Washington, D.C. Divorce Lawyer

Trusted divorce attorneys with decades of experience.

The District of Columbia governs divorce under its own statutes, its own procedural framework, and through judges who sit in the Family Court of the D.C. Superior Court. Property is classified and distributed under D.C.’s equitable distribution rules. Custody disputes are resolved by applying D.C. best interest factors. Alimony is evaluated against nine statutory criteria that, as of January 2024, include the history of physical, emotional, or financial abuse between the parties. None of this follows Maryland or Virginia law, even though the jurisdictions share a border and many of the same families. Our Washington, D.C. divorce lawyer has handled contested and complex divorce cases in D.C. for decades. Contact Fait & DiLima Family Law to schedule a consultation.

Divorce Lawyer Washington, D.C.

A divorce attorney in Washington, D.C. handles every component of the dissolution: property classification and division, spousal support, child custody and access, child support, and temporary relief while the case is pending. The Family Court’s Domestic Relations Branch manages these proceedings, and its judges expect thorough preparation and full financial transparency from both sides.

Types of Divorce Cases We Handle in Washington, D.C.

Fait & DiLima Family Law represents clients in D.C. divorce proceedings across all levels of financial and interpersonal complexity. Some cases settle within months through negotiated agreements. Others require a year or more of discovery, motions practice, and trial preparation. We build every case with the possibility of trial in mind, even when resolution through negotiation is the goal.

• Contested divorce. When spouses disagree about property division, custody, support, or any combination of these issues, the case moves through a structured litigation process. We prepare contested cases for the courtroom from day one, while pursuing settlement when the terms are favorable.
• Complex divorce. Business ownership, investment portfolios with multiple asset classes, executive compensation packages, and real estate in more than one jurisdiction all demand financial analysis beyond standard discovery. We coordinate with forensic accountants and business valuation professionals to produce defensible numbers.
• High net worth divorce. When a marital estate involves millions of dollars in assets, every classification decision carries outsized consequences. Retirement accounts, stock options, deferred compensation, trust interests, and hidden assets all require precise identification, valuation, and division.
• Child custody. Parents who cannot reach an agreement on physical or legal custody face a separate evidentiary proceeding within the divorce. D.C. courts apply best interest factors to determine custody arrangements and parenting schedules, and those determinations directly affect child support obligations.
• Alimony. The court weighs nine statutory factors, and the 2024 amendment added the history of abuse as a consideration. We handle cases involving both the pursuit and the defense of alimony claims.
• Uncontested divorce. When both parties agree on every issue, the case proceeds on a streamlined path. We draft and review settlement agreements, confirm enforceability under D.C. law, and manage the filing through the Domestic Relations Branch.
• Divorce involving domestic violence. Abuse alters the calculus of every issue in a divorce. It affects custody determinations, may justify immediate protective orders, and can influence both property distribution and support. We represent survivors whose physical safety must be addressed in parallel with the dissolution itself.

Why Choose Fait & DiLima Family Law for Divorce in Washington, D.C.?

Financial Depth in Complex Divorce Cases

Washington, D.C. divorces frequently involve federal employees, government contractors, military personnel, and professionals whose compensation structures include pensions, Thrift Savings Plans, deferred bonuses, and benefits tied to agencies and institutions headquartered in the District. These cases require an attorney who can navigate financial complexity as effectively as legal complexity.

Marjorie G. DiLima, Managing Partner of Fait & DiLima Family Law, earned both a J.D. and M.B.A. with honors in 1994, then completed a Masters in Taxation at Georgetown University Law. That education gives her the ability to read financial statements, evaluate settlement proposals for their after-tax consequences, and challenge opposing valuations on cross-examination. Marjorie is admitted to the U.S. District Court, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, and the U.S. Tax Court.

She is certified in mediation and collaborative law, providing an alternative process when both parties are willing to negotiate constructively. In certain cases, she also serves as a Best Interest Attorney for the children, a role that gives her direct insight into how D.C. and Maryland courts evaluate custody when conflict is high. Her focus areas include cases where substance abuse disrupts family stability and cases involving narcissistic or high-conflict personalities.

Recognized Credentials

Super Lawyers has recognized Marjorie for 10 consecutive years. Best Lawyers named her in 2023 and 2024. U.S. News & World Report included the firm in its “Best Law Firms” rankings in 2021, 2023, and 2024. Marjorie was named a Bethesda Magazine Top Attorney for 2025 and holds a lifetime position in the American Inns of Court. She has also received multiple recognitions from the Maryland Bar for her dedication to legal service delivery.

The firm’s appellate practice further distinguishes its approach. Marjorie has argued cases before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, and that appellate work shapes how we construct trial records in contested divorce cases. The firm has earned consistently favorable outcomes in contested custody, property division, and support matters.

Divorce Case Overview

Grounds for Divorce, Property Division, and Alimony in Washington, D.C.

D.C.’s divorce framework underwent a material change in January 2024 that anyone filing or responding to a divorce in the District needs to understand. The prior system required separation periods. The current one does not.

