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Fairfax Family Law Attorney

The Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury, PLC is exclusively dedicated to family law cases and issues. We focus on the client’s goals and provide top-notch legal representation to achieve the best possible results. From our office located in Fairfax, VA we provide quality, flat-rate divorce services to clients throughout Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria and Prince William. We offer professional, effective, efficient family law services customized to their individual needs.

Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce is a form of an amicable divorce when you and your spouse agree on certain aspects of your separation. Read more here.
Contested Divorce
If spouses cannot come to an agreement on certain divorce terms, a judge may have to decide for the couple. This is a contested divorce. Learn more here.
Child Custody
Considering a custody battle can be an emotional and overwhelming feeling. Attorney Afsana Chowdhury can help you, learn more about our child custody practice, here.
Child Support
Ensuring your child receives the necessities they need in life is the top priority. The firm can help you navigate the tricky complexities of child support. Learn more here.
Spousal Support
Spousal support, or alimony, is either rehabilitative or permanent. Learn more about each type and what you may need in your separation, here.
Separation Agreements
What does separation mean in Virginia? And, how is it different than a divorce? Learn more on our separation practice area page and contact Afsana Chowdhury for guidance.
Property Division
As you go through divorce, how will your shared property be treated? Learn more here and contact Law Office Of Afsana Chowdhury for guidance during your divorce.
Father’s Rights
As a father, if you are concerned that your rights with the children will not be honored, our firm can help you. Learn more here.
Prenups
Getting a prenuptial agreement before you get married can make the prospect of a divorce or separation less stressful. Read more about prenuptial agreements here.
Same-Sex Divorce
Attorney Afsana Chowdhury is here to help you navigate your same-sex divorce. Get started today with a consultation about your divorce.

Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury

Getting Divorced: Where Do You Start?

If you are contemplating divorce or perhaps you know that your spouse is, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect your rights and interests. In Virginia, getting divorced requires the parties to address every aspect of their marriage, including their property, children, and financial support. Having a knowledgeable Fairfax family law lawyer to guide you will ensure that you are well-equipped and prepared for the divorce even before the process begins. Based in Fairfax, the Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury, PLC, will provide reliable, effective legal representation for your divorce. Here are a few tips to get you started.

What To Do Next?

If you are contemplating divorce or need more information about your rights, take charge of your future by consulting with a Fairfax family law lawyer as early as possible. The longer you wait, the more contentious your divorce is likely to get, and the more issues you will be facing in the divorce that need resolution, all of which will increase the price of your divorce. Start by reviewing your individual and marital assets and liabilities, and contact us as soon as possible for a full analysis and case evaluation.

Top-Rated Divorce Attorney

Special Focus on Military and Federal Employee Divorce

Afsana Chowdhury is an experienced family law lawyer with a special focus on military and federal employee divorce. A Northern Virginia native, Afsana is a highly experienced, top-rated family law attorney in Fairfax, VA, with the skill and legal knowledge to put you on a solid financial footing for the future. She is nationally recognized as a top divorce professional and highly reviewed by clients. She prioritizes each case and diligently works with the client to achieve their desired goals.

Full Service Family Law

Attorney Chowdhury has experience in all facets of Virginia family law. While our firm does focus on divorces, there are so many aspects to family law, and we strive to care for our clients through the entire process. We also represent clients in cases involving legal separations, annulments, child custody, child support, spousal support, and pre-and postnuptial agreements.

A military spouse may be entitled to different benefits depending on the length of the marriage and how long their spouse was active in the military. Some of these benefits include medical coverage, retirement, and survivor benefits.

Many people mistakenly believe that the 10/10 rule means that a military spouse is entitled to a portion of the service member's retirement ONLY if they were married for at least 10 years. This is actually misinformation.

Under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA), VA disability is NOT divisible in divorce. However, it does count as income for purposes of calculating support.

Federal pensions are different from private pensions and require specialized orders for division. The marital share of a pension is determined by the overlap between the marriage and the employee's length of service.

A TSP works much like a 401(k) plan in that the contributions made during the marriage are considered marital property and thus subject to division in divorce. The division occurs through a court order known as a Retirement Benefits Court Order (RBCO).

A former spouse survivor annuity is an insurance plan established to pay out benefits to a former spouse upon the retiree’s death. This helps provide a former spouse the same benefits they would have been entitled to should the divorce not have happened.

