Susan M. Butler
Divorce Law - Fairfax, VA

My clients and I share a great deal of information, especially in our initial conversation. But one thing I always remind them of is this: No two cases are ever alike. No matter what your friends and family members have told you, what has occurred, or how another person's case may have been handled, or how it was settled, has no relevance to your own situation.

Looking to the outcome of a case, a client virtually always has a wish-list: Do you want to stay in the house? What kind of custody arrangement is realistic, and is in everyone's best interest? There are various paths to consider as well: Is mediation appropriate? Or perhaps there is another, creative alternative.

I remind my clients that despite all of the immediate pain, they are good people, that they are just at a terrible time in their lives, a time of huge change, and that emotions can be overwhelming. But I nonetheless always advise that my clients maintain a level of dignity and respect; that spite and anger will only further complicate matters.

That said, I cannot run people's lives, or make their decisions for them. In any case it is important for me to be fully informed of all relevant facts, and of everything having potential importance. No attorney or client wants to be sitting in a courtroom when the other side produces some negative information which we did not anticipate.

I feel we are entering a more challenging period for anyone looking to divide marital assets. It was easier to be generous when we knew that both spouses were going to get something of substantial value. When home prices were going up, it was all fairly straightforward. Now, however, we are seeing cases in which the equity in homes has declined so much that the mortgage may exceed the current fair market value; and where there is very little other marital property to distribute.

I am always looking at the big picture, seeing how the pieces are best going to fit -now and down the road. If there is a common thread to every case, it's that there is always a desire and need of the separating/divorcing spouses for a permanent and durable agreement.

Matrimonial law is unique in that there are multiple facets of which we must have a command: Tax law and pension law, just for starters. Moreover, Virginia's divorce laws (equitable distribution, custody, and support, for example) have many unique characteristics. That's why I concentrate my practice now only in Virginia -expertise focused within a single venue is much more valuable and precise. That contributes substantially to why the firm in which I practice is truly first-rate. ShounBach has a broad range of legal expertise, all right down the hall from my office. The level of organization within the firm is amazing, and the expertise and experience of our 12 attorneys and of our 10-person professional staff (including five paralegals) exceeds any other family law firm in the area. We're solid from top to bottom. That makes us unique, and provides our clients a powerful advantage.

Susan M. Butler
"No matter what your friends and family members have told you, what has occurred, or how another person's case may have been handled, or how it was settled, has no relevance to your own situation."
Phone: (703) 222-3333
Fax: (703) 222-3340
 
 
Education
Mount Holyoke College, A. B., 1988
Catholic University of America School of Law, J.D., 1992
 
2022-06-03 09:43:26