Chief Justice Newby Appoints Johnathan Rhyne as Complex Family Financial Court Judge
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Chief Justice Paul Newby has appointed Johnathan L. Rhyne, Jr. to serve as a judge in the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s new Complex Family Financial Court program. Rhyne is the third and final judge appointed to the new court.
Rhyne will take the oath of office on October 1, 2026.
“Johnathan Rhyne has dedicated his career to the practice of family law and has developed a deep understanding of the complex financial issues that often arise in these cases,” said Chief Justice Newby. “His experience and knowledge will strengthen the Complex Family Financial Court as we work to provide North Carolinians with a more focused and efficient approach to resolving these difficult matters.”
Johnathan Rhyne
Rhyne is a partner with The Jonas Law Firm, P.L.L.C. in Lincolnton, where he has practiced family law for more than 40 years. He has been a Board Certified Family Law Specialist for 29 years and is a Certified Family Financial Mediator. His practice has focused on separation and divorce, child custody, and family financial issues.
Rhyne graduated from Davidson College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and earned a JD from Campbell University School of Law in 1981. He was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in 1981 and to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in 2018.
Complex Family Financial Court Program
The Complex Family Financial Court program is designed to provide specialized judicial oversight of complex family financial disputes involving equitable distribution, alimony, post-separation support, child support, or any combination of those claims. Under state law, Complex Family Financial Court Judges are appointed as special superior court judges to hear and decide qualifying cases filed in district court.
The program was established by Session Law 2026-41. The legislation authorizes the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina to appoint three special superior court judges to hear and decide complex family financial cases. These judges will have authority to conduct hearings, take testimony, evaluate evidence, and enter temporary, interim, and final orders in qualifying matters.
Chief Justice Newby appointed Marci Armstrong of Smithfield as the first Chief Complex Family Financial Court Judge on July 24, 2026. He appointed Robin J. Stinson of Winston-Salem as the second Complex Family Financial Court Judge on August 13, 2026. Rhyne’s appointment completes the three-member court authorized by the General Assembly.
The new program is scheduled to begin receiving designation notices for complex family financial cases on January 1, 2027.