Why Choose Us

Focus
Our practice is exclusively dedicated to divorce and family law matters.
Flat fee
At Afsana Chowdhury PLC, we offer flat fee pricing which clients prefer over the traditional hourly billing method employed by other Fairfax family law firms because flat fees offer value, peace of mind, and certainty.
Technology and efficiency
Our use of technology and the latest legal software allows us to offer efficiency and accuracy in every step of the family law process.
Experience
Our experience, insight, and skill in handling Fairfax family law cases gives our clients an advantage in securing their financial future.
“Capped” fees
Our fees are “capped” at what is stated in the contract, which means the client will not incur additional charges or receive any surprise bills from us.
24/7 access to the client portal
We empower the client by educating them and giving them 24/7 access to their case file through our secure client portal.
Passion
Our passion and commitment towards each case solidifies our clients’ chances of achieving the best possible result.
Minimization of costs
We understand that many people are afraid that their Fairfax family law case will be an expensive, time-consuming ordeal. Our firm helps to minimize costs and the length of time the process takes by coming up with no-court solutions when appropriate.
Keeping updated
We are highly responsive to our clients, making sure to keep them updated on the status of their Fairfax family law case and being available to answer any questions they may have.

What Makes Us Unique?

In addition to being a top-rated Fairfax family lawyer, Afsana Chowdhury goes above and beyond her role as an attorney and takes a personal approach with each one of her clients. She looks out for the best interests of her clients and shows unyielding compassion during what is usually a very difficult time in her clients’ lives. She is a responsive and clear communicator who works around the clock to serve the Northern Virginia community in all matters involving family law.

Another aspect of our firm that sets us apart is that we charge a flat fee, rather than an hourly rate. Many Fairfax family law attorneys charge by the hour, which can run up a bill and add financial strain to an already stressful divorce. Our office, on the other hand, charges just one flat rate, which eliminates unexpected fees. We believe attorneys should not make divorces inaccessible.

If you are facing a divorce or separation, or if you are interested in a prenuptial agreement, contact the Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury at 703-782-4273 to set up a case evaluation. We look forward to learning more about you and your case.

Need Help With Divorce?

We can help you through this.

Divorce

Attorney Chowdhury is talented at representing clients in both contested and uncontested divorces. She understands the ins and outs of proving fault, dividing assets, calculating support, and fighting for parental and visitation rights. She is also experienced in handling military and federal employee divorces. While it is often preferable that both spouses agree to a resolution, Attorney Chowdhury is proud to stand up for her clients’ rights in front of a family law judge to fight for a fair and equitable resolution.

Legal Separation

A legal separation in Virginia is different and distinct from a divorce. Virginia does not recognize a “legal separation,” as some states do. Rather, in Virginia, couples may choose to live “separate and apart” from one another. After a period of time, depending on whether the couple has minor children, they may file for a no-fault divorce on the grounds of their separation. However, many couples prefer, and it is advisable, to formalize separation through a separation agreement, which establishes each spouse’s rights and responsibilities during the period of their separation before a formal divorce.

Virginia also recognized “Bed and Board Divorces,” which is usually a temporary quasi-divorce, in which the court can award spousal support, divide property, and set child custody arrangements, although the couple is still technically married. At the Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury, we have handled countless separations by working closely with our clients to understand their needs and objectives.

Spousal Support

Spousal support is also referred to as alimony. In Virginia, spousal support is intended to allow a non-earning or lower-earning spouse to continue his or her way of life after the divorce. Each marriage is unique, and financial circumstances can change. However, in cases where one spouse was the primary earner, and the other ceased formal employment to provide a support function like childcare or home care, there is a significant imbalance in each spouse’s earning capacity. In the event of a divorce, this can leave the lower-earning spouse without resources. At the Law Office of Afsana Chowdhury, our goal is to make sure that both spouses receive an arrangement that reflects what they deserve.

Child Custody and Support

Child custody and child support matters can be financially, legally, and emotionally difficult. For many parents, their relationship with their children is the most important aspect of their marriage. During a divorce or separation, the spouses must reach an agreement on where the child will live, how often the other parent can visit, and who has the legal right to make important decisions about the child’s rights. In addition to negotiating visitation rights, Attorney Chowdhury is experienced in calculating child support. Child support is typically calculated according to state guidelines, but this calculation can be complicated and adversarial. Our firm can help clients calculate their income correctly and ensure each parent is contributing their fair share of child support.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Our firm is also skilled in negotiating, drafting, reviewing, and even litigating pre- and postmarital agreements. More and more, couples are considering what will happen to their assets in the event of a divorce. A prenuptial agreement is a binding contract entered into before the marriage that lays out how property will be divided, who has decision-making authority during the marriage, and whether either spouse will be entitled to spousal support. A postnuptial agreement is simply a prenuptial agreement that is executed after the marriage. Our firm communicates clearly with clients to explain the law, think through potential consequences, and ultimately reach a fair and equitable agreement.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Contact us today for expert advice.