In order to obtain a divorce in the District of Columbia you must meet the District’s residency requirements and also qualify under one of the District’s two grounds for divorce. What are the residency requirements for divorce in the District of Columbia? The residency requirement states that either you or your spouse must have been … Read more
In the D.C. metro area child custody disputes often arise that involve multiple states. For example, the children may reside in the District of Columbia, but one of the parents reside in Virginia or Maryland or vice versa. When a situation such as this arises the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) sets the … Read more
A statute of limitations prescribes the maximum amount of time that can pass before action is barred from being brought. For example, in the District of Columbia, the statute of limitations for bringing a civil case for assault is one year. Therefore, the person seeking to file the suit must file the action within one … Read more
A Washington, D.C. domestic relations case that is set for trial generally follow the schedule shown in the infograph above. There may also be some additional steps to the trial process if there are any motions filed that require hearings on those motions. Superior Court Judges will often suggest to parties that they attempt … Read more
When considering a divorce clients frequently want to know how a divorce will impact their assets. The District of Columbia follows a process known as “equitable division” to distribute assets following a divorce. This does not mean that the property will be divided equally, but rather it will be divided in a manner that the presiding … Read more
When issuing a custody order in the District of Columbia judges are required to make findings on what the best interest of the child would be. The judges use a number of statutory factors to consider what is in the “best interest of the child”. The factors the judges consider are: the wishes of the … Read more
1. Document everything. Whether you suspect you will soon be involved in litigation or are currently involved in the litigation you can greatly help your case by documenting everything. That means telephone calls, emails, and documents you receive. Basically any and everything related to your case that could be important as evidence and documentation. You … Read more
The District of Columbia Safe and Stable Homes for Children and Youth Act allows third parties the opportunity to petition for custody of children. The Act also establishes the standards governing custody cases involving third parties. In order for a third party to have standing to sue for custody the parent who has been the … Read more
Years ago if you wanted to hire an attorney you either looked for a referral from someone you knew or looked in the local Yellow Pages. With the proliferation of attorneys in the market and attitudes towards attorney advertising changing the problems is not so much scarcity as it is who to trust among the … Read more
Uncontested divorces offer the chance to obtain your divorce in an expedited fashion as opposed to a contested divorce where the process is significantly longer. In order to be eligible to file for an uncontested divorce you and your spouse must have come to an agreement on all property, debt, spousal support, and child custody … Read more
