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Best Family Lawyers in Washington DC

Our Recommended Top 17

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Washington DC Family Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

372Reviewed

230Curated

17Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (18)

Why choose this provider?

Wilt & Kraft, PLLC, responds to the family law concerns of people in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas. Its team of experts brings advocacy to various legal disciplines, including employment and labor, corporate, and personal injury law. They give clients individualized attention while aggressively advocating for their rights. The legal professionals have more than 60 years of collective experience. Theresa Kraft, the firm's managing attorney, aims to resolve legal disputes by developing and implementing creative strategies.

  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Richard ToikkaActive36 yrs
Theresa Kraft - Managing AttorneyActive21 yrs

4601 Willard Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1972, Thyden Gross And Callahan LLP is a Chevy Chase law firm that represents individuals in family law matters in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The firm helps negotiate fair divorce settlements so that families can reach amicable agreements concerning custody, support, and asset division. Its attorneys act as representatives in collaborative divorces or review mediated settlements to protect clients' rights. The firm additionally handles cases involving personal injury claims, real estate, and estate planning.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
James Gross - Managing Partner / Co-FounderActive30 yrs

1717 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (10)
Avvo
5.0 (10)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Garner Law PLLC is a firm serving individuals, families, and businesses in Washington DC. It provides legal counsel and representation in issues surrounding domestic relations such as divorce, guardianship, premarital agreements, and child custody and visitation. Its team advocates for the rights and interests of clients in litigation, mediation, and negotiation proceedings. The firm's founder, Keisha Garner, previously worked in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Garner offers pro bono services through the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia.

  • Estate Planning
  • Adoption
  • Divorce

1717 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

District Family Law is a private firm that serves the residents of Washington DC and the surrounding areas. It assists clients with various family law matters through legal services such as high-conflict litigation, mediation, and appellate representation. It handles issues such as divorce, child custody and support, and civil protection orders. Principal attorney Rebekah Sullivan has been practicing law for over a decade. She is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, Family and Juvenile Section.

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody

110 N Washington St Ste 404, Rockville, MD 20850

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

With locations in Rockville and Frederick, BGS Law LLC offers its legal services to clients in both Maryland and Florida. Its family law practice handles various facets of the law, including: family, custody, support, alimony, domestic violence, guardianship, pre-nuptial agreements, separation agreements, mediation, and collaborative law. The firm also handles and drafts wills and trusts, probate, real estate, and civil litigation matters. Founder Bethany G. Shechtel is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bethany Shechtel - PrincipalActive10 yrs

7960 Old Georgetown Rd # 3B, Bethesda, MD 20814

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (13)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Markham Law Firm serves clients in the D.C. metro area who are navigating complex and often emotional transitions such as divorce, custody, child support, alimony, guardianship, pre and postnuptial agreements, division of property, retirement assets, and name changes. The Firm’s team of attorneys are known for litigating the most difficult custody cases in both Washington D.C. and Maryland; in particular, those involving relocation, alienation, mental health, and substance abuse issues. Markham Law Firm has received more honors and accolades from Washingtonian, Bethesda Magazine, the Daily Record, US News, and World Reports for their expertise in Family Law, contributions to the legal community, and dedication to client service than any other local firm.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jessica Markham - Managing PrincipalActive19 yrs
Jillian Morris - PrincipalActive16 yrs
Samantha Kravitz - PrincipalActive16 yrs

8403 Colesville Road Suite 1100, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (34)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Tina Sharma offers legal assistance to families in Washington, D.C. The firm helps clients throughout the legal proceedings of divorce. It represents clients in child custody, child support, and parenting time, establishing and modifying court orders. In addition, the firm oversees pre- and post-marriage agreements. Sharma has experience in taking on complex cases involving high-net-worth individuals. She aids in the valuation of corporations and businesses, commercial and residential properties, and off-shore accounts.

  • Divorce

1629 K Street, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (20)

Why choose this provider?

Serving Washington DC, Remus Enterprises Law Group deals with various family legal matters. It offers legal counsel and advocacy for families in divorce, adoption, child support, custody and visitation, and juvenile delinquency. It also handles personal injury, immigration, business law, and civil disputes. Solon Phillips is the founding attorney for the firm. He is licensed in DC, Alabama, and Washington State. He also worked for some of the largest law firms in the state.

