The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice

The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice

Family Law & Divorce Lawyer in Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.

The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice

The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice

Family Law & Divorce Lawyer in Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.

Firm Overview

Providing quality service for more than 20 years
At The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice, I offer you high-quality family law services at reasonable rates. You can count on receiving my personal attention to your case. I am dedicated to helping you through some of the most difficult experiences you will ever face, and showing you a path to a brighter future.

Family law in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
My practice focuses on all aspects of divorce, including:
Separation agreements
Division of property
Spousal support
Child custody
Child visitation
Child support
I also handle other family law matters including paternity, child custody outside of marriage, prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements.

Divorce lawyer for central Maryland, northern Virginia and the District of Columbia
My Bethesda office is easily accessible to residents from:
Montgomery County
Anne Arundel County
Frederick County
Prince George's County
Washington, D.C.
I also have a Fairfax office, convenient for people living in:
Virginia
Fairfax County
Arlington County
Loudoun County
Alexandria

Skilled representation in divorce and custody matters
I recognize that divorce and child custody disputes are traumatic experiences, and I approach these matters with compassion and clarity. When we work together to solve your family law problem, you can be certain that I will:
Listen closely to understand your unique circumstances
Give you an overview of the laws affecting your situation
Offer you options for resolving your problems, such as:
Direct negotiation with your spouse/former partner or their attorney
Mediation
Collaborative law
Litigation
Explain how the court system works if an amicable agreement cannot be reached
Identify your short-term and long-term goals
Form a strategy to help you achieve those goals as efficiently as possible
I am always in favor of a negotiated settlement because it is easier on you emotionally and financially. However, when your divorce or custody case is contested and cannot be peaceably resolved, I draw upon more than two decades of courtroom experience to advocate aggressively on your behalf.

Talk to an attorney who gives personal attention to your family law case
When your family is in turmoil, you need a lawyer with extensive knowledge of family law to give you candid and practical advice. I can meet your needs efficiently and cost-effectively. To make an appointment, contact me online or call me at 301.961.6464, ext. 3349.

Main Office

Main Office
4520 East West Highway, #700
Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone

301-961-6464

Divorce

Divorce Lawyer in Maryland

Separation and grounds for divorce in Maryland
You can file for a no-fault divorce in Maryland based on simply being separated from your spouse, or you can file based on marital fault grounds.

No-fault divorce
To file for a Maryland no-fault absolute divorce, you must have been separated from your spouse for one year, even if he/she does not want to get divorced.
To meet the state's definition of separation, you and your spouse must:
Not spend the night together under the same roof
Not have sexual intercourse
You cannot simply sleep in separate areas of your home or move apart and continue to have sexual relations. A Maryland no-fault separation must be absolute.

Fault grounds for divorce
Maryland law also allows you to file for divorce on the basis of:
Adultery immediately, with no waiting period required
Cruelty immediately, with no waiting period required
Excessively vicious conduct immediately, with no waiting period required
Desertion for one year
I help you determine how to clearly establish fault grounds for your Maryland divorce, if necessary.

Alimony
In Maryland, a court can award alimony while a divorce case is pending (which is called pendente lite alimony). At the divorce trial, a court can award alimony to a spouse for a specified period of time, which is called "rehabilitative alimony," in that such an award is supposed to provide financial assistance to a spouse until they can get the education and/or work training to become self-supporting. This is the preferred type of alimony in Maryland. However, a court can award what is called "indefinite alimony" to a spouse in Maryland if he/she is going to be unable to become self-supporting, or if, even after he/she has done everything possible to become self-supporting, the parties' respective standards of living will still be unconscionably disparate. Generally, alimony (whether rehabilitative or indefinite) terminates at the death of either party, or the remarriage of the recipient spouse. Alimony is almost always taxable to the recipient, and tax-deductible by the payor.
Marital property distribution
In Maryland, marital property continues to accumulate until the divorce is complete. Thus, any property that you acquire after separation may be subject to division with your spouse. Marital property is equitably divided (i.e., divided fairly), not necessarily equally divided. I work to protect your interests and help you receive your fair share of the marital property.

