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About Stasio Family Law

Washington, DC | Maryland

I work with individuals and families during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. When you are navigating divorce, custody disputes, child support, alimony, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and/or domestic abuse, I understand that you are not just facing a legal issue ... you are facing a life change.

  • Each circumstance is unique, and I offer strategic solutions tailored to the particular needs of an individual or a family. Whether you need a litigator, mediator, best interests attorney/guardian ad litem, or a parent coordinator, I will guide you to the right personal and/or legal strategy to successfully move to the next chapter of your life and the life of your family – whatever form that may take.

    I explain the law and your options clearly – no jargon, no confusion. You know where you stand and what to expect. I listen to your goals and help you build a plan to reach them. Whenever possible, I pursue fair, efficient outcomes that preserve relationships. I do not escalate unnecessarily. If negotiation fails, I am a strategic, forceful advocate in complex litigation. 

    I graduated magna cum laude from Boston college law school in 1996. I practiced for 12 years in Big Law as a patent litigator, obtaining top-notch litigation skills unparalleled by most family law attorneys. I have focused exclusively on family law for almost two decades now and offer an experienced and nuanced approach to complex family issues and the law. 

    I am licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and California (inactive status). I am a member of the DC and Maryland Bar Associations and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.  

Practice Areas

  • Whether you need guidance for an amicable, uncontested divorce, strategy for difficult negotiations involving alimony and custody, an understanding of intricate fiscal matters and asset division, or all of the above, you need a lawyer who will ensure you have legal protection, financial counsel and compassionate understanding.  I can provide all three, whether in the context of mediation or high stakes litigation. 

  • Whether in the context of divorce, or as an independent matter, I represent you in connection with fighting for your children when there is no other viable option. Litigation should always be the last resort. The scientific literature shows that chronic disputes and conflict between parents leads to bad outcomes for children.  Unfortunately, in special circumstances, your children need to be protected. Known for my experience successfully handling high-conflict custody disputes, I have engaged in multi-day and multi-week custody trials involving mental illness, neurodiverse children, relocation, transgender teens and gender-affirming treatment, intrafamily abuse, and addiction. I also provide creative and outside-the-box solutions to reach agreement in situations where, despite those issues being involved, both parents want to avoid the financial and emotional toll going to trial can take on everyone in the family. 

  • Although engaging in effective mediation for my individual clients involved in family law matters, I also act as a third-party mediator.  In those circumstances, I help both parties to identify, discuss and resolve any issues in dispute without representing either party, but rather acting as an unbiased facilitator. I use a constructive, problem-solving, collaborative  approach to help parties achieve successful outcomes without the cost and pain of going to court.  Parties can mediate with or without each of their individual attorneys being present, but I suggest that parties consult individual attorneys prior to signing any final agreement to understand their rights and responsibilities. 

  • Parent coordination is a form of alternate dispute resolution that is aimed at co-parents working together in the best interests of their child or children during and/or after a divorce or break-up. Your children’s well-being is the priority in parent coordination.  I can help parents implement their parenting plans, resolve conflicts, facilitate child-centered decision-making and improve communication.  Parents can contact me independently, be referred by their attorney or therapist, or be court-ordered to engage in parent coordination. 

Locations

 

1325 G Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005

 

15425 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 600
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Testimonials

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