  • Divorce

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Solon Phillips - PartnerActive5 yrs

11 N Washington St Ste 230, Rockville, MD 20850

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (172)
FindLaw
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Sandra Guzman-Salvado LLC is a law firm in Rockville that serves Anne Arundel, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George counties. It assists clients with property division, divorce, and alimony. Clients hire attorneys at the firm for help with child custody agreements, visitation agreements, and child support enforcement. The firm also helps victims of domestic violence with both peace orders and protective orders. Clients praise its responsiveness, efficiency, and professionalism.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sandra Guzman - PrincipalActive20 yrs

137 National Plaza, National Harbor, MD 20745

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (50)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

For 20 years, The Firm, LLC, has been representing clients in Washington D.C. It helps individuals in a broad range of family law issues, from divorce and annulment to child support and alimony. The firm has experience handling cases involving adoption. Its other area of practice is personal injury law, and it works to obtain compensation for victims of various accidents, including slip-and-fall cases and motor vehicle accidents. Michael Barrett, its founder, is a member of the Maryland Association for Justice.

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody

1100 N. Glebe Road Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22201

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.9 (42)
Google
4.4 (20)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Mullett Dove & Bradley Family Law, PLLC, provides legal representation for family law matters, whether clients are getting married, ending a marriage, or dealing with custody issues. Its team of three attorneys serves the Washington, D.C. area, offering traditional legal services and alternative dispute resolution. The firm is led by Jennifer Mullett, Laura Dove, and Jennifer Bradley, who have nearly 40 years of collective experience. The legal office also handles complex issues, such as interstate and international child custody disputes.

  • Divorce

2200 Wilson Blvd Ste 102, Arlington, VA 22201

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (224)
Avvo
4.9 (156)
Yelp
5.0 (89)

Why choose this provider?

Steven Krieger Law PLLC is a law office that provides family law services in Arlington and the greater Washington, D.C. metro area. Krieger has been practicing for over a decade and counsels clients in a broad range of delicate domestic matters, such as pre-nuptial agreements, annulments, contested and uncontested divorces, custody and visitation rights, child and spousal support, support modifications, and civil protection orders. He also serves as a guardian ad litem, protecting the rights and interests of children.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Steven Krieger - PrincipalActive11 yrs

110 N Washington St Ste 404, Rockville, MD 20850

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (16)
Google
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Shechtel and Associates PA is a law firm located in Rockville with almost 30 years of litigation experience. We assist clients in matters involving prenuptial agreements, divorce, separation, and all matters involving children, including parenting plans, custody, access and support agreements, enforcement of an existing Order, or the modification of an Agreement or Court Order. Clients also receive assistance with handling challenging matters, including Contempt, Parental Alienation, Parental Kidnapping, and domestic violence. Shechtel is approved as Child Counsel by the Maryland Judiciary Department of Family Administration. The firm also offers mediation services and helps with adoption and guardianship issues for both children and adults.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Stephen Shechtel - PrincipalActive32 yrs

7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1350, Bethesda, MD 20814

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (29)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Stacy B. Talbott, LLC, handles family law claims in Washington DC. Its primary attorney, Stacy Talbott, is a certified and court-approved family law mediator. She handles divorce, alimony, child support and custody, and property division cases, with the aim of tempering the emotional distress inherent to most family-related legal matters. Talbott also helps clients develop parenting plans and prepare prenuptial and separation agreements. Talbott, who has been serving the community for over 30 years, is a member of the executive committee of the Collaborative Divorce Association.

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody

717 D Street NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20004

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (10)
Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Ronald A. Colbert, Esq., in Washington DC represents families and individuals in family law cases. Colbert helps clients navigate the public and private adoption process. He also guides couples through the divorce process, from the division of marital property and settlement of marital debts to the establishment of spousal and child support orders. Clients can also avail themselves of Colbert's litigation services for child abuse or neglect and domestic violence cases.

