural North DakotaEst. 2011

Core practice areasFamily & Criminal

1-on-1

Always the attorney herselfNever handed off

Typical reply timeBusiness days

Request an Appointment

Let's find a time to talk.

Tell me a little about your matter and when works for you. I'll personally confirm a time — in my Rugby office or by phone.

1
Send your requestA few quick details — no obligation.
2
I reach out to confirmWe lock in a date, time, and format that fit.
3
We sit downIn person in Rugby, or by phone if that's easier.

Most requests answered within one business day.

Initial consultations by appointment.

Appointment request

All fields marked • are required. Submitting opens a pre-filled email to the firm — nothing is shared until you hit send.

• Full name

• Phone

• Email

• What do you need help with?

• How would you like to meet?

In person By phone

Preferred date

Preferred time

Brief description (optional)

Goes straight to childresslawnd@gmail.com — no third party, no account needed.

Billing & Payments

Pay securely online, any time.

Settle an invoice, fund a retainer, or pay for a consultation from your phone or computer. Payments are handled through a secure, encrypted processor — this site never sees your card details.

Fund a retainer

Deposited to the client trust account, drawn against as work is performed.

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ii.

Pay a consultation fee

Reserve and pay for your initial sit-down in one step.

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iii.

Pay a statement balance

Already have an invoice? Settle it in under a minute.

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Your funds are protected. Retainers and advance fees are deposited into a separate client trust (IOLTA) account as North Dakota bar rules require — kept apart from the firm's operating funds until earned.

Common Questions

Answers before you ever pick up the phone.

A few of the things people most often ask. Don't see yours? Send it along with your appointment request.

The firm is based in Rugby and serves Pierce County and the surrounding communities of northeast North Dakota. Childress Law was founded specifically to bring representation to rural areas that are too often underserved — so distance from a big-city office shouldn't keep you from getting help.

Yes. When you request an appointment you can choose an in-person sit-down at the Rugby office or a phone consultation — whichever is easier given your schedule and how far you are.

Bring any paperwork tied to your matter — court papers or notices you've received, a relevant agreement or order, and a short written timeline of what's happened. For family matters, basic information about children and finances is helpful. If you're not sure, come anyway; we'll sort out what's needed together.

You can pay online any time through the secure Billing & Payments page. Advance fees and retainers are held in a separate client trust (IOLTA) account as North Dakota bar rules require, and are drawn against only as work is actually performed. Specific fees are discussed up front during your consultation.

It can. Meredith previously served as an Assistant State's Attorney for Pierce County and worked within the Northeast Judicial District — so she has seen firsthand how the other side builds and argues a case. That perspective now works for the people she defends.

Most requests are answered within one business day. If your matter is time-sensitive — an upcoming court date, for instance — note that in your request and call the office directly at (701) 776-6108.

New Clients

Start your intake online.

Filling this out before your consultation makes the first conversation count. It takes a few minutes, works on your phone, and goes straight to the firm — nothing is stored on this website.

Family Law