Need a GREAT Divorce Attorney (NoVA)
May 14, 2012 9:59 AM   Subscribe

I need a recommendation for a GREAT divorce attorney in Northern Virginia. And by great, I mean: a strong advocate for me and my kids, a strong sense of fairness and the ability to go toe to toe with the ugliest attorney my spouse might dig up.

This will come as a big surprise to my spouse, and I do not know how they will respond. I want a fair and equitable settlement that takes care of the kids and puts us on equal footing in terms of parental access and financial stability. However, my spouse may decide to pursue a full scorched earth policy against me and use their attorney to gain undue advantage over me in court.

Unfortunately, my spouse works with attorneys as part of their job. They know dozens of Northern Virginia attorneys and firms, and I don't know any. I am very afraid they will use their advantage to impose draconian sanctions on me as part of the final divorce decree.
posted by anonymous to Human Relations (8 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Would you be okay (fee wise, etc) with an attorney from out of state?

I suggest that because of this:

Unfortunately, my spouse works with attorneys as part of their job. They know dozens of Northern Virginia attorneys and firms, and I don't know any. I am very afraid they will use their advantage to impose draconian sanctions on me as part of the final divorce decree.

I don't mean a far away state, but an area just out of your spouse's sphere of influence, yet close enough to still be familiar with your state's laws.
posted by Shouraku at 10:09 AM on May 14, 2012


I have a friend who practices family law in VA. MeMail me if you can and I'll send you his info. You may be hard pressed to get many folks to post their own experiences here too so you might want to send the mods an anonymous email address for people to recommend more stuff to you.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:10 AM on May 14, 2012


Consult with several of the best before filing. It will make it harder for your spouse to use them as they already consulted with you.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:25 AM on May 14, 2012 [8 favorites]


Mod note: From the OP:
throwaway email to contact hte poster or send advice: divorcequestionsthrowaway@gmail.com
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:38 AM on May 14, 2012


Marna Tucker of Feldesman Tucker in DC is supposed to be one of the best. Good luck.

http://www.feldesmantucker.com/
posted by Measured Out my Life in Coffeespoons at 10:58 AM on May 14, 2012


You cannot use an attorney who is not licensed to practice law in your state.
posted by insectosaurus at 11:46 AM on May 14, 2012


DC attorneys are often licensed in Virginia as well and some practice in Northern Virginia. That said, you want someone who is hooked into the local bar and courts, which most often means someone in your community.
posted by Cocodrillo at 11:53 AM on May 14, 2012


2nding DC lawyers are usually barred in other states first, because you can just waive into DC without taking the bar exam if you are barred elsewhere and have a sponsor. 90% of the attorneys will have out of state bars.

I took a look at the Feldesman Tucker website, they do seem like they know what they are doing, although I am not a divorce lawyer.

Don't skimp on this one. The right attorney will be able to make it less contentious and pound them if the other side isn't going for any sort of settlement.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:18 PM on May 14, 2012


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