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Adoption

2001 L Street NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (35)
Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Barkat Law Firm, PLLC, provides legal assistance for individuals located in the Washington, D.C., metro who are facing family disputes. The firm's attorney, Sheraz Barkat, walks clients through resolving various family issues, such as divorce, child custody, legal separation, and alimony. He also gives legal advice regarding divorce for federal employees, high-net-worth divorce, and military divorce. Barkat has been practicing law for four years and serves as a Divorce Mediation Training lecturer.

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody

1325 G Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20002

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (17)
Google
5.0 (14)
Avvo
4.7 (12)

Why choose this provider?

P.A. Davis Law Office offers counsel and representation in various aspects of family law. Serving the Washington, D.C. metro, the legal firm serves families and individuals dealing with domestic violence and child custody and support problems. It also deals with absolute, contested, and uncontested divorce cases and helps clients settle issues involving prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Founder Pawnee Davie is a member of the Association of Black Women Attorneys and the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association.

  • Divorce
  • Domestic Violence

Compare our Top Family Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Wilt Toikka Kraft LLP.
1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006
Thyden Gross and Callahan, LLP
4601 Willard Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Garner Law PLLC
1717 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006
District Family Law
1717 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006
Bgs Law, LLC
110 N Washington St Ste 404, Rockville, MD 20850
Markham Law Firm
7960 Old Georgetown Rd # 3B, Bethesda, MD 20814
Law Offices of Tina Sharma
8403 Colesville Road Suite 1100, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Remus Enterprises Law Group
1629 K Street, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006
The Law Offices of Sandra Guzman-Salvado, LLC
11 N Washington St Ste 230, Rockville, MD 20850
The Firm, LLC
137 National Plaza, National Harbor, MD 20745
Mullett Dove & Bradley Family Law, PLLC
1100 N. Glebe Road Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22201
Steven Krieger Law, PLLC
2200 Wilson Blvd Ste 102, Arlington, VA 22201
Shechtel and Associates, P.A.
110 N Washington St Ste 404, Rockville, MD 20850
Law Office of Stacy B. Talbott, LLC
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1350, Bethesda, MD 20814
Law Office of Ronald A. Colbert, Esq.
717 D Street NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20004
Barkat Law Firm PLLC
2001 L Street NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036
P. A. Davis Law Office
1325 G Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20002

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What kinds of cases do family lawyers handle?

    Family lawyers handle all types of family-related issues, including divorce, child support and spousal support, custody, adoption, paternity and guardianship. Family attorneys can also handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and divide marital assets based on the policies outlined in these documents. Domestic violence cases are also within the purview of family law attorneys.

  • Is family court different from district court?

    In most states, family court is a division of the district court rather than a separate court system. Family law judges primarily preside over family disputes, such as divorce and custody hearings. Most states require family law judges to receive special training on how to best address family law matters.

  • How long do custody cases last in family court?

    The duration of custody cases can differ based on the circumstances surrounding the claim. A case in which parents agree to split custody can be quick, while lawsuits in which both parents or guardians are fighting for full custody can take much longer. Most child custody cases last three to 10 days, but this can vary under more challenging circumstances.

  • Why is there no jury in family court?

    There are no juries in family court cases because the concept of innocence or guilt does not apply. While there may be some cases in which additional opinions could be helpful, most cases are based on the letter of the law versus individual circumstances. Some states, including Texas, permit jury trials for family court cases, but this is uncommon.

  • What are the most common cases in family court?

    Family law covers a variety of different cases pertaining to familial relations. The most common cases in family court include:

    • Divorce cases, including settling issues of alimony, property distribution, and child care
    • Child custody and the determination of paternity
    • Domestic violence protection orders
    • Name changes, including modifications due to adoption or personal preference
    • Guardianship, including who will handle the care of a child or adult should current caretakers be unable to do so
    • Adoptions and the termination of parental rights
    • Juvenile matters, including child abuse and neglect, foster placements, and criminal conduct
    • Emancipation, which is the process of declaring a minor as independent from their parents
    • Approval of underage marriages

  • Do family lawyers handle mediation?

    Mediation can be a valuable part of a divorce case, counseling spouses to work through areas of disagreement in a fair, calm, and unbiased manner. Most, but not all, family lawyers handle mediation. Anyone who believes they may need intervention services is encouraged to ask about an attorney’s experience with resolving disputes, to ensure that support is available if necessary.