Monday - Friday8:30AM - 5PM
OfficesFairfax | Manassas
Family Law Attorneys · Crystal City, Virginia
For a federal career, the pension is often the largest asset in the marriage.
Crystal City is built on federal service, and for many couples the FERS pension and the Thrift Savings Plan are worth more than the home. Dividing them in a divorce follows its own federal rules. We help Crystal City families get the share and the order right, with the case heard at the Arlington County Justice Center. Reach us when you are ready.
A first call is steady, and it costs nothing.
You Are Not Alone
Across Crystal City's federal workforce, many couples are facing this with a pension on the line. None of them do it alone, and neither will you.
Marital share
only the part of the pension earned during the marriage is divided
Va. Code § 20-107.3
Order
a federal pension is split by a court order processed by OPM
FERS / CSRS
17th
Judicial Circuit, where Arlington cases are decided
Arlington County Circuit Court
50+
years of combined family law practice
Three Northern Virginia offices
What We Handle
Family law help for Crystal City families.
When a federal pension and a Thrift Savings Plan are the largest assets, the division has to follow the federal rules exactly. Here is the work we take on.
Looking for a family law attorney near Crystal City? NOVA Legal Professionals helps Crystal City clients divide federal retirement, FERS, CSRS, and the TSP, and handles divorce, custody, and support, with cases at the Arlington County Justice Center. Talk with an attorney at 571.260.0999.
01 /
The matter of your career's reward.
01
Contested Divorce
When you and your spouse cannot agree, an Arlington judge decides. We build the case, negotiate where we can, and try it when settlement is off the table.
When You Cannot Agree 02Equitable Distribution
Virginia divides marital property by what is fair, not a flat half. We work every factor so the split reflects the marriage.
Fair, Not Equal 03Asset Division
The home, the accounts, the TSP, and the federal pension, we identify and value every marital asset so the division is clear and final.
The Marital Estate 04Separation Agreements
A clear separation agreement sets out the pension share and the survivor election. We draft yours so the federal order can be processed without a hitch.
First Protection 05Child Support
Child support follows the state guideline, built on both incomes and the parenting schedule. We make sure the inputs are right so the number is fair.
Guideline & Beyond 06Custody & Parenting
A parenting plan should fit your family's real week. We shape custody and visitation around school, work, and your children's routine.
Parenting Time 07Spousal Support
Spousal support steadies a household while it resets. Whether you would pay or receive it, we work toward a fair amount and a fair term.
Maintenance 08Military Divorce
Federal and military retirement follow their own rules. We divide FERS, CSRS, the TSP, and survivor benefits with the right court order.
Service MembersWhere Your Case Is Heard
Where a Crystal City case is heard.
Crystal City sits at Arlington's southern end, near the Pentagon. A divorce is filed in the Arlington County Circuit Court; custody and support on their own go to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, both inside the Arlington County Justice Center at 1425 North Courthouse Road.
Circuit Court
Arlington County Circuit Court
17th Judicial Circuit
HearsThe divorce, and the division of the federal pension, the TSP, and other property.
DecidesEquitable distribution, plus support and custody when part of the divorce.
Where1425 North Courthouse Road, in the Courthouse neighborhood, the 17th Judicial Circuit.
NoteThe 17th Circuit also covers the City of Falls Church.
J&DR Court
Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court
Family matters outside a divorce
HearsCustody, visitation, child support, and protective orders on their own.
StartMost cases open at the intake desk before a hearing is set.
WhereThe same Justice Center on North Courthouse Road, Suite 4100.
NoteYou file where you and your spouse last lived together, which for Arlington couples is Arlington.
Alisa Chunephisal, Esq.Family Law Attorney
Attorney Insights
What I tell Crystal City clients about the pension.
A federal pension is not just a number on a statement. Getting the marital share and the survivor election right protects you for the rest of your life.
- 1
Only the marital share is divided
A federal pension earned over a long career is split by the portion earned during the marriage, not the whole thing. Getting the service dates and the formula right is what makes the division fair.
- 2
The survivor benefit is easy to lose
A former spouse survivor annuity has to be elected in the order, often within strict deadlines. Miss it, and the income can vanish at the worst possible time. We make sure it is addressed up front.
- 3
The order has to satisfy the agency
A federal pension is divided by a specific court order that OPM will accept, and the TSP by its own order. We draft them to the agencies' requirements so the division actually goes through.
Why Families Trust Us
Help dividing a federal retirement.
When a federal pension and TSP are the heart of the estate, you want counsel who knows the federal rules and the orders that carry them out.
Experience
50+
Years Combined
Years of dividing federal retirement for Arlington families.
Expertise
100%
Family Law Focus
Family law is the whole practice, federal benefits included.
Authority
AV
Preeminent Rated
Peer rated AV Preeminent, listed in Super Lawyers, and rated 10.0 on Avvo.
Trust
5★
Verified Reviews
Verified five star reviews from Crystal City families and others across Northern Virginia.
Recognition
Recognition that holds up.
We have helped Crystal City families divide the FERS pension and the TSP correctly, with the survivor election in place, so a federal career's reward was protected on both sides.
Our commitment to Crystal City
From Our Clients
Crystal City families in their own words.
Read what Crystal City clients have shared about dividing federal retirement with our attorneys.
Questions People Actually Ask
Plain answers, about federal retirement.
These are the questions Crystal City clients ask first. If yours is not here, just ask.
Have a question about dividing a pension?Call 571.260.0999 or send us a message.
Is my federal pension divided in a divorce?
Usually the marital share is. The part of a FERS or CSRS pension earned during the marriage is marital property and can be divided, while service before the marriage or after separation generally stays separate.
How is the TSP split?
The Thrift Savings Plan is divided by its own retirement benefits court order. The marital portion can be transferred to the other spouse's account. We draft the order so the TSP accepts it and the transfer goes through cleanly.
What is the survivor benefit issue?
A former spouse can be awarded a survivor annuity, but it has to be elected in the divorce order, often within strict time limits. If it is missed, the income can be lost. We address it up front so it is not overlooked.
Where is a Crystal City divorce filed?
In the Arlington County Circuit Court at the Justice Center, 1425 North Courthouse Road, the 17th Judicial Circuit. Custody or support on their own start at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in the same building.
What if both spouses are federal employees?
Then both pensions and both TSP accounts are on the table. Sometimes they roughly offset, sometimes they do not. We value each one and divide them so the overall split is fair, not just symmetrical.
Before You Decide
Reading on federal retirement.
Plain English guides Crystal City clients reach for most as they get started.
A
How Do I Get a Divorce in Virginia?
The plain English overview of grounds, timelines, and the steps to a final decree.
Virginia GuideBWho Pays the Bills?
How couples handle the mortgage, the cards, and everyday costs during a separation.
SeparationCWhat to Expect in an Uncontested Divorce
The requirements, the timeline, and what makes a Virginia divorce uncontested.
Virginia GuideWhen You Are Ready
When you are ready, let's protect the pension.
Tell us about your federal service and accounts, and we will help you divide them correctly in your Crystal City divorce.