Family Law Washington, D.C

Experienced Family Law Representation in Washington, D.C.

Family law disputes affect much more than your legal rights. They can affect your children, finances, home, relationships, and plans for the future. When those issues become contested, having an experienced Washington, D.C. family law attorney can help you understand your options and make informed decisions about what comes next.

At The Law Offices of Jeffrey N. Markowicz, we represent individuals and families facing divorce, child custody disputes, child support matters, domestic violence issues, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, adoption and other family law concerns throughout Washington, D.C.

Attorney Jeffrey N. Markowicz has practiced law in the District of Columbia for more than two decades and has handled complex matrimonial and family law disputes involving negotiation, settlement, and litigation.

Whether your matter can be resolved cooperatively or requires a strong position in court, our goal is to protect your interests while helping you move forward with clarity.

Facing a family law issue in Washington, D.C.? Schedule a consultation with Jeffrey N. Markowicz.

Family Law Services in Washington, D.C.

Family law encompasses a wide range of legal matters involving spouses, parents, children and other family relationships. The Law Offices of Jeffrey N. Markowicz assists clients with divorce and matrimonial law, high-asset divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, property division, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, domestic violence matters, adoption and parental coordination.

Because these issues frequently overlap, a divorce may involve several important questions at the same time. Who will remain in the family home? How will parenting time be divided? How should property and debt be handled? Will one spouse receive alimony? What will happen to retirement assets, investments, or a closely held business?

Our approach starts with understanding the full picture before developing a strategy tailored to your priorities.

Washington, D.C. Divorce Attorney

Divorce can involve significant financial and personal consequences, particularly when spouses disagree over property, support or parenting arrangements.

D.C. divorce law changed significantly in 2024. A spouse no longer needs to satisfy the previous separation waiting period before seeking a divorce. Under current District of Columbia law, a divorce may be granted when one or both spouses assert that they no longer wish to remain married.

D.C. still generally requires residency. At least one spouse typically must have been a bona fide resident of the District for at least six months before filing.

Even when both spouses agree that the marriage should end, disagreements can arise over the terms of the divorce. Jeffrey Markowicz helps clients identify those issues early and develop a strategy designed to protect their financial and personal interests.

Learn more about our divorce and matrimonial law services.

High-Asset Divorce in Washington, D.C.

Divorces involving substantial assets can become considerably more complicated.

A high-asset divorce may involve real estate, investment accounts, retirement benefits, business ownership interests, professional practices, executive compensation, valuable personal property, trusts, inherited assets or property acquired before the marriage.

An asset’s title does not always determine how it will ultimately be treated in a divorce. D.C. courts distinguish between separate property and property or debt accumulated during the marriage and can equitably distribute marital assets after considering the circumstances of the case.

For individuals with significant financial interests, careful preparation can be critical. Financial records, ownership documents, account statements, business information and other evidence may all become relevant to determining the value and proper treatment of assets.

Our firm helps clients approach these matters with a clear understanding of both the immediate dispute and the potential long-term financial consequences of a settlement or court order.

Child Custody Lawyer in Washington, D.C.

Few family law issues are more important to a parent than determining where a child will live and how important decisions about the child’s life will be made.

D.C. courts make custody decisions based primarily on the best interests of the child. The court may consider factors including each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s adjustment to home and school, the parents’ ability to communicate, prior involvement in the child’s life, the location of each parent’s home, employment demands, and other circumstances affecting the child.

Custody arrangements can address both legal custody, which concerns decision-making authority, and physical custody, which concerns where a child lives and the parenting schedule.

Jeffrey Markowicz represents parents in matters involving contested custody, joint custody, parenting schedules, visitation, relocation concerns, high-conflict parenting disputes and modifications of existing custody arrangements.

Whenever a practical negotiated solution is possible, resolving custody without prolonged litigation can give parents greater control over the outcome. When an agreement cannot adequately protect a parent’s rights or a child’s interests, we are prepared to pursue the matter through litigation.

Learn more about our child custody, visitation and support representation.

Child Support in Washington, D.C.

Child support is intended to help meet a child’s financial needs while allocating responsibility between the parents.

D.C. uses a Child Support Guideline that considers factors such as the parents’ incomes, health care expenses, child care costs, and the amount of time the child spends with each parent. Child support in the District commonly continues until age 21, although the circumstances of an individual case can affect the parties’ obligations.

Accurate financial information is especially important in child support proceedings. Disputes can arise over income, employment, self-employment earnings, bonuses, business income and other financial resources.

We represent parents seeking to establish, enforce or modify child support and help clients understand how proposed parenting arrangements may affect their financial obligations.

Alimony and Spousal Support

Alimony can become an important issue when spouses have substantially different incomes or earning capacities.

No single outcome applies to every D.C. divorce. Courts may consider factors including the duration of the marriage, the standard of living established during the marriage, each spouse’s income and resources, the requesting spouse’s ability to become self-supporting, the parties’ ages and health, financial obligations, and other relevant circumstances.

An alimony award may be limited in duration or, depending on the circumstances, indefinite.

Whether you may be requesting alimony or facing a claim for support, it is important to evaluate both the immediate financial impact and the potential long-term consequences before agreeing to a resolution.

Property and Debt Division in a D.C. Divorce

Property division is often one of the most complicated aspects of divorce.

