Attorney At Law
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.
By Carolyn Goodman
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.
By Carolyn Goodman
The answer is…
By Carolyn Goodman
…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.
By Carolyn Goodman
I have received numerous calls from people who were married in DC and are in a same-sex marriage, but, neither party currently lives in DC.
By Carolyn Goodman
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.
By Carolyn Goodman
A common concern people have when contacting me is whether or not they will receive alimony, also referred to as spousal support.
By Carolyn Goodman
The answer is Yes.
You can file for divorce in DC as long as you have been OR your husband or wife has been a resident of DC for at least six months continuously prior to filing. Only one of you needs to be a resident of DC in order to file.
In addition, you must have been living separate and apart continuously for at least six months if you both agree to the divorce. Otherwise, you have to wait to file until you have been separated for one year.
By Carolyn Goodman
An uncontested divorce is one in which both you and your spouse agree to the divorce and there are no issues in dispute.
Does it matter if you or your spouse files for the divorce? The answer is no.
Either one of you may file, however, the person who files (the plaintiff) will have to attend a short hearing.
By Carolyn Goodman
Many people call and tell me that they will be inheriting money or other property and want to protect it in the event they get divorced.
Usually inherited money or property is considered separate property and is not divided if you separate and/or divorce.
However, many times a person who inherits money or property puts that money into a new home or other property bought during the marriage.
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.