Bethesda Family Law Attorney

Addressing family-related legal matters presents unique challenges regardless of the circumstances involved. Whether you are preparing to get married, preparing for a divorce or dealing with any other family-related issue, you need to make the right decisions, and it is most likely in everyone’s best interests to arrive at an amicable resolution. To do this, you will need an experienced Bethesda family law attorney on your side.

Attorney Brandon Bernstein has been exclusively representing spouses, partners, parents and other individuals in family law matters for more than a decade. He has helped clients in all types of challenging circumstances, and he is intimately familiar with the dynamics involved in tense family situations. If you are ready to move on, Brandon can assist you, and your first step is to schedule a free initial consultation.

Why Choose Us

If you’re looking for a Bethesda family law attorney, you have lots of options. The choice of a lawyer to handle sensitive family law issues is deeply personal, and there are many family law firms in Maryland and the greater Washington, D.C., area with many talented attorneys who no doubt can successfully handle your case. However, family law issues often take an emotional and financial toll on the parties involved in them, and you want to make sure that you choose an attorney who understands what you’re going through and the best way to get you and your family to the other side. 

Here at the Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, we pride ourselves on the following. 

We Practice Family Law Exclusively 

Family law is not just one part of our overall practice — it is our entire practice. We are intimately familiar with the complexities of Maryland family law.  Because we practice family law exclusively, we stay on top of the latest developments in the law and are on the cutting edge of family law jurisprudence. We also practice family law exclusively and extensively in the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

We Take Your Side 

Many family law matters, such as divorce, property division, and child custody, are inherently adversarial, and we know that you want someone in your corner who is looking out for your best interests. We take the time to get to know our clients on a personal level so that we have a deep understanding of the stakes involved in their legal matters. This also allows us to propose solutions specifically designed to achieve our client’s goals, whatever they may be. 

We Use Alternative Dispute Resolution Whenever We Can…

While many family law matters are adversarial, that does not mean that they need to be resolved in court. At the Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, we attempt to use alternative dispute resolution strategies, such as divorce mediation and family law mediation, in every matter where we think such strategies are appropriate. Mediation is aimed at encouraging the parties to come to a mutually beneficial agreement in a collaborative manner without the stress of court intervention. 

…And When We Can’t, We Are Fierce Advocates for Our Clients in Litigation

In the event a case cannot be resolved outside of court, we have extensive trial experience and regularly litigate cases to trial. This includes drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, filing pre-trial motions, presenting evidence, examining and cross-examining facts and expert witnesses, and generally preparing our clients for whatever may come their way at trial. Family law litigation may be necessary, for example, in bitterly contested divorces, divorces in which a spouse challenges a prenuptial agreement, or divorces where domestic violence is an issue.

We Handle Legal Matters Across the Entire D.C. Area

Family law matters often cross state lines, which may present issues if your attorney is not licensed to practice in a particular jurisdiction. Brandon Bernstein is licensed to practice law in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, as well as in the federal U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Our office is also centrally located in downtown Bethesda, Maryland, allowing our clients easy access wherever they come from. 

We Are Recognized for Our Prowess 

Brandon Bernstein has been recognized by Super Lawyers every year for nearly a decade. This prestigious recognition is awarded to fewer than 2.5% percent of attorneys in Maryland, placing Mr. Bernstein at the top of his practice. 

Our Family Law Services in Bethesda

Our firm represents individuals in all types of family law matters. If you live or work in Bethesda, or if you are dealing with a family-related legal issue in the Bethesda area, we can help you make informed decisions and protect your best interests in matters involving:  

Child Custody

When going through a separation or divorce with children, establishing your child custody rights is a major part of the process. We can help you develop a parenting plan that meets your needs while also serving your children’s best interests. We represent parents in post-separation and post-divorce child custody enforcement and modification matters as well.

Child Support

Under Maryland law, both parents have an obligation to financially support their children following a separation or divorce. While most parents can use Maryland’s Child Support Guidelines to calculate child support, special considerations apply in some cases. In addition to assisting parents with child support during their divorces and separations, we also provide assistance with child support enforcement and modification in Bethesda.

Divorce

A significant portion of our practice is devoted to representing spouses involved in a divorce. Bethesda family law attorney Brandon Bernstein has significant experience in both contested and uncontested divorces, and he has helped divorcing spouses protect their interests in an extremely broad range of circumstances. We provide full-service legal representation for our divorce clients, helping them make informed decisions and efficiently resolve disputes pertaining to:

• Alimony – Neither spouse is guaranteed alimony in a divorce. However, alimony awards are warranted in many cases, and it is important for both spouses to carefully consider all relevant factors when calculating both the amount and duration of alimony.
• Child–Related Matters – Divorcing parents must work together to develop a mutually-agreeable parenting plan; and, if they cannot agree, they must ask the court to determine their respective legal and physical custody rights for them. In divorces involving children, calculating child support is a necessary part of the process as well.
• Property Distribution – In Maryland, divorcing spouses must divide their marital assets equitably. While this might mean negotiating a 50-50 split, an unequal distribution can also be considered equitable in many circumstances. We help our clients determine what is equitable given the circumstances of their divorce, and then we work with our clients to help them protect the assets they care about most.
• Divorce & Family Law Mediation – When divorcing spouses are unable to come to terms regarding alimony, child-related matters, or property distribution, divorce mediation  or family law mediation provides a path forward. A mediator does not render a binding decision, but instead offers insights and recommendations to help the parties find a way forward.
• High Asset Divorce – High asset divorces present a number of unique financial considerations. Bethesda family law attorney Brandon Bernstein has represented many high-net-worth individuals during their divorces, and he can use his experience to help protect your income and assets in your divorce.

Prenuptial Agreements

Entering into a prenuptial agreement serves many important purposes beyond “planning for divorce.” Prenuptial agreements make sense for lots of couples for lots of different reasons, and a well-drafted agreement will protect both parties’ interests in a variety of different areas. If you are interested in a prenuptial agreement, or if your fiancé has asked you to sign a prenup, attorney Brandon Bernstein can help you prepare a sound, comprehensive and enforceable agreement that serves as a strong foundation for your marriage.

Protective Orders

If you or your child is a victim of domestic violence, obtaining a protective order can put an immediate stop to the abuse. In Maryland, a “protective order” is the official term for what is commonly called a “restraining order” in other states. There are emergency procedures available, and Bethesda family law attorney Brandon Bernstein can seek a protective order on your behalf immediately if necessary.

Brandon also represents spouses, partners and parents who need to defend against efforts to obtain a protective order against them. Unfortunately, while many allegations of domestic violence are legitimate, false accusations are also common, and they can have immediate and devastating consequences for those who are wrongfully accused.

Separation Agreements

To file for a no-fault divorce in Maryland, spouses must live apart for at least 12 months. This is a long time, and it is not uncommon for issues to arise. To avoid these issues, divorcing spouses can enter into a separation agreement. A separation agreement can address financial support, child custody rights, property rights, and other family and financial matters; and, in addition to providing stability and certainty prior to a couple’s divorce, entering into a separation agreement can set the stage for efficient and amicable divorce settlement negotiations as well.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with a Bethesda Family Law Attorney

Regardless of your specific needs—or even if you aren’t exactly sure what you need—you should speak with an attorney if you have any questions or concerns about any family-related legal matter. To schedule a free initial consultation with Bethesda family law attorney Brandon Bernstein, call us at 240-395-1418 or tell us how we can reach you online today. We look forward to assisting you in any way we can.