• Grounds for divorce: Under D.C. Code §16-904, a divorce may be granted upon the assertion by one or both parties that they no longer wish to remain married. That language replaced prior provisions requiring mutual voluntary separation for six months or a one-year living-apart period.
• Residency: Under §16-902, at least one spouse must have been a bona fide D.C. resident for six months before filing.
• Equitable distribution: §16-910 directs the court to assign each party their separate property, then distribute all property accumulated during the marriage in a manner that is equitable, just, and reasonable. The court considers the duration of the marriage, contributions of each party, economic circumstances, and, since 2024, the history of abuse.
• Alimony: Under §16-913, the court may award alimony if it deems it just and proper. Awards can be indefinite or structured with a defined term. The court weighs nine factors, including income, marital standard of living, duration of the marriage, age and health, and the paying party’s ability to meet their own needs while paying support.
• Pendente lite relief: The court may order temporary alimony, exclusive use of the family home, and interim custody arrangements while the case is pending.

Important Aspects in Your D.C. Divorce Case

Several features of D.C. divorce law distinguish it from neighboring jurisdictions. Knowing these differences early prevents costly strategic errors.

Financial disclosure is mandatory and, in contested cases, exhaustive. Both parties produce income documentation, asset inventories, debt schedules, and tax returns. Discovery may include subpoenas to banks and employers, depositions of financial advisors, and retention of forensic accountants. Courts impose sanctions for incomplete or dishonest disclosures, and judges in the Family Court take those obligations seriously.

• D.C. classifies property differently from Maryland. Property acquired during the marriage is subject to equitable distribution regardless of how title is held. Property obtained before the marriage or by gift, bequest, or inheritance is assigned to the owning party.
• The 2024 amendment added the history of physical, emotional, or financial abuse as a factor in both alimony and property distribution. That addition gives survivors an evidentiary basis to seek a larger share of the marital estate.
• Federal pensions, TSP accounts, and military retirement pay require specialized court orders to divide. Errors in drafting these orders can result in permanent loss of benefits.
• Couples who own property in both D.C. and Maryland sometimes face jurisdictional questions about which law applies to specific assets.
• Retirement accounts in D.C. divorce cases often involve FERS pensions, TSP balances, and military retirement credits that require specialized knowledge to divide properly.

Divorce Case Timeline in Washington, D.C.

The duration of a D.C. divorce depends on whether the case is contested, the volume of assets involved, and whether custody is disputed. Uncontested cases can be resolved in months. Contested cases with substantial financial complexity may take a year or longer.

• Filing: One party files a Complaint for Absolute Divorce with the D.C. Superior Court. The respondent has 20 days to file an answer after being served.
• Pendente lite motions: Either party can request temporary support, custody, or exclusive possession of the home. These motions are typically heard within 30 to 60 days.
• Discovery: Financial disclosures are exchanged. In complex cases, discovery extends to subpoenas, depositions, and engagement of valuation professionals. This phase ranges from three to eight months.
• Negotiation and mediation: The D.C. Superior Court’s Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division offers mediation services. Many cases settle during this phase, particularly when both parties prefer to control the outcome.
• Trial: If no agreement is reached, the court schedules a merits hearing. Expert reports are filed, exhibits organized, witnesses prepared. Complex contested divorces in D.C. can take 12 to 18 months or more from filing to final decree.
• Post-judgment: Asset transfers, pension division orders, and property conveyances are executed after the decree is entered.

What to Bring to Your Divorce Consultation

The first meeting with a divorce attorney in Washington, D.C. is about establishing a clear financial picture. Bring whatever documentation you have access to.

• Federal and state tax returns for the past three years
• Recent pay stubs and documentation of all income sources
• Statements for bank, brokerage, and retirement accounts
• Real estate deeds, mortgage documents, and property appraisals
• Any existing prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
• TSP statements, FERS pension estimates, or military retirement documentation, if applicable

Many clients walk in without financial records because their spouse managed the money. The purpose of the initial consultation is to assess your situation and identify the issues that will matter most, not to arrive with a complete set of financial records.

Washington, D.C. Legal Resources for Divorce

Several District agencies and court resources provide information for individuals navigating the divorce process in D.C.

• The D.C. Superior Court publishes filing instructions, required court forms, and procedural guidance for divorce and legal separation through the Family Court’s Domestic Relations Branch.
• The D.C. Code, Title 16, Chapter 9 contains the complete statutory text governing divorce, annulment, legal separation, property distribution, alimony, and child support in the District.
• The Family Court Self-Help Center in Room JM-570 of the Superior Court assists individuals with completing court forms and provides referrals to legal resources for those without representation.

Reach Out to Fait & DiLima Family Law to Schedule a Consultation

If you are facing a divorce in Washington, D.C., Fait & DiLima Family Law is prepared to represent your interests at every stage of the proceeding. We handle contested and complex divorce cases involving significant assets, custody disputes, and spousal support claims across the District. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and begin building a clear strategy for your D.C. divorce case.