D.C. follows an equitable distribution approach. That does not necessarily mean every marital asset and debt will simply be divided 50/50.

Property owned before marriage and certain property received through gifts, inheritance, bequests or similar means may be treated differently from property accumulated during the marriage. The court considers relevant circumstances when determining an equitable, just and reasonable distribution of marital property and debt.

Potential issues can involve the family home, investment properties, retirement accounts, pensions, businesses, brokerage accounts, vehicles, loans, credit card obligations and other assets or liabilities.

Identifying and properly documenting those assets can be particularly important in divorces involving significant or complicated finances.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

A thoughtfully drafted marital agreement can help couples define financial expectations before a dispute occurs.

A prenuptial agreement is entered into before marriage, while a postnuptial agreement is created after a couple is already married.

These agreements may be particularly useful when one or both spouses have substantial assets, own a business, expect an inheritance, have children from a previous relationship, or simply want greater certainty concerning their financial rights.

Jeffrey Markowicz helps clients evaluate, negotiate, and prepare marital agreements designed around their individual circumstances.

Learn more about prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

Domestic Violence and Family Law

Domestic violence allegations can have an immediate impact on personal safety as well as divorce and child custody proceedings.

When abuse or threats are involved, legal action may be needed quickly. Depending on the circumstances, protective orders and other court remedies may be available.

Domestic violence can also affect other family law issues. D.C. law specifically allows courts to consider a history of physical, emotional, or financial abuse in certain divorce-related determinations, and findings involving intrafamily offenses can significantly affect custody decisions.

If you are facing an immediate threat or emergency, call 911. For legal guidance concerning protective orders and related family law matters, contact our office.

Learn more about our domestic violence representation.

Why Choose Jeffrey Markowicz for a Washington, D.C. Family Law Matter?

Family law cases require more than knowing the statutes. They require an understanding of how legal, financial, and personal issues interact and how a decision made today can affect a client and their family years from now.

Jeffrey N. Markowicz has been licensed to practice in the District of Columbia since 2001. He earned his J.D. from Howard University School of Law and has substantial ties to the D.C. legal community.

Before entering private practice, Jeffrey served as a judicial intern in D.C. Superior Court for the Honorable Reggie Walton and also interned for the Honorable Gladys Kessler. He later served as a law clerk to the Honorable Zoe Bush in D.C. Superior Court.

His practice has included divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence, adoption and other matrimonial and family law disputes.

This combination of local experience, litigation background and direct client representation allows the firm to approach family law matters strategically while remaining focused on the individual circumstances behind each case.

Learn more about Jeffrey N. Markowicz.

Family Law Representation Near the D.C. Superior Court

The Washington office of The Law Offices of Jeffrey N. Markowicz is located at:

700 12th Street NW
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005

Family law matters in the District of Columbia are generally handled through the Family Court of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, including matters involving divorce, custody, visitation, child support, parentage, and adoption.

Our downtown Washington location provides convenient access for clients who live or work throughout the District.

Speak With a Washington, D.C. Family Law Attorney

The decisions made during a family law dispute can affect your finances, children, and future for years to come. You do not have to make those decisions without understanding your legal options.

At The Law Offices of Jeffrey N. Markowicz, we provide experienced representation to clients facing divorce, child custody, child support, property division and other family law matters throughout Washington, D.C.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your circumstances and your next steps.

The Law Offices of Jeffrey N. Markowicz
700 12th Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 972-2701

Contact Markowicz Law

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Washington, D.C.

What does a family law attorney in Washington, D.C. handle?

A Washington, D.C. family law attorney may represent clients in divorce, legal separation, child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, property division, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, domestic violence matters, adoption and other disputes involving family relationships.

Do you have to be separated before filing for divorce in Washington, D.C.?

No. D.C. eliminated its previous separation waiting period effective January 26, 2024. Under current law, divorce may be granted based on an assertion by one or both spouses that they no longer wish to remain married.

How long do I have to live in Washington, D.C. before filing for divorce?

Generally, either you or your spouse must have been a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia for at least six months immediately before the divorce action begins. Certain exceptions can apply.

Is Washington, D.C. a 50/50 property division jurisdiction?

Not necessarily. D.C. uses equitable distribution rather than requiring marital property to be divided equally in every case. The court distributes marital property and debt in a manner it determines is equitable, just and reasonable after considering relevant factors.

How does a D.C. court decide child custody?

The best interests of the child are the primary consideration. Courts may evaluate the child’s relationship with each parent, the child’s home and school environment, each parent’s involvement, the parents’ ability to communicate, employment schedules, geographic proximity and other relevant circumstances.

Does joint custody mean neither parent pays child support?

No. Joint custody does not automatically eliminate child support. D.C.’s Child Support Guideline considers income, parenting time and other factors when calculating support.

Can child custody or child support orders be changed?

Potentially. A custody order may be modified when the legal requirements for modification are satisfied, including a substantial and material change in circumstances and a determination that modification serves the child’s best interests. Child support orders may also be modified when qualifying changes in circumstances occur.

Do I need a lawyer for a family law case in Washington, D.C.?

Individuals can represent themselves, but family law matters can involve significant legal, financial and parenting consequences. An experienced family law attorney can evaluate your circumstances, explain your rights, negotiate on your behalf and represent you in court when necessary.