Tamara is a certified copywriter and editor with over four years of experience writing legal content for some of the U.S.' best-known law firms, marketing agencies and legal service providers. She has crafted thousands of practice pages, FAQs, blog posts, case studies and long-form articles on topics such as personal injury law, mass torts and criminal law.
Tamara Armstrong
Tamara is a certified copywriter and editor with over four years of experience writing legal content for some of the U.S.' best-known law firms, marketing agencies and legal service providers. She has crafted thousands of practice pages, FAQs, blog posts, case studies and long-form articles on topics such as personal injury law, mass torts and criminal law.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
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Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Washington, D.C.’s very name conjures images of political power fights. However, some local married couples face a different type of high-stakes conflict; for some, it’s the end of their marriage.
If you’re getting divorced, compassionate and effective legal representation can keep you on an even keel amidst the chaos. Forbes’ list of the best Washington, D.C. divorce lawyers makes it easy to find a top-notch attorney to help guide you through mediation or litigation. Our overview of D.C. divorce laws provides insight into crucial issues, such as asset division, spousal support and custody.
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Best Divorce Attorneys in Washington, D.C.
Compare Top Divorce Attorneys
Filing For Divorce in Washington, D.C.
Understanding Washington, D.C.’s basic requirements and procedures is essential for a smooth divorce. Here’s what to know when filing for divorce in D.C.
Washington, D.C. Divorce Requirements
When getting divorced in D.C., you need to be aware of the specific residency and separation requirements. You or your spouse must be a D.C. resident for at least six months before filing for divorce.
As of early 2024, the legal separation requirement in D.C. is no longer in effect. Previously, D.C. law required a six-month separation if both spouses agreed to the divorce and a year’s separation if the spouses disagreed.
Types of Divorce and Separation in Washington, D.C.
D.C. is a no-fault jurisdiction, meaning you or your spouse can initiate a divorce simply by declaring that one or both spouses no longer wish to be married. As there is no longer a mandatory separation period before divorce in D.C., residents can immediately file a divorce due to a recent change in law.
You also have options other than divorce for ending a marital relationship in Washington, D.C., including:
- Legal Separation. Couples who do not want to get divorced for specific reasons, such as religious objections, can legally separate. This allows them to remain married while living separate lives and resolving crucial issues such as child custody and support, alimony and property division.
- Annulment. An annulment is a legal process that declares a marriage invalid and as if it never happened. Grounds for an annulment in Washington, D.C. include incest, lack of legal age to marry, fraud or unsound mind.
Child Custody, Support and Visitation in Washington, D.C.
As a parent, you want what’s best for your child and hope to minimize the disruption that divorce invariably brings. Child custody, support and visitation are sensitive aspects of any divorce with children. Here’s an overview of the key child custody and child support aspects of D.C. law:
- Child custody and visitation. There is a presumption that joint custody is in the best interests of the children (except if there has been domestic violence in the family, child abuse, child neglect or parental kidnapping, which can be rebutted if there is evidence that it is not in the best interests. Best interests are evaluated by considering a variety of factors, such as the parents’ and child’s wishes, the child’s adjustment to home and school, the health of any of the parties and more.
- Child support. Child support calculations adhere to specific D.C. child support guidelines. This takes into account the parents’ income and expenses and the needs of the child (medical expenses, education, etc.). The non-custodial parent is usually responsible for paying child support.
Property Division in Washington, D.C.
The separation of marital property in a divorce can be a critical factor impacting your future lifestyle. In Washington, D.C., marital property is divided according to equitable distribution, which isn’t necessarily a 50:50 division. When evaluating property division, a court may examine factors such as your and your spouse’s financial and non-financial contributions, the length of the marriage and others.
Assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered marital property in D.C. Such assets include the marital home, investments, vehicles and other personal property. Under D.C. law, even your retirement accounts may qualify as marital property. Exceptions to marital property include gifts, inheritances or other assets acquired before the marriage. Hiring a Washington, D.C., divorce lawyer can be crucial to ensure fair property division.
Spousal Support in Washington, D.C.
A D.C. court may award temporary or permanent financial support, called alimony, to a spouse. Alimony can depend on the length of the marriage, respective incomes, age and lifestyle factors. For example, suppose one spouse had a long career break while caring for children during the marriage. If this career break led to a considerable drop in income when they re-entered the labor market or prevented them from getting a job, they may be entitled to alimony.
Filing and Serving Your Divorce Papers
The process of filing for divorce in Washington D.C. begins with completing the necessary court document outlining the essential details of the divorce, which is the Complaint For Absolute Divorce. The document confirms the residency requirement and includes and indicates what the plaintiff is asking for such as child custody, child support, property division and alimony. You will also need to fill out additional paperwork, attachments relating to assets and debts, child support and child support as well as a confidential information form.
