Washington, D.C. Area Family Law Attorneys

When trouble touches your family life, it may be difficult to know where you can turn for help. These are more than just legal issues; they are deeply personal and often impact your financial well-being.

The Washington, DC based family law attorneys at Gowen Silva & Winograd PLLC understand that when you need help with divorce, child custody or visitation, child or spousal support, adoption, or other legal issues, you need someone that will stand by your side, advocate for your rights, and guide you as you make life-altering decisions. We work with clients throughout the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia area.

Offering Customized Family Law Solutions

There are a lot of emotional and financial risks tied to family law matters. Every situation is unique, requiring a carefully crafted solution. Our firm is composed of experienced attorneys and staff that work tirelessly to pursue the best outcome for every client we represent.

The attorneys at Gowen Silva & Winograd PLLC have successfully represented clients throughout the metro area in diverse family law cases, including:

Divorce

A divorce proceeding can be an extremely upsetting and draining process. Clients, in many situations, wish to “divorce” themselves from the proceedings and have a lawyer handle the case while achieving the same outcome. To do this, you’ll need a lawyer you can trust fully.

Our divorce attorneys make sure that each client is protected and receives what is due to them under the law. One of our aims is to take this burden off of your shoulders so that you can focus on managing your family and rebuilding your life.

Child Custody and Visitation

If children are involved in a divorce, it’s vital that their needs be given special attention during this process. Most jurisdictions use a standard that looks at the best interests of the child, and we can help execute a plan that protects your rights and your children.

Our attorneys have attained successful results for parents who are concerned about their children, and we have experience dealing with unique situations such as relocation and international custody issues. We will assist you in making sure you have enough time, ability, and legal rights to properly care for your children.

Child Support

All parents must financially support their children until the age of majority, but conflicts arise in just how much or how little is appropriate for that obligation. Child support guidelines in every jurisdiction can be particularly complex, and this is not something you want to handle alone.

Our Washington DC child support attorneys provide experienced and cost-effective legal advocacy for child support matters. We can help with establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support agreements as well as opposing motions from an ex-spouse that would not be in your child’s best interests.

Spousal Support

During and after a divorce, the payment of support from one spouse to another may be necessary. Often referred to as alimony, this support is meant to help one spouse make ends meet financially when the marriage ends.

Spousal support is not automatic. The party that needs the support must request it, and the courts consider a variety of factors when awarding alimony. If you think that spousal support will be part of your divorce, it’s important to seek the advice of an experienced family law attorney.

Gowen Silva & Winograd PLLC attorneys are strong supporters of equality and believe that children need a home with loving parents, regardless of the parents’ sexuality. Our firm supports the LGBTQ community and will work closely with families of all types trying to adopt a child.

Prenuptial Agreements

Engaged couples rarely think of a future divorce, but it happens, and a prenuptial agreement is a necessary tool for protecting pre-existing assets. This legal document doesn’t need to affect the love you have for your partner, and our family law attorneys strive to make the process as harmless and straightforward as possible.

Even after tying the knot, a postnuptial agreement can help protect the assets of a spouse, should the need arise. And if you and your spouse decide to divorce, our attorneys will work with you to draft a settlement agreement that fully adheres to your prior agreements.

Negotiation vs. Litigation

Litigating your family case is always an option, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. There are a variety of creative solutions available to resolve domestic legal issues. Some couples are able to negotiate agreements without hostility or adversarial proceedings. During the divorce process, couples can collaborate on settlement agreements that outline the responsibilities and rights of each party regarding childcare, finances, and more.

Couples can also agree to mediate their case, which is a voluntary process involving a third party, with the goal of coming to resolutions on issues such as divorce, custody/visitation, and child support. Other collaborative options may be available, which can be explained by your family law attorney.

When matters are just too contentious, or these collaborative efforts break down, litigation becomes necessary. The family law courts in your jurisdiction will create a legally binding order which must be followed by all parties. Whether you negotiate or litigate your family law matter, you need a skilled and experienced attorney to represent your rights and financial interests.

Serving Family Law Clients in Washington D.C. and the Metropolitan Area

Family law concerns can lead to unimaginable doubt, stress, and financial strain. You can gain peace of mind by having the right legal team in your corner. At Gowen Silva & Winograd PLLC, we give each of our family law clients the personalized attention they need and deserve.

Not only do you need an experienced negotiator and litigator, but also one that handles family law matters in the local jurisdiction where you reside. Our firm is based in Washington DC and serves clients throughout the nation’s capital as well as in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Contact us today at 202-408-5400 or reach out to us online to schedule an initial consultation.