If you are considering a divorce in Washington, DC, here are some key rules to keep in mind.

  • In order to file for divorce in the District of Columbia, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the federal district for 180 days. All active military members stationed in Washington DC are considered a residents as long as they have been stationed for at least six months.
  • The District of Columbia allows a divorce on either no-fault or fault grounds. For a no-fault divorce, it is required you must either have been voluntarily separated from your spouse for six months, or the couple must be living separate and apart without cohabitation for one year. Under the first option, the couple must have agreed to a separation. Under the second option, one partner can decide to separate without the other’s consent. “Living separate and apart” can mean living in the same house, as long as the spouses do not share a bed or food.
  • The District of Columbia follows the “equitable division” rule for dividing property. If the divorce goes to trial, a judge will divide property in a way he thinks is fair, even if it isn’t precisely equal. With a no-fault Flash Divorce, the couple gets to agree on how to divide their property.
  • The court will decide whether — and how much, and for how long — one spouse must pay the other in spousal support. If the divorcing couple can agree on alimony issues ahead of time, the court will generally accept that decision.
  • Courts in the District of Columbia are very concerned when a divorcing couple has minor children. They will arrange child custody and visiting arrangements based on each child’s best interest, with a preference for joint custody. Even after a divorce, both parents are required to support their minor children, and will assign child support duties based on each parent’s earning potential and time spent with the child. Although the court will have the final say, a no-fault Flash Divorce allows you to state your preferences about child custody and support issues. Unlike other divorce assistance companies, we never charge more when a divorcing family has children.