When it comes to achieving a positive outcome for his clients, Geoffrey Platnick is passionate. Often meeting him under emotionally devastating circumstances, clients rely on Geoff to assess their specific family circumstances and goals, and then formulate and execute a strategy to achieve a desirable outcome for them and their families. His experience and training provides him an insightful perspective into the field of family law and its complex needs. He presents clients with strategic, thoughtful and zealous representation, providing solutions for both their immediate and long-term concerns. Geoff is particularly adept at crafting settlement agreements which ultimately serve the client and the best interest of minor children involved in these family disputes. A highly accomplished family lawyer and Managing Partner at the prominent family law firm of Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, in Potomac, MD., Geoff’s areas of practice include all aspects of complex family law matters, including divorce and litigation, complex custody litigation, child support and alimony issues, property distribution and business valuations, settlement agreements, custody agreements, pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, grandparent visitation issues, contempt/enforcement actions, modification actions, domestic violence matters, as well as legal issues faced by same-sex couples. He regularly litigates before Family Division magistrates and judges of the Circuit Court of Maryland (statewide) and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in contested and uncontested divorce, custody, property division, and financial support matters, all with the singular focus of preserving his client’s ability to maintain quality familial relationships and fiscal well-being. Geoff frequents the Maryland appellate courts and is often appointed by the trial courts to represent the needs of children as a trained and experienced Best Interest Attorney.
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights , Victims Rights
- Credit Cards Accepted
- District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Bar
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- Maryland
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Managing Shareholder
- Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield
- - Current
- Family Law Attorney and Managing Shareholder for boutique practice
- Equity Shareholder
- Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker
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- Litigated, mediated, arbitrated, and collaborated cases primarily involving divorce, custody, child support, alimony, property division, domestic violence, and contempt.
- Senior Associate
- Strickler, Sachitano & Hatfield
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- Litigated and mediated cases primarily involving divorce, custody, child support, alimony, property division, domestic violence, guardianship and contempt.
- Associate
- Gimmel, Weiman, Ersek & Blomberg
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- Litigated and mediated cases primarily involving divorce, custody, child support, alimony, property division, domestic violence, guardianship, contempt and general civil litigation.
- Trial Attorney
- Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
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- Performed all functions related to case and calendar management for civil and criminal dockets including: pretrial, motions and trial scheduling; preparation of case transfers; case entry logs; documentation of action taken or orders issued; preparation and service of filings; timely issuance of subpoenas; discovery; mediation; negotiation and trial.
- SUNY Buffalo Law School
- J.D. (2002) | Law
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- West Virginia University
- B.A. (1991) | Communications
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- Best Lawyer
- Best Lawyers in America
- AV Preeminent Attorney
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Best Lawyer
- Best Lawyers in America
- AV Preeminent Attorney
- Martindale-Hubbell
- 2022 Family Law Power List
- The Daily Record
- Maryland, Bar Foundation, Inc. Montgomery County
- Bar Leader
- - Current
- Activities: Bar Leader
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- Montgomery County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member
- - Current
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- Washington, DC Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Member
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- Maryland State Bar # 46223
- Member
- - Current
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- American Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Maryland State Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Montgomery County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Montgomery County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Co-chair
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- Montgomery County Bar Association, Family Law Section, Continuing Legal Education Committee
- Co-chair
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- The Daily Record's 2022 Family Law Power List
- The Daily Record
- Licensed to Practice Law
- Washington, DC Court of Appeals
- Licensed to Practice Law
- Maryland Court of Appeals
What are the differences between joint and sole child custody?
In Maryland and DC, legal custody pertains to a parent
Can a court order a spouse to transfer property to the other spouse at the time of divorce?
At the time of divorce, a court has the power to order the sale of jointly owned property and divide the proceeds equally. However, if property is titled only in the name of one spouse, then generally a court cannot order one spouse to transfer the property to the other spouse. However, there are three exceptions when a court can do so.
Can a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement override normal property division and support rules?
This video will help the viewer understand when a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement can override normal property division and support rules.
Can my child's preference be considered during a custody case?
Can my child's preference be considered during a custody case? There are a number of ways to take children
How are retirement assets divided during divorce?
During a divorce in Maryland or Washington, DC, certain specific rules apply to how retirement assets such as 401(k), IRA or pension can be divided.
How Are Valuable, Tangible Assets Valued During a Divorce?
During a divorce in Maryland or Washington, DC valuable and tangible assets are valued according to a specific set of rules.
How can our assets be fairly divided during divorce?
Maryland and Washington DC, are equitable -- not equal -- division states when it comes to dividing marital property between spouses. However absent extraordinary facts, there is generally an equal division of marital property at the time of divorce. That concept alone is not what causes battles regarding the division of assets between divorcing couples.
How Do Child Support Guideline Calculations Work?
Maryland child support guidelines are formula calculations applied by the court to determine the amount of child support paid between parents when the parents
Is Maryland an equitable-distribution or a community-property state?
Maryland is an equitable -- not equal -- division state when it comes to dividing marital property between spouses. However absent extraordinary facts, there is generally an equal division of marital property at the time of divorce.
What happens if divorcing spouses want to keep the same property?
If both spouses want to keep the same property -- the marital home for example
What is the difference between marital and non-marital property?
This video will explain to the viewer what the difference is between the concept of marital and non-marital property for the purposes of divorce in either Maryland or Washington, DC.
What steps can you take to preserve your inheritance during divorce?
Property that has been acquired during the marriage by gift or inheritance from a third party is non-marital property. However, the problem that often occurs is when the non-marital gift or inheritance becomes commingled with marital property so that it can no longer directly traced to a non-marital source. This is called commingling an asset. Once an asset is commingled it is very difficult to parse out any non-marital portion.
