Best Washington DC Divorce Lawyers

Divorce in DC means navigating property division, custody arrangements, and court filings—often while managing work and family stress. The wrong attorney can drag out your case for months. The right one gets you through faster and protects what matters most.

The lawyers below handle contested and uncontested divorces across Washington DC. Some focus on high-asset cases. Others specialize in custody disputes or military divorce. A few offer sliding-scale rates or flat fees.

List of the Top Family and Divorce Attorneys in Washington, DC

Screenshot of the Carolyn Goodman, Attorney at Law Website
2000 P St NW #500, Washington, DC 20036, USA

Carolyn Goodman is a Washington DC divorce lawyer near Dupont Circle who handles family law cases with a focus on negotiated settlements. Her goal is to keep clients out of court whenever possible. She drafts detailed separation agreements, parenting plans, and prenuptial contracts that address all issues upfront.

Goodman handles contested and uncontested divorces, child custody disputes, spousal support, and property division. She personally manages every aspect of each case rather than delegating to associates. Clients who want control over their outcomes often prefer her approach—negotiated settlements let you make the decisions instead of leaving them to a judge.

Her office serves clients throughout the District. Initial consultations are available by appointment.

Screenshot of the Lopez Law Firm PLLC Website
1200 18th St NW #700, Washington, DC 20036, USA

Lopez Law Firm is a DC family law practice led by attorney Carlos Lopez. The firm handles divorce, child custody, alimony, and civil protection orders. Lopez has supported clients through lengthy custody battles lasting two years or more. He also represents victims of domestic violence seeking protective orders.

The team speaks Spanish and English fluently. They offer case evaluations at no initial cost. Beyond family matters, Lopez Law Firm takes on workers' compensation and personal injury claims. Their 18th Street NW office sits in downtown Washington.

Clients describe Lopez as a lawyer who asks the right questions in court and keeps them prepared for each hearing.

Screenshot of the The Law Offices of David Stein Website
601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20004, USA

The Law Offices of David Stein is a litigation practice in Washington DC that handles both family law and criminal defense. Attorney Stein takes divorce cases involving contested custody, property division, and alimony disputes. He also represents clients facing DUI charges, drug crimes, and assault allegations.

Stein's dual focus gives him courtroom experience that pure family law attorneys may lack. He approaches cases with unconventional strategies designed to catch opponents off guard. The firm serves clients in DC and Maryland.

His Pennsylvania Avenue office offers no-cost initial consultations. Stein handles divorces, child support modifications, prenuptial agreements, and civil protection orders.

Screenshot of the Barkat Law Firm Website
2001 L St NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, USA

Barkat Law Firm is a Washington DC divorce practice led by Sheraz Barkat. He handles high-net-worth cases, federal employee divorces, and military divorce matters. Barkat offers flat-fee options for certain services alongside hourly billing.

The firm provides complimentary case evaluations. Clients praise Barkat's quick turnaround on documents and his ability to keep emotional situations focused on legal realities. He handles contested custody, child support modifications, and prenuptial agreements throughout the District.

Screenshot of the Law Offices of Carmiece Graves, PLLC Website
9701 Apollo Dr Suite 231, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, USA

Carmiece Graves Law in Upper Marlboro focuses on men's divorce and fathers' rights cases throughout Maryland. The firm handles contested divorces, parental alienation disputes, paternity matters, and custody modifications.

Attorney Graves also takes protective order cases and domestic violence matters. Her practice covers Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and surrounding areas. The firm offers estate planning services, including wills and trusts.

Screenshot of the Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C. Website
1201 Seven Locks Rd Suite 360-7A, Potomac, MD 20854, USA

Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield is a Potomac-based divorce firm serving Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Multiple attorneys at the firm have earned Super Lawyers recognition. They handle contested divorces, custody disputes, domestic violence cases, and same-sex marriage dissolutions.

The firm offers mediation and collaborative divorce options alongside traditional litigation. Their team includes attorneys with decades of combined experience in complex family matters.

Screenshot of the Law Offices of Jeffrey N. Markowicz Website
1 Liberty St Suite 2327, New York, NY 10006, USA

Jeffrey Markowicz has practiced family law since 2000 with offices in Washington DC and New York City. He takes divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases across DC, Maryland, and New York. Markowicz also serves as a parental coordinator and mediator.

His firm handles prenuptial agreements, child support disputes, and custody modifications. Clients receive his personal cell phone number for direct communication.

