Divorce Lawyer Recommendation?

Hi, I need a recommendation for a good family law attorney nearby! Preferably with experience with the military! After 23 years: irreconcilable differences - mutual decision; custody of our children is not an issue (2 are in college!); basically comes down to the finances! $$$ Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

I would recommend Jennifer Wexton in Leesburg. I don't think that she has military experience but I know she is great at handling divorce cases. Her number is 703-777-6161.

http://rpmattorneys.com/wexton.htm

She is no stranger to the Loudoun Courts, either...

 

May I make a suggestion? Since the divorce is non-contested and you're at odds over splitting the assets only, the two of you should consult with a mediator first. The mediator does not have to have military experience to know that after twenty years of marriage with a military spouse, whether you were the active member or not, that there are entitlements such as benefits and retirement that carry forward for the non-active spouse (by law) Once you two have settled the finance issues, then and only then, consult an attorney to file the petition for divorce. You shouldn't require an attorney for anything else unless the divorce is contested, and you've stated that it is not. You will save $$$$$ (thousands literally) A mediator will charge less/hr than any attorney out there. But don't expect this advice from an attorney.

Secondly, if you consult a mediator, tell the mediator that you have an attorney. Some mediators will steer you to a law practice that may charge you a fortune, so beware.

This sounds like a fairly amicable parting of the ways so you shouldn't require an attorney to settle your finances only to do the filings with the court.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for your time & advice. I'm fully aware of the benefits of a Mediation, and believe me I would love to go that route, however the X2B is in Iraq until June 2008. We've been separated since April Fool's 2007 and I need to get the ball rolling before then. I feel I'm in a state of limbo, but I need to move forward for my own sanity. Ugh! Do you understand what I mean?

 

I don't think it matters - are you two battling over shared assets? If your husband has e-mail access he can be involved in the process.

 

Your best bet is to call the JAG at Ft Myer or Ft Belvior or Quantico ....etc...

Although they can not represent you in a divorce case, they can give you reccomendations of lawyers who are familiar with the military.

Good luck.

 

Hi broken skull (what a name... I hope its not really, but with the Purple Heart - wow.) Thanks, but do you really think they'd give the DW straight forward information? Aren't they going to look out after one of their own?
An Army Brat turned Navy Wife = 46 years, I know better! :]

 

Im pretty sure that they are required to give you straight info by law. I would ask them and research. There are a lot of military friendly lawyers in this area so it shouldnt be too hard to find a good one.

So I say give it a shot at JAG and check out everyone you can. Most lawyers do a free consult now a days anyhow.

 

I'd stay away from the JAG - may jeopardize your husbands career too. Family services offers confidential counseling - I would start there.

 

You know this how? That's not how it works. I'm not entirely sure that the JAG could help anyway. I'm pretty sure they only handle crimminal and military law for members of the military, not family law.

 

JAG would not handle the case. All they can do is reccomend civilian lawyers that know about the military system.