Carolyn Goodman

Attorney At Law

Do I Need A DC Separation Agreement?

By Carolyn Goodman

You are not required to have a DC Separation Agreement. However, it is a good idea to have one if you have any issues that remain unresolved with your spouse.

What is a Separation Agreement?

A DC Separation Agreement sometimes called a Property Settlement Agreement or Marital Settlement Agreement is a written contract that protects you and helps make sure that your spouse lives up to his or her obligations that are outlined in the agreement.

An agreement will clearly spell out the benefits you are entitled to and the obligations you have.

What are the benefits of having a DC Separation Agreement?

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Ask a DC Divorce Lawyer: What Happens to the House in a Divorce?

By Carolyn Goodman

As a DC divorce lawyer, a common question people ask me during a divorce or separation is, “What will happen to my home?”

This can be a very emotional issue. The home may be associated with both pleasant memories and sad memories. There are several options to consider when it comes to the ownership of your Washington, DC home during divorce or separation, and it is very important to discuss the various possibilities with your DC divorce lawyer.

There is equity in your home as well as debt. Home equity is the difference between the market value of your home (what you could sell it for) and the amount you owe on your home (your mortgage, line of credit, home equity loan, etc.).

How an experienced DC divorce lawyer can help:

It is very important you know the options available to you. A qualified divorce lawyer will walk you through the options you should consider, such as: 

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What Information Is Helpful To Your DC Divorce Attorney?

By Carolyn Goodman

Preparing for Your Consultation: What Your DC Divorce Attorney Needs to Know

Your DC divorce attorney will need basic biographical information from you along with financial information.

It is important to gather as much financial information as possible including a list of all assets (i.e. property you own, bank accounts, stocks, retirement accounts, etc.) and all debts (i.e. credit cards, mortgages, bank loans, etc.).

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Taxes & Custody in DC: What You Need to Know

By Carolyn Goodman

How Does Custody in DC Impact the Dependency Exemption for Your Children?

It is common, particularly around tax time, to wonder who is entitled to claim the dependency exemption for your children on your income tax return.

Usually, your DC Separation Agreement or divorce decree will specify which parent is allowed to claim the deduction.

Sometimes a Separation Agreement may say that only one parent is able to claim it. Some people agree to alternate years. You can also agree to change your DC custody agreement depending on who gets the most benefit from the deduction.

But, you both must agree to change custody in DC.

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The Impact of Divorce In DC: Sale of Marital Homes Interview

By Carolyn Goodman

I was interviewed by the Washington Times regarding the sale of a marital home during a divorce in DC.

…Carolyn Goodman, a Dupont Circle attorney who specializes in divorce and family law, said drawing up a separation agreement is recommended so the couples know who is responsible for what, especially in the case where one spouse remains in the home until it is sold.

“One of the issues in a depressed market is that the house can sit on the market for quite a while,” Ms. Goodman said, adding that expenses to maintain the home can add up quickly.

She said the person in the home often is the one responsible for the repairs and upkeep. A separation agreement helps outline those responsibilities.

“I recommend a separation agreement to work out what’s going to happen and how you are going to divide a possible loss. It’s really important to have that information when it’s time to go to closing,” she said.

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Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreement Lawyer in DC

By Carolyn Goodman

Separating Property with a Washington, DC Prenuptial Agreement & Postnuptial Agreement Lawyer

Can we make an agreement that everything that we own separately will remain our separate property?

The answer is Yes. In DC postnuptial agreements and prenuptial agreements, many people base the division of property on how property is titled. Your prenup or postnuptial agreement lawyer in DC can walk you through the best property division option for you.

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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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