A divorce lawyer in Washington, D.C. will usually ask two questions in the first ten minutes: how long you’ve lived in the District, and how long you’ve been separated. At least one spouse must have lived in D.C. for six months before filing. And because the District grants divorce only on no-fault grounds, the case depends on separation: six months if both spouses agree to it, or one year if one spouse doesn’t. Couples can even count time spent separated under the same roof, as long as they haven’t shared a bed or a married life.
From there, D.C. divorces turn on a few local issues: equitable division of marital property, a legal presumption that joint custody serves children best, and, in a city full of government workers, the splitting of federal pensions and Thrift Savings Plan accounts. The five firms below were chosen for their family law focus, peer recognition, client feedback and verified office details.
1. Tucker PLLC
Tucker PLLC was formed by the lawyers who made up the Family Law Group at Feldesman Tucker, and together they bring more than 100 years of family law experience. Founding lawyer Marna Tucker has been licensed in D.C. since 1966.
The firm’s depth shows in its specialists. Jonathan Dana focuses on high-asset divorces and has been named a Washingtonian Top Lawyer every year since 2007; his clients include lobbyists, political professionals and executives. Marina Barannik, a fellow of both the American and International Academies of matrimonial and family lawyers, handles cross-border custody and property cases. Katherine O’Rourke previously tried cases for the D.C. Attorney General’s office.
- High-net-worth divorce, business valuation, international custody
- Mediation and collaborative divorce, with litigators ready for trial
Address: 1225 19th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 936-3636
2. Smollar Kuntz Locey, PLLC
Paul Smollar has practiced family law since 1969 and has served as president of the D.C. chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Best Lawyers named him its Collaborative Law “Lawyer of the Year” for Washington, D.C. three times, and he serves as a dispute-resolution facilitator in D.C. Superior Court’s ADR program.
His partners add unusual range. Christopher Locey clerked for three years at D.C. Superior Court and handles cases involving foreign law, including Islamic family law. Marcia Kuntz represents many LGBTQ+ clients and has taught family law at American University’s law school.
Best fit: couples who want to settle outside court but need lawyers who can litigate if talks fail.
Address: 1850 M Street NW, Suite 880, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 318-7155
3. Zamani & Associates PLLC
Sogand Zamani founded her firm in 2010 and handles both ends of family law: divorce and custody on one side, and family formation, including adoption and assisted reproduction, on the other. She has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2017 and among Super Lawyers’ Top 50 Women in D.C.
She also volunteers on a Domestic Relations Branch subcommittee for D.C. Superior Court, working on resources for families in court. Clients often mention her multi-state custody work and her use of junior associates to keep costs down.
- Custody, divorce, mediation, collaborative practice
- Licensed in D.C. and Maryland
Address: 2121 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 510-9112
4. Wendy H. Schwartz and Associates, PLLC
Wendy Schwartz opened her boutique in 2004 and practices in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, which helps when one spouse lives across a state line. She has more than 30 years in family law and has been appointed as an ADR facilitator in D.C. Superior Court family cases.
Her particular strength is custody and support cases involving mental health or substance use issues, where careful evidence and realistic parenting plans matter most. She is also a trained mediator and collaborative law practitioner.
Address: 818 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 315, Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 243-7800
5. Barkat Law Firm
Sheraz Barkat runs a family-law-only practice a few blocks from Farragut Square. The firm holds a perfect 5.0 Google rating across more than 40 reviews, with clients often praising its handling of custody disputes.
- Divorce, custody, child support and mediation
- Personalized strategy for each case, with an emphasis on lowering conflict
- A good fit for parents whose main concern is the parenting schedule
Address: 2001 L Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 276-1167
Money Issues That Are Unusually Common in D.C. Divorces
- Federal pensions. Dividing a FERS or CSRS pension requires a court order the Office of Personnel Management will accept. Poor wording can delay payments for months.
- Thrift Savings Plan. TSP accounts need their own retirement benefits court order, separate from the divorce decree.
- Military retirement. Service members’ pensions go through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, which has its own rules.
- Separate property. Gifts and inheritances usually stay with the spouse who received them, but mixing them into joint accounts can blur that line.
Ask any lawyer you interview how many federal-pension divisions they’ve handled. In this city, it’s a fair test of local experience.
FAQs
Q1. How long do you have to live in D.C. to file for divorce?
A: At least one spouse must have lived in the District for six months before filing.
Q2. What are the grounds for divorce in Washington, D.C.?
A: D.C. is a no-fault jurisdiction. You need six months of mutual voluntary separation or one year of living apart.
Q3. Can we be separated while living in the same house?
A: Yes, if you don’t share a bed or live as a married couple. Your lawyer will help you document it.
Q4. Does D.C. favor joint custody?
A: D.C. law presumes joint custody is in the child’s best interest, unless there’s evidence such as family violence or abuse.
Q5. Is D.C. a community property jurisdiction?
A: No. Marital property is divided equitably, which means fairly but not always equally.
