District of Columbia Family Laws

At least one spouse must have been a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before filing for divorce.

D.C. is a pure no-fault jurisdiction. A divorce may be granted when one or both spouses assert that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is no separation period required.

Marital property is divided equitably considering factors such as the duration of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, and each spouse's contributions. Separate property (owned before marriage, gifts, inheritances) is generally not divided.

Custody decisions are based on the best interest of the child. There is a rebuttable presumption that joint custody is in the child's best interest. The presumption can be rebutted by evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect, or parental kidnapping.

D.C. uses an income shares model that considers both parents' gross incomes. Shared physical custody is presumed when a child spends 35% or more time with each parent, which adjusts the support calculation.

Courts may award spousal support based on need and ability to pay, considering factors including the duration of the marriage, each spouse's financial resources, and the time necessary for the requesting spouse to gain sufficient education or training for employment.