District of Columbia Divorce Property Division
What the Law Says
District of Columbia courts divide marital property under an equitable distribution standard — the judge decides what's fair, which may or may not be 50/50. The statute lists specific factors the court must weigh.
The District of Columbia divides marital property equitably on divorce, considering all relevant circumstances including each party's contribution and financial situation.
Statutory Factors (D.C. Code §16-910)
District of Columbia courts are required to consider:
- Duration of the marriage
- Income and liabilities of each spouse
- Contributions to the marriage including homemaking
- Future earning capacity
- Tax consequences
- Waste or dissipation of marital assets
- Custodial needs
- Any other factors for fairness
Common Questions
District of Columbia: community property or equitable distribution?
Equitable distribution. Under D.C. Code §16-910, the court divides marital property based on 8 statutory factors. The default starting point is 50/50, but judges can adjust.
What factors does a District of Columbia court weigh?
D.C. Code §16-910 lists 8 factors. The first three: Duration of the marriage, Income and liabilities of each spouse, Contributions to the marriage including homemaking. The full list is above.
Does District of Columbia split retirement accounts in a divorce?
Yes. 401(k)s and pensions earned during the marriage are marital property. Dividing them usually requires a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order).
ClearSplit runs District of Columbia's equitable distribution rules on your actual assets and debts.
Try the CalculatorSource: D.C. Code §16-910 AI draft · Full law library entry