Child custody
Though the national trend favors joint legal and/or physical custody, at this point Maryland does not make this presumption. Legal custody deals with the issue of who gets to make the major decisions concerning your child's welfare, such as health-care and educational issues. Physical custody/visitation deal with where your child resides at any given time. If you believe it is in your child's best interests for you to have sole or joint legal and/or physical custody of your child, you need a lawyer who can stand up for your parental rights. I have the experience and skill to help you make a compelling case.

Child support
The Maryland child support guidelines may appear simple at first, and presumptively apply to parents with combined incomes of $180,000 per year or less. However, under the guidelines, the amount of child support is determined after consideration of each parent's gross income, along with consideration of any work-related childcare expenses, the costs of providing health insurance for your child(ren), and any unreimbursed extraordinary medical/dental expenses (e.g., braces). Additionally, the amount of overnights that each parent has with the child(ren) can also effect the amount of child support to be paid. For parents with combined incomes greater than $180,000 per year, the court has significant discretion in setting the amount of child support to be paid. Child support generally ends at age 18, unless the child is still in high school. In that case, the child support payments continue until the child graduates from high school or turns 19 years old, whichever occurs first. Finally, under certain circumstances, a parent can be ordered to contribute to private school expenses for a child if the child has a particular educational need to attend such a school.
Work with a lawyer who fully understands Maryland divorce law
When your marriage has come to an end, choose a lawyer who can negotiate a fair settlement or fight for your rights at trial. Contact me, Maryland divorce attorney Robert C. Eustice. I am here to see you through this crisis.

The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice
Robert Eustice

Divorce help in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.
I am Bob Eustice, a lawyer who has been dedicated to helping people solve family law problems for more than 20 years. I started out in civil business litigation, but quickly realized that I wanted to have a direct impact on people's lives during times of serious crisis. My family law practice has given me the opportunity to help people through their most difficult personal struggles.

Comprehensive knowledge of the law in three jurisdictions
I gained an in-depth understanding of family law throughout the Washington, D.C metropolitan area during my early years of practice. I worked at family law firms in Maryland and the District of Columbia. After working at a law firm that handled family law matters in all three local jurisdictions (Maryland, Virginia and D.C.), I opened my own family law practice in 2004.

Individual attention to your family law matter
When you work with me, you can be confident that I am involved with every aspect of your case. I do not hand you off to an associate. I have a paralegal to assist me with discovery requests, document production and completion of court-mandated financial statements. I also use local law clerks to perform research only as needed. This helps reduce my overhead and allows me to maintain extremely competitive hourly rates.

Work with a divorce attorney who gets to know you personally
I am here to ease your burden. Let me provide you with the skilled legal service you require. I return your phone calls promptly, and I check voicemail and email messages after hours and throughout the weekends. Contact me online or call me at 301.961.6464, ext. 3349.

Areas of practice
Family law
Divorce
Custody
Child support
Spousal support
Division of property
Paternity
Prenuptial agreements
Separation agreements
Postnuptial agreements
Domestic violence

Admitted
Maryland, 1993
Virginia, 1990
District of Columbia, 1989
Michigan, 1988

Education
University of Michigan
J.D., 1988
B.A., with high distinction, 1985

Bar memberships
Maryland State Bar Association
Virginia State Bar
District of Columbia Bar
Bar Association of Montgomery County
Fairfax County Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
American Bar Association

Honors
AV Preeminent Peer Review RatingSM from Martindale-Hubbell
Voted a Maryland Super Lawyer for 2012 in the Family Law area of practice

Professional speaking engagements
Seminars for fellow attorneys
"Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Washington, DC: Valuation, Tax and Other Issues"
"How to Help Your Client Proceed Through a Child Custody Evaluation in Virginia "
"Domestic Law in Maryland"
Seminars for the public
"Divorce Legal Seminar, Parts I and II," Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center, Rockville, MD
"Maryland Custody, Visitation and Child Support," Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity, Wheaton, MD

The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice
Robert Eustice

Divorce help in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.
I am Bob Eustice, a lawyer who has been dedicated to helping people solve family law problems for more than 20 years. I started out in civil business litigation, but quickly realized that I wanted to have a direct impact on people's lives during times of serious crisis. My family law practice has given me the opportunity to help people through their most difficult personal struggles.

