Local. Family-Oriented. Compassionate
Photo of Annette L. Phelps

Annette L. Phelps

About  Annette L. Phelps
Benton Family Law is complemented by a dedicated staff. Annette Phelps has served as Mrs. Benton’s paralegal for thirty-five years.  She has over forty years of experience in the legal field and is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal with an Associate Degree in Business Administration.  Ms. Phelps will be the one working closely with clients while their case is actively pending. 

Ms. Phelps is currently a member of the North Carolina Bar Association as a member of the Paralegal Division and the Small Firm and Technology Section and is the Paralegal Division liaison to the Small Firm and Technology Section.  She has served as a council member and as Past Chair of the Paralegal Division and Past Chair of the PD Pro Bono Committee.  While the Paralegal Division’s Pro Bono Chair Ms. Phelps actively brought awareness to the State Guardian Ad Litem Program and currently serves as a Guardian Ad Litem.  During this time, she also started a program with Legal Aid and under current PD Pro Bono leadership it is now known as Legal on the Line.

Ms. Phelps is active in communities throughout North Carolina by supporting various organizations that include the County Animal Response Team, the Wayne County Humane Society, participated in the NCBA Lawyers for Literacy Program,  Wills for Heroes,  and served as a scoring judge for Mock Trial competitions, and participated in the Wayne County Career Fairs. 

Photo of Stephanie D. Crawford

Stephanie D. Crawford

About Stephanie D. Crawford

Stephanie Crawford acts as Mrs. Benton’s receptionist and legal assistant and has over 20 years of experience with the firm.  She is usually the first person you talk to when you call or visit our office.  Mrs. Crawford attended classes at Wayne Community College after high school.  She has been involved with the North Carolina Bar Association by volunteering for Wills for Heroes, Lawyers 4 Literacy in Wayne County and acting as a scoring Judge for Mock Trial. 

Mrs. Crawford and her husband take care of her niece, who is deaf and handicapped.  She spends time learning sign language to be able to communicate with her niece.  She has participated in a signing team with her church that was started because of her niece and so that her niece could communicate and participate in church. Mrs. Crawford also helps take care of a loved one with dementia.  She has spent time taking classes at the local Senior Center to learn more about dementia and how to care for her loved one.