Attorney At Law
By Carolyn Goodman
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.
By Carolyn Goodman
Usually, people think about this option because they are hoping to save money.
While there is no legal requirement that you have a lawyer, it is important to consider that when you sign an Agreement you are legally binding yourself to the terms.
It is extremely important to understand the issues that should be included in a Separation Agreement and to understand exactly what you are agreeing to.
It is very difficult to use a generic Agreement without understanding all the issues that must be resolved when you end your marriage.
By Carolyn Goodman
I receive calls from people asking if they can get an Annulment, often because they have not been married very long. They want to know what’s the difference between annulment and divorce.
Annulments in DC are very uncommon. A marriage Annulment is a ruling from the court that your marriage was not valid.
By Carolyn Goodman
I receive many calls from potential clients who tell me they are ready to file for an Uncontested Divorce.
When I ask some basic questions regarding property and retirement accounts, sometimes it becomes clear that it would be best to prepare a Separation Agreement so that all potential issues, such as property ownership, debt division, tax issues, child support, custody, etc. are resolved before you file for divorce.
It is also a very good idea to have a Separation Agreement and a qualified Separation Agreement Attorney in DC, even if you are separating and are unsure if you will file for divorce. You need to be protected so that you are not arguing over every issue that may arise. An Agreement will resolve the issues so you can move on with your life without constant disagreements.
By Carolyn Goodman
However, before you can file for divorce in DC, you must be sure that all of the issues between you and your spouse are settled. Otherwise, you will have to file for divorce and go through the process as if the divorce is contested. This process is longer and more expensive than filing for an Uncontested Divorce in DC.
Once you have settled all the outstanding issues with your spouse through a Separation Agreement, such as:
First, you must meet the residency requirement. This says that one of you must have been a continuous resident of DC for six months before you file for divorce.
By Carolyn Goodman
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.
By Carolyn Goodman
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.).
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:
By Carolyn Goodman
A Marital Separation Agreement or a Property Settlement Agreement is a written contract between you and your spouse.
By Carolyn Goodman
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.).
By Carolyn Goodman
When you divorce, the property and the debt must be divided. This does not mean that it is divided equally. In DC, an equitable division is made.
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.