Attorney At Law
By Carolyn Goodman
I am asked often by potential clients whether they should file in the court immediately rather than try to settle separation and divorce issues out of court. In other words:
TO FILE OR NOT TO FILE: THAT IS THE QUESTION!
It is always best if you can reach a settlement related to the issues arising out of your marriage. Filing a court case before you have attempted to settle the issues out of court is more expensive, time-consuming, and a more emotionally difficult path to reaching a resolution.
By Carolyn Goodman
I am contacted often and asked how to file for an Uncontested Divorce in DC. It is important to first decide whether your divorce is truly uncontested.
Even though you and your spouse may be friendly and everything is amicable, if you have any assets that accumulated during your marriage, even if you have kept most or all of your finances separately titled, you may still need to have a Separation and Property Settlement Agreement (Marital Settlement Agreement) to be sure you are protected in the future.
By Carolyn Goodman
Enjoy listening to a recent radio interview in which I speak about a variety of family law issues such as DC Divorce and DC Prenuptial Agreements.
I touch on topics such as DC Uncontested Divorce, DC Contested Divorce, DC Prenuptial Agreements, and an assortment of other issues, including information about documents to have in place before you marry. There is also a discussion about negotiating settlements rather than spending a great deal of family funds on going to court where you may lose control of the outcome of your situation.
There is also a discussion about having a Prenuptial Agreement in place so you can work out how you will deal with your family finances once you are married. In addition, the interviewer suggested that it is best to speak with a family lawyer/divorce attorney so you know what your rights are and what documents you should have.
By Carolyn Goodman
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 attorney 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.
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.