You can e-file your forms through the D.C. Courts website. The final vital divorce step entails serving your spouse with the divorce papers to notify them of the proceedings legally. Here are your options for serving your spouse:
- Using a process server or other adult to serve the papers in person
- Sending the papers via certified mail with a return receipt
- Serve the papers electronically via text, email or social media message
A divorce lawyer in Washington, D.C., can help you manage completing and filing divorce forms and ensure your spouse is served correctly.
Finalizing Your Divorce
Completing your divorce in Washington, D.C., involves certain procedures, such as court appearances and additional documents. Here’s what you need to know:
- Waiting Period. While there is no mandatory waiting period like in some other states, a D.C. divorce is not finalized until 30 days after the judgment is signed and the court has stamped the date on the divorce order.
- Hearing Requirements. While an uncontested divorce typically only requires one hearing before it is finalized, a contested divorce may go through the entire legal process, which can entail multiple hearings, discovery and other court procedures.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
Having a Washington, D.C. divorce lawyer on your side when going through one of life’s most stressful events can take some of the weight off your shoulders. A skilled divorce attorney can ensure a smoother process, protect your legal rights, and ensure that the other side isn’t taking advantage of you. Here’s how a divorce attorney can assist you:
- Legal expertise. A divorce attorney has in-depth knowledge of family law and the intricacies of divorce regulations in D.C. They can advise you, protect your rights and help you achieve a favorable outcome.
- Divorce documents. The amount of paperwork involved with a divorce can be unexpected and challenging. An attorney can prepare and file all necessary court documents and ensure your paperwork is error-free and complies with Washington, D.C. laws.
- Negotiations and settlements. A divorce lawyer can strongly advocate for your interests during settlement discussions, aiming to achieve satisfactory agreements on matters such as child custody, support and property division. They can litigate on your behalf if an amicable solution is out of reach.
- Representation in court. Having an attorney in your corner can be critical in a contested divorce. They can represent you before the judge, present your case effectively and advocate for your rights.
Working with an attorney may not be necessary if your divorce is uncontested and involves few assets. However, if you cannot agree with your spouse on critical issues, such as property division, child custody and financial support, hiring an experienced divorce lawyer is crucial.
How to Find the Best Divorce Lawyer in Washington, D.C.
Your choice of lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your divorce proceedings. Here’s what to look for in a Washington, D.C. divorce lawyer to ensure you have the best possible legal representation:
- Family Law Expertise. Rather than hiring a Jack of all trades, look for an attorney with a proven track record in divorce and family law.
- Experience with Complex Cases. If your divorce involves high assets or debts, a complicated child custody situation or other disputes, you will want to work with an attorney who has successfully handled complex and contested divorces before.
- Client Testimonials. Client reviews can be invaluable in gauging the lawyer’s reputation, success rate and client satisfaction. Positive feedback is always promising and provides insights into the attorney’s professionalism and success in achieving favorable outcomes.
- Conflict Resolution Approach. Inquire about your prospective attorney’s approach to conflict resolution. Whether an experienced mediator, expert in collaborative law, or seasoned litigator, pick a lawyer whose expertise aligns with your objectives and the specific dynamics of your divorce.
Methodology
To come up with the best divorce lawyers in Washington, D.C. of 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
As Hard As Divorce Might Be, An Online Divorce Service Can Make It Easy
Let a professional, reasonably priced online divorce service help you with all matters pertaining to your divorce.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Am I entitled to alimony if I’m not working?
Depending on your and your spouse’s circumstances, you may be entitled to alimony. In deciding whether to grant spousal support, a D.C. court will look at various issues, including:
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- The length of your marriage
- Your spouse’s ability to pay alimony
- Your ability to become self-supporting
- The standard of living that existed during your marriage
- Both of your financial situations
- The reason for the divorce and any emotional, financial or physical abuse
- Your and your spouse’s age and health
- How long it may take you to re-enter the labor market
- Whether you need training and education
- The standard of living during your marriage
- Your and your spouse’s financial needs and financial resources
Do I need a divorce lawyer?
Whether you need a divorce lawyer depends on the type of divorce. For example, you may not need a lawyer if your divorce is uncontested and you and your spouse agree on all issues, including property division and child custody. It is possible to file for a divorce without legal representation in Washington, D.C.
However, if you and your spouse have any disagreements, it’s a good idea to hire a Washington, D.C. divorce lawyer to protect yourself. Working with an attorney can also be essential if the marital property includes high-value or complex assets, such as foreign homes, a business, or large debts.
How much will my divorce cost?
No two divorces are the same, and their costs can vary considerably in D.C., depending on the type of divorce and its complexity. While filing fees in a simple uncontested divorce start at $80 in D.C., and may only amount to a total of $200 to $300 in total, not all divorces are straightforward.
The cost of contested divorces is primarily driven up by the expense of court hearings, trials and attorney’s fees, ranging from $200 to $500 an hour.