Comprehensive knowledge of the law in three jurisdictions
I gained an in-depth understanding of family law throughout the Washington, D.C metropolitan area during my early years of practice. I worked at family law firms in Maryland and the District of Columbia. After working at a law firm that handled family law matters in all three local jurisdictions (Maryland, Virginia and D.C.), I opened my own family law practice in 2004.

Individual attention to your family law matter
When you work with me, you can be confident that I am involved with every aspect of your case. I do not hand you off to an associate. I have a paralegal to assist me with discovery requests, document production and completion of court-mandated financial statements. I also use local law clerks to perform research only as needed. This helps reduce my overhead and allows me to maintain extremely competitive hourly rates.

Work with a divorce attorney who gets to know you personally
I am here to ease your burden. Let me provide you with the skilled legal service you require. I return your phone calls promptly, and I check voicemail and email messages after hours and throughout the weekends. Contact me online or call me at 301.961.6464, ext. 3349.

Areas of practice
Family law
Divorce
Custody
Child support
Spousal support
Division of property
Paternity
Prenuptial agreements
Separation agreements
Postnuptial agreements
Domestic violence

Admitted
Maryland, 1993
Virginia, 1990
District of Columbia, 1989
Michigan, 1988

Education
University of Michigan
J.D., 1988
B.A., with high distinction, 1985

Bar memberships
Maryland State Bar Association
Virginia State Bar
District of Columbia Bar
Bar Association of Montgomery County
Fairfax County Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
American Bar Association

Honors
AV Preeminent Peer Review RatingSM from Martindale-Hubbell
Voted a Maryland Super Lawyer for 2012 in the Family Law area of practice

Professional speaking engagements
Seminars for fellow attorneys
"Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Washington, DC: Valuation, Tax and Other Issues"
"How to Help Your Client Proceed Through a Child Custody Evaluation in Virginia "
"Domestic Law in Maryland"
Seminars for the public
"Divorce Legal Seminar, Parts I and II," Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center, Rockville, MD
"Maryland Custody, Visitation and Child Support," Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity, Wheaton, MD

Firm Overview

Providing quality service for more than 20 years
At The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice, I offer you high-quality family law services at reasonable rates. You can count on receiving my personal attention to your case. I am dedicated to helping you through some of the most difficult experiences you will ever face, and showing you a path to a brighter future.

Family law in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
My practice focuses on all aspects of divorce, including:
Separation agreements
Division of property
Spousal support
Child custody
Child visitation
Child support
I also handle other family law matters including paternity, child custody outside of marriage, prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements.

Divorce lawyer for central Maryland, northern Virginia and the District of Columbia
My Bethesda office is easily accessible to residents from:
Montgomery County
Anne Arundel County
Frederick County
Prince George's County
Washington, D.C.
I also have a Fairfax office, convenient for people living in:
Virginia
Fairfax County
Arlington County
Loudoun County
Alexandria

Skilled representation in divorce and custody matters
I recognize that divorce and child custody disputes are traumatic experiences, and I approach these matters with compassion and clarity. When we work together to solve your family law problem, you can be certain that I will:
Listen closely to understand your unique circumstances
Give you an overview of the laws affecting your situation
Offer you options for resolving your problems, such as:
Direct negotiation with your spouse/former partner or their attorney
Mediation
Collaborative law
Litigation
Explain how the court system works if an amicable agreement cannot be reached
Identify your short-term and long-term goals
Form a strategy to help you achieve those goals as efficiently as possible
I am always in favor of a negotiated settlement because it is easier on you emotionally and financially. However, when your divorce or custody case is contested and cannot be peaceably resolved, I draw upon more than two decades of courtroom experience to advocate aggressively on your behalf.

Talk to an attorney who gives personal attention to your family law case
When your family is in turmoil, you need a lawyer with extensive knowledge of family law to give you candid and practical advice. I can meet your needs efficiently and cost-effectively. To make an appointment, contact me online or call me at 301.961.6464, ext. 3349.

