No one wants to find themselves in family court. It usually means you are facing an issue related to your marriage, children, or another important factor in your life. The most important thing you can do in this situation is to consult with an experienced family law attorney in the D.C. area.
Curran Moher Weis is a full-service law firm helping clients in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland. We are committed to seeking the most favorable results for every client, no matter what type of family-related case you might have.
Contact our family law attorneys in Washington, D.C., today if you need assistance. We can meet to discuss your situation and advise on your options.
Divorce Attorney in Washington, D.C.
Getting divorced is always stressful, and the complex legal process only adds to the upheaval and emotional effects you are already experiencing with the end of a marriage.
Washington, D.C., has its own divorce laws and requirements that all spouses must adhere to end their marriages. First, one of you must have been a resident of D.C. for at least six months before the divorce filing. Next, you must support a divorce petition with specific grounds, which can be:
- Separation without living in the same house for six months or longer if both of you agree to voluntary separation.
- Separation without living in the same house for one year or longer if one of you does not voluntarily agree to the separation.
Once you meet these requirements, you can file a petition to begin the divorce process.
Most of the process involves resolving issues relating to separating your households. Our attorneys know your rights under D.C. divorce laws, and we ensure that the outcome of your divorce supports your financial and parental rights.
At Curran Moher Weis, our attorneys handle many different types of divorce cases, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Separation is the legal status of living apart from your spouse. It can be a temporary or permanent arrangement. In some cases, separation may be necessary before filing for divorce.
- Collaborative divorce is designed to be cooperative and non-adversarial. In a collaborative divorce, you both would work with your attorneys to reach an agreement on all of the issues involved in the divorce, such as child custody, child support, property division, and alimony.
- Fault-based divorce is one in which one spouse must prove that the other committed some sort of marital fault, such as adultery, abandonment, or physical or emotional abuse
- No-fault divorce is a divorce in which no one needs to prove the other spouse committed any marital fault. In most states, no-fault divorce is the only way to get a divorce.
- High-net-worth divorce. This type of divorce involves spouses with significant assets, such as businesses, real estate, and investments. High-net-worth divorces can be complex and time-consuming and often require the expertise of experienced attorneys.
- Divorce mediation. Mediation is where you both work with a neutral mediator to agree on all the divorce issues. Mediation can be a less expensive and more comfortable way to resolve divorce issues than going to court.
- Child-related matters in a divorce include child custody, child support, and visitation. The court will decide these matters based on the child’s best interests.
- Property division. Divining up marital assets, like property, money, and investments, is decided by the court, which will divide the assets equitably, meaning each spouse will receive equal assets in most cases, although there are some exceptions.
- Alimony is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to the other after a divorce. Alimony is typically awarded to the spouse who has less earning potential and who needs financial support.
- Military divorce can be complicated, as it involves one or both spouses who are military members. The issues surrounding military divorces involve federal law and military regulations, so experienced legal representation is a must.
- Pensions and divorce. This complex issue can significantly impact the financial outcome of a divorce. The court will determine how to divide the pension benefits, if any, earned during the marriage.
Whether you believe your divorce is relatively straightforward, highly contentious, or involves high wealth or complex financial concerns, our experienced, compassionate divorce attorneys have the experience and resources to ensure your best outcome.
Setting Terms for Separation
If you are not ready for a final divorce yet, we can help you set the terms of a separation. This is a different process with different requirements in Washington, D.C. We listen to your goals and ensure you move forward post-divorce in the best position possible.
If you are interested in pursuing legal separation, Curran Moher Weis can help with the process, including helping you to
- File a petition for separation. The first step is to file a petition for separation with the Circuit Court of the county in which you live. The petition must include your name, your spouse’s name, and the date of your marriage. It must also state the grounds for your separation, such as irreconcilable differences or abandonment.
- Serve your spouse with the petition. Once you have filed your petition, you must serve a copy of it on your spouse. You can do this by having it personally served on your spouse, by mailing it to your spouse, or by having it served by a process server.
- Attend a hearing. After your spouse has been served, the court will schedule a hearing. The judge will review your petition and decide whether to grant your request for separation.
- Enter into a separation agreement. If the court grants your request for separation, you and your spouse must enter into a separation agreement. This agreement will set forth the terms of your separation, such as child custody, child support, alimony, and property division.
- File the separation agreement with the court. Once you and your spouse have entered into a separation agreement, you must file it with the court. The court will then issue a separation decree, making your separation official.
It is important to note that the legal process of setting terms for separation in Washington, D.C. can be complex and time-consuming. If you are considering separation, it is important to speak with an experienced family law attorney to discuss your options.
Family Law Attorney in Washington, D.C.
Divorce is far from the only case heard in family court, and our firm handles many other types of family-related matters, including:
- Child custody is the legal right to decide about a child’s upbringing, including where the child lives, what school the child attends, and what medical care the child receives. Child custody can be either sole or joint. Sole custody means one parent has the exclusive right to make decisions about the child. Joint custody means that both parents have the right to decide about the child.
- Visitation. Visitation cases deal with the right of a parent who does not have custody of a child to spend time with the child. The court usually orders visitation, which can be supervised or unsupervised. Supervised visitation means the parent who does not have custody must have the child’s visits supervised by a third party, such as a social worker or a family friend. Unsupervised visitation means the parent who does not have custody can have the child’s visits without supervision.
- Child support. These payments are made by one parent to the other to help support the child. The court usually orders child support, and it is based on the income of both parents and the needs of the child.
- Domestic violence. Any behavior used to control or intimidate a partner or family member is considered domestic violence. This can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse. If you are experiencing domestic violence, knowing that you are not alone is important. Many resources are available to help you, including The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 and go to a safe place.
- International family law. Cases dealing with family law issues crossing international borders fall under international family law. These issues can include child custody, child support, divorce, and adoption.
- Powers of attorney. These legal documents give someone else the authority to decide on your behalf if you cannot make them yourself. There are two types of powers of attorney: general and durable. A general power of attorney gives someone you appoint the authority to make all of your financial and medical decisions. A durable power of attorney gives the person you appoint the authority to make all of your decisions, but only if you become incapacitated.
- Prenuptial agreements are made before a couple gets married. These legal agreements typically deal with issues such as property division, child custody, and alimony in the event of a divorce.
If you have a family law case, speak to our team about how we might assist you in Washington, D.C.
Don’t Wait to Learn How Our Washington D.C. Divorce and Family Law Attorneys Can Help
Many factors can complicate a divorce, including spouses who cannot agree on one or more issues. We take on even the most challenging divorce cases at Curran Moher Weis. You want an experienced, compassionate legal professional advising you and protecting your interests and future from the start to the finish of your divorce, and our lawyers are willing to help.
At Curran Moher Weis, our commitment to our clients is the number one priority. We know the family laws and procedures in D.C. courts and can apply the law to your case in the most favorable light possible. We fight for our clients’ rights, interests, and futures and provide support throughout every step of the process.
If you have an upcoming or pending divorce or family law case, do not wait for the legal help you need. Please contact us today to discuss how we can help in your family law matter. Our dedicated team is ready to help you.
