Carolyn Goodman

Attorney At Law

Filing for An Uncontested Divorce in DC

By Carolyn Goodman

What is an Uncontested Divorce in DC?

An Uncontested Divorce is one in which you and your spouse have resolved all issues in your marriage, for example, a division of your property, child support and custody or a parenting plan, division of retirement plans, etc. If you have worked out the various issues, it is important to have a written Agreement drafted that indicates how everything will be settled.  All potential issues, such as property ownership, debt division, tax issues, child support, and custody, etc. are then resolved prior to filing for divorce.

If you do not have a written Agreement, you may not be able to proceed with a simple uncontested divorce in DC.

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DC Divorce and DC Prenuptial Agreements

By Carolyn Goodman

Enjoy listening to a recent SiriusXM 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.

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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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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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Do I Need a Lawyer For A Separation Agreement?

By Carolyn Goodman

Is an attorney really necessary for a DC Separation Agreement?

Sometimes people call and tell me that they have been thinking about using an online service to prepare their DC Separation Agreement, and they want advice as to whether or not an attorney is really necessary.

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.

What should be included in a Separation Agreement in DC?

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.

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Why is it Important to Have a Separation Agreement Attorney?

By Carolyn Goodman

How a DC Separation Agreement Attorney Can Help You

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.

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How Do I File For Divorce in DC?

By Carolyn Goodman

Filing for divorce in DC is not a difficult process

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:

  • division of your marital property
  • custody of your children
  • child support
  • division of retirement benefits
  • division of debts, etc.

There is one other requirement that must be met before you can file for divorce in DC.

You must meet the residency requirement. This means that one of you must have been a continuous resident of DC for six months before you file for divorce.

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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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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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