If I have to go to Court, where can I file for divorce?
To file for divorce in Washington DC one party must be a resident in Washington DC. To prove this for purposes of a divorce, you must be physically living in Washington DC. How long you must have lived in Washington DC before filing a divorce complaint will depend on where the grounds for divorce occurred. If the grounds for divorce occurred in Washington DC, you need only be currently living in Washington DC at the time you file for divorce. Where the grounds for divorce occurred outside Washington DC, you or your spouse must have lived in Washington DC for at least six months before filing your divorce complaint.
If I have to go to Court, where can I file for financial support?
If the parties are residents of Washington DC, the person seeking financial support (called the Plaintiff) may file for child support or alimony in the county where the intended payor of support (called the Defendant) resides, carries on business, is employed or habitually engages in business.
Additionally, in a divorce matter, the person seeking financial support may request support in the county where the requesting party resides or, in a custody action, the requesting party may file for support in the county where either parent or child resides.
If the intended payor is not a Washington DC resident, the requesting party may seek support in Washington DC if:
- The Defendant is personally served with suit papers;
- The Plaintiff resides in Washington DC when the suit is filed; and
- Washington DC was either the matrimonial domicile of the parties immediately before their separation or the obligation to pay support arose under the laws of Washington DC or under an Agreement executed by one of the parties in Washington DC.
Have any questions about this topic, please call me 202-872-0400.