Screenshot of the Zamani & Associates PLLC Website
2121 K St NW #900, Washington, DC 20037, USA

Zamani & Associates handles divorce and family formation matters from their K Street office in downtown DC. The firm takes adoption cases, surrogacy agreements, and international Hague abduction matters alongside standard divorces.

Attorneys at the firm have earned Washingtonian Top Lawyers recognition and Super Lawyers designation. They offer case evaluations at no initial charge. The practice serves clients pursuing paths to parenthood through assisted reproduction.

Screenshot of the M.C. Thomas & Associates, PC Website
8403 Colesville Rd Suite 370, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA

M.C. Thomas & Associates serves high-profile clients, including politicians, professional athletes, physicians, and executives. Founder Michelle Thomas has appeared on Fox 5, BBC, and Court TV discussing family law matters. She holds Super Lawyers recognition in both Maryland and DC.

The firm has offices in Silver Spring, Fairfax, and Washington DC. They handle complex asset division, custody battles, and high-net-worth divorces requiring discretion.

Screenshot of the Markham Law Firm Website
7960 Old Georgetown Rd #3b, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA

Markham Law Firm practices family law in Maryland and Washington DC. Managing Principal Jessica Markham founded the firm in 2015 with a focus on reducing stress and preserving client funds. The team now includes multiple principals handling divorce, custody, and mediation.

Bethesda Magazine has named attorneys at the firm Top Divorce Attorneys. Their offices are located in Bethesda and DC.

Screenshot of the P. A. Davis Law Office LLC (Washington, D.C.) Website

P. A. Davis Law Office handles divorce and family law matters throughout DC and Maryland. The firm takes contested divorces, custody disputes, and prenuptial agreements. They also serve business clients with contract and negotiation work.

Screenshot of the Ain & Bank, P.C. Website
1300 19th St NW #300, Washington, DC 20036, USA

Ain & Bank has practiced family law in Washington DC for over 30 years. The firm handles complex divorces involving businesses, substantial assets, and intricate property interests. They also take adoption and domestic violence cases.

Screenshot of the District Family Law Website
1717 K St NW NW, #900, Washington, DC 20006, USA

District Family Law offers divorce representation, mediation, and arbitration services in DC and Maryland. The firm provides sliding-scale rates for eligible clients seeking neutral dispute resolution.

Screenshot of the The Law Office of Michael A. Troy PLLC Website
7237 Hanover Pkwy, Suite C, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA

Michael Troy is an AV-rated family law attorney who has practiced in DC and Maryland since 1998. He holds a Master of Laws from Georgetown. The firm handles divorce, custody, and prenuptial matters.

Screenshot of the Jessica E Adler Law Office Website
800 Connecticut Ave NW #300, Washington, DC 20006, USA

Jessica Adler is an AV-rated solo practitioner who has earned Super Lawyers recognition since 2016. She handles divorce, custody, and support cases personally across DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

Screenshot of the del Cuadro-Zimmerman, PLLC Website
1325 G Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005

Judith del Cuadro-Zimmerman runs a DC practice combining family law with elder law and estate planning. She handles divorce, custody, and probate matters with a focus on creative solutions.

Screenshot of the Daniels Legal Website
1250 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036, USA

Daniels Legal serves Washington DC and Southern Maryland with divorce, criminal defense, and personal injury representation. Founder Darryl Daniels offers consultations to discuss case goals and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the grounds for divorce in Washington DC?

DC recognizes these grounds for divorce:

  • Mutual separation - Living apart for 6 months with both parties agreeing
  • No-fault separation - Living apart for 1 year, regardless of mutual agreement
  • Legal separation - Court-approved agreement while living separately

How long does a divorce take in DC?

Timeline varies based on circumstances:

Type Typical Timeline
Uncontested 4-6 months after separation period
Contested 8-18 months
With children 12-24 months

How are assets divided in a DC divorce?

DC follows these principles for property division:

  • Marital property - Assets acquired during marriage are split fairly
  • Separate property - Items owned before marriage stay with original owner
  • Mixed property - Assets with both separate and marital portions require evaluation
  • Business assets - Professional practices and companies need proper valuation

What factors affect child custody decisions?

DC courts consider these key elements:

  • Child's relationship with each parent and siblings
  • Mental and physical health of all parties
  • Child's adjustment to home, school, and community
  • Each parent's ability to support the other's relationship with the child
  • Geographic proximity of parents' homes

Note: This information is a general educational guide only. Consult with a qualified divorce attorney for legal advice about your specific situation.