Divorce in District of Columbia
State-specific overview · Family Law
DC requires a 6-month waiting period after filing, with no fault grounds available unless both spouses consent.
How District of Columbia treats Divorce
DC allows divorce on no-fault grounds only if both spouses agree and wait 6 months after filing, or if one spouse files and waits 12 months. Fault grounds (adultery, cruelty, abandonment) exist but are rarely used since the no-fault waiting period is shorter. Property division follows equitable distribution principles, and DC courts divide marital property fairly but not necessarily equally. Spousal support and child support are determined based on income, custody arrangements, and other statutory factors.
The general definition of Divorce
The legal dissolution of a marriage, ending the spouses' rights and responsibilities to each other.
Divorce is the legal process by which a married couple ends their marriage. It involves a court officially terminating the marriage and typically requires decisions about property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support. The process can be contested, where the spouses disagree on terms, or uncontested, where they agree on the major issues. Once a divorce is finalized, both parties are free to remarry and are no longer legally responsible for each other.
Read the full Divorce entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in District of Columbia.