Carolyn Goodman

Attorney At Law

DC Cohabitation Agreements

By Carolyn Goodman

Do I Need a DC Family Law Attorney for a Cohabitation Agreement?

Photo of DC Cohabitation Agreements

When you decide to live with someone, it is important to think about the issues that may come up if you decide to end your relationship. In the District of Columbia, when you live with someone, your relationship can become a common law marriage and you can be considered legally married, even if you do not intend to enter into a marriage.

An Experienced DC Family Law Attorney Can Help Protect Your Assets

A DC Cohabitation Agreement can specifically state that you do not intend that your relationship be considered a marriage with all the rights that go along with a marriage, such as support, etc. In addition, you may own property separately or purchase property together with your partner and if you decide that your living situation is not working out, this can lead to disputes that can be difficult and costly to settle.

A Cohabitation Agreement or a Living Together Agreement is a contract that sets guidelines for how your property will be divided if you separate. It defines your rights as a couple. It can also expressly state that you have no intention of marrying or if you decide to marry that you will sign a Prenuptial Agreement or just void your Cohabitation Agreement.   A Cohabitation Agreement can protect your separate property and income and can protect you from your partner’s debts.

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What Happens To Retirement In Divorce?

By Carolyn Goodman

A DC Divorce Lawyer Can Help You Protect Your Retirement in Divorce

My clients are often surprised when I tell them that their retirement assets may be considered marital property. If you accumulated the funds during your marriage, they may be divided as part of your divorce. However, you may have other marital assets to divide as well. All of your marital property will be taken into account when deciding how to deal with your retirement plans.

It is important to have a Divorce Lawyer in DC explain your options so you can make an educated decision about what is best in your situation.

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Divorce and Separation Agreements

By Carolyn Goodman

The Purpose of a Separation Agreement in DC

When you and your spouse make the decision to separate and/or divorce in DC, if you have children, their welfare is one of your major concerns.

If you choose to resolve things amicably, hopefully, this will lead to a negotiated DC Separation Agreement. You can tailor specific provisions in your Agreement to determine custody and separate access schedules so that both you and your spouse will have regular access/visitation time with your children.

Moving forward and getting beyond the difficulties and resentments between you and your spouse so you can focus on the best interests of your children can be very emotionally challenging.

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Divorce and Child Support in DC

By Carolyn Goodman

As part of many divorce cases, child support in DC is an issue of concern for many people.

DC Child Support Services include budget planning

I am asked often, “Will I be able to pay my own bills along with paying child support?”

In DC child support is determined by applying a child support guideline that takes a number of factors into account when determining the appropriate amount of child support that should be paid.

The guideline was designed so that both parents share the responsibility for the support of their child or children.

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Do I Need A Divorce Lawyer?

By Carolyn Goodman

As a Washington, DC divorce lawyer, a question I often hear is “Do I need a divorce lawyer?”

Even if you and your spouse agree on how to settle all the issues in your marriage, it is still very important that you be aware of all of your rights in order to protect yourself in the future.

It is best to have an attorney advise you as you negotiate a settlement with your spouse or have an experienced DC divorce lawyer negotiate a settlement on your behalf. It is in your best interest to have an attorney draft a Separation Agreement for you.

This will help you in the future because you will then be sure that all issues are taken care of and that nothing will crop up in the future that will cause disagreements between you and your spouse.

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DC Prenuptial Agreement and DC Postnuptial Agreement

By Carolyn Goodman

How Prenuptial Agreements Work in DC

Whether you call it a Prenuptial Agreement, a Prenup, or a Premarital Agreement, it is a contract between you and your future spouse that determines your financial rights and obligations if your marriage ends as a result of divorce or death.

Talking about a DC Prenuptial Agreement helps you and your partner openly discuss how you and your partner will handle your finances during your marriage.

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When Should You Get A Prenuptial Agreement in DC?

It is best to discuss these issues as far in advance of your wedding as possible. You do not want to talk about who pays for what and who will have ownership of which bank account when it is time to discuss the menu for your wedding day.

If you decide that it is too close to your wedding date to start the conversation about a Prenuptial Agreement, you can wait and agree to work on a Postnuptial Agreement. It is a similar document that is signed after you are married.

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How is Property Divided in a DC Divorce or Separation?

By Carolyn Goodman

A concern for anyone going through a separation or divorce is how the property, bank accounts, and other assets you have will be divided when you separate. The first step in the process is figuring out whether the property you have is marital property or separate property.

According to Washington, DC law, if it was accumulated during your marriage, it is marital property in DC.

Marital property in a DC divorce usually includes the assets and debts you acquire during your marriage — it does not matter how something is titled.

If it is a debt accumulated during the marriage, it will be considered marital debt. An example of marital property in DC that surprises many people is a retirement account that is separately titled. The portion of the retirement funds that accumulated during the marriage will be considered marital property.

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Same-Sex Divorce In DC

By Carolyn Goodman

What You Need to Know: Same-Sex Couple Divorce In DC

The procedure for a same-sex divorce in DC is the same as for any divorce in DC.  If there are any issues to be resolved such as division of property or other marital assets, custody, division of debts, etc., it is best to have a DC divorce lawyer draft a Marital Settlement Agreement to protect you.

You can file for a same-sex uncontested divorce in Washington, DC if you meet the following requirements:

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Legal Separation in DC

By Carolyn Goodman

Divorce vs. Legal Separation in DC

Many people ask me whether they need a Legal Separation. It is important to understand what a Legal Separation is before you decide if it is necessary.

The main difference between a Legal Separation and a Divorce is that when the proceeding is over, you will still be married to your spouse.

A Legal Separation is a court proceeding but it does not dissolve your marriage. Only a divorce ends your marriage and gives you the freedom to remarry. You are not free to remarry if you are legally separated.

In a Legal Separation proceeding in DC, the court may order spousal support, child support, and may divide marital property.

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Can I Do A Prenuptial Agreement Myself?

By Carolyn Goodman

It is best to understand what a DC Prenuptial Agreement is in order to see that it is best to have the advice of a family law attorney to assist you.

A Prenuptial Agreement is a contract between you and your future spouse that determines your financial rights and obligations if your marriage ends as a result of divorce or death. It is also a useful tool for creating a financial plan to use during your marriage.

You can make agreements regarding how to handle your finances during your marriage and create peace of mind for each of you so you can avoid disputes.

Every situation is unique and it is best to have an experienced DC family law attorney to help you through the process.

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Questions And Answers

Your current situation has probably generated many questions. Here are some short answers to questions you may have about Divorce, Separation Agreements, Property Division, Child Custody and more.

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