Main Office

Main Office
4520 East West Highway, #700
Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone

301-961-6464

Divorce

Divorce Lawyer in Maryland

Separation and grounds for divorce in Maryland
You can file for a no-fault divorce in Maryland based on simply being separated from your spouse, or you can file based on marital fault grounds.

No-fault divorce
To file for a Maryland no-fault absolute divorce, you must have been separated from your spouse for one year, even if he/she does not want to get divorced.
To meet the state's definition of separation, you and your spouse must:
Not spend the night together under the same roof
Not have sexual intercourse
You cannot simply sleep in separate areas of your home or move apart and continue to have sexual relations. A Maryland no-fault separation must be absolute.

Fault grounds for divorce
Maryland law also allows you to file for divorce on the basis of:
Adultery immediately, with no waiting period required
Cruelty immediately, with no waiting period required
Excessively vicious conduct immediately, with no waiting period required
Desertion for one year
I help you determine how to clearly establish fault grounds for your Maryland divorce, if necessary.

Alimony
In Maryland, a court can award alimony while a divorce case is pending (which is called pendente lite alimony). At the divorce trial, a court can award alimony to a spouse for a specified period of time, which is called "rehabilitative alimony," in that such an award is supposed to provide financial assistance to a spouse until they can get the education and/or work training to become self-supporting. This is the preferred type of alimony in Maryland. However, a court can award what is called "indefinite alimony" to a spouse in Maryland if he/she is going to be unable to become self-supporting, or if, even after he/she has done everything possible to become self-supporting, the parties' respective standards of living will still be unconscionably disparate. Generally, alimony (whether rehabilitative or indefinite) terminates at the death of either party, or the remarriage of the recipient spouse. Alimony is almost always taxable to the recipient, and tax-deductible by the payor.
Marital property distribution
In Maryland, marital property continues to accumulate until the divorce is complete. Thus, any property that you acquire after separation may be subject to division with your spouse. Marital property is equitably divided (i.e., divided fairly), not necessarily equally divided. I work to protect your interests and help you receive your fair share of the marital property.

Child custody
Though the national trend favors joint legal and/or physical custody, at this point Maryland does not make this presumption. Legal custody deals with the issue of who gets to make the major decisions concerning your child's welfare, such as health-care and educational issues. Physical custody/visitation deal with where your child resides at any given time. If you believe it is in your child's best interests for you to have sole or joint legal and/or physical custody of your child, you need a lawyer who can stand up for your parental rights. I have the experience and skill to help you make a compelling case.

Child support
The Maryland child support guidelines may appear simple at first, and presumptively apply to parents with combined incomes of $180,000 per year or less. However, under the guidelines, the amount of child support is determined after consideration of each parent's gross income, along with consideration of any work-related childcare expenses, the costs of providing health insurance for your child(ren), and any unreimbursed extraordinary medical/dental expenses (e.g., braces). Additionally, the amount of overnights that each parent has with the child(ren) can also effect the amount of child support to be paid. For parents with combined incomes greater than $180,000 per year, the court has significant discretion in setting the amount of child support to be paid. Child support generally ends at age 18, unless the child is still in high school. In that case, the child support payments continue until the child graduates from high school or turns 19 years old, whichever occurs first. Finally, under certain circumstances, a parent can be ordered to contribute to private school expenses for a child if the child has a particular educational need to attend such a school.
Work with a lawyer who fully understands Maryland divorce law
When your marriage has come to an end, choose a lawyer who can negotiate a fair settlement or fight for your rights at trial. Contact me, Maryland divorce attorney Robert C. Eustice. I am here to see you through this crisis.

The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice
Robert Eustice

Divorce help in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.
I am Bob Eustice, a lawyer who has been dedicated to helping people solve family law problems for more than 20 years. I started out in civil business litigation, but quickly realized that I wanted to have a direct impact on people's lives during times of serious crisis. My family law practice has given me the opportunity to help people through their most difficult personal struggles.

Comprehensive knowledge of the law in three jurisdictions
I gained an in-depth understanding of family law throughout the Washington, D.C metropolitan area during my early years of practice. I worked at family law firms in Maryland and the District of Columbia. After working at a law firm that handled family law matters in all three local jurisdictions (Maryland, Virginia and D.C.), I opened my own family law practice in 2004.

Individual attention to your family law matter
When you work with me, you can be confident that I am involved with every aspect of your case. I do not hand you off to an associate. I have a paralegal to assist me with discovery requests, document production and completion of court-mandated financial statements. I also use local law clerks to perform research only as needed. This helps reduce my overhead and allows me to maintain extremely competitive hourly rates.

Work with a divorce attorney who gets to know you personally
I am here to ease your burden. Let me provide you with the skilled legal service you require. I return your phone calls promptly, and I check voicemail and email messages after hours and throughout the weekends. Contact me online or call me at 301.961.6464, ext. 3349.

Areas of practice
Family law
Divorce
Custody
Child support
Spousal support
Division of property
Paternity
Prenuptial agreements
Separation agreements
Postnuptial agreements
Domestic violence

Admitted
Maryland, 1993
Virginia, 1990
District of Columbia, 1989
Michigan, 1988

Education
University of Michigan
J.D., 1988
B.A., with high distinction, 1985

Bar memberships
Maryland State Bar Association
Virginia State Bar
District of Columbia Bar
Bar Association of Montgomery County
Fairfax County Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
American Bar Association

Honors
AV Preeminent Peer Review RatingSM from Martindale-Hubbell
Voted a Maryland Super Lawyer for 2012 in the Family Law area of practice

Professional speaking engagements
Seminars for fellow attorneys
"Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Washington, DC: Valuation, Tax and Other Issues"
"How to Help Your Client Proceed Through a Child Custody Evaluation in Virginia "
"Domestic Law in Maryland"
Seminars for the public
"Divorce Legal Seminar, Parts I and II," Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center, Rockville, MD
"Maryland Custody, Visitation and Child Support," Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity, Wheaton, MD

The Law Offices of Robert C. Eustice
Robert Eustice

Divorce help in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.
I am Bob Eustice, a lawyer who has been dedicated to helping people solve family law problems for more than 20 years. I started out in civil business litigation, but quickly realized that I wanted to have a direct impact on people's lives during times of serious crisis. My family law practice has given me the opportunity to help people through their most difficult personal struggles.

Comprehensive knowledge of the law in three jurisdictions
I gained an in-depth understanding of family law throughout the Washington, D.C metropolitan area during my early years of practice. I worked at family law firms in Maryland and the District of Columbia. After working at a law firm that handled family law matters in all three local jurisdictions (Maryland, Virginia and D.C.), I opened my own family law practice in 2004.

Individual attention to your family law matter
When you work with me, you can be confident that I am involved with every aspect of your case. I do not hand you off to an associate. I have a paralegal to assist me with discovery requests, document production and completion of court-mandated financial statements. I also use local law clerks to perform research only as needed. This helps reduce my overhead and allows me to maintain extremely competitive hourly rates.

Work with a divorce attorney who gets to know you personally
I am here to ease your burden. Let me provide you with the skilled legal service you require. I return your phone calls promptly, and I check voicemail and email messages after hours and throughout the weekends. Contact me online or call me at 301.961.6464, ext. 3349.

Areas of practice
Family law
Divorce
Custody
Child support
Spousal support
Division of property
Paternity
Prenuptial agreements
Separation agreements
Postnuptial agreements
Domestic violence

Admitted
Maryland, 1993
Virginia, 1990
District of Columbia, 1989
Michigan, 1988

Education
University of Michigan
J.D., 1988
B.A., with high distinction, 1985

Bar memberships
Maryland State Bar Association
Virginia State Bar
District of Columbia Bar
Bar Association of Montgomery County
Fairfax County Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
American Bar Association

Honors
AV Preeminent Peer Review RatingSM from Martindale-Hubbell
Voted a Maryland Super Lawyer for 2012 in the Family Law area of practice

Professional speaking engagements
Seminars for fellow attorneys
"Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Washington, DC: Valuation, Tax and Other Issues"
"How to Help Your Client Proceed Through a Child Custody Evaluation in Virginia "
"Domestic Law in Maryland"
Seminars for the public
"Divorce Legal Seminar, Parts I and II," Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center, Rockville, MD
"Maryland Custody, Visitation and Child Support," Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity, Wheaton, MD

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