Sonja Aoun

Sonja Aoun represents family law clients in all aspects of separation and divorce, including divorce planning/premarital agreements, collaborative divorces, negotiated settlements, and trials. Her estate planning practice ranges from the preparation of powers of attorney and advance medical directives to wills and complex trusts and special needs planning.

Sonja obtained her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center after graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Languages (Spanish) from Georgetown University. Starting in 2014, she has been named to the Virginia SuperLawyers list in the field of family law; she has been listed in the Washington, DC SuperLawyers since 2015.

She is a popular speaker at local Done with Divorce estate planning seminars and Second Saturday separation and divorce workshops and other women’s groups. She is a member of the family law sections of the Fairfax Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Women Attorney’s Association, and a past member of the National Association of Professional Women.

Ms. Aoun represents high net worth individuals, professionals, government employees, military servicemembers and their spouses, and disabled individuals. She also has experience in custody modification and relocation cases, including cases involving aspects of international law. She is licensed to practice in both Virginia and Washington, D.C. She speaks Spanish and French, and resides with her husband and three children in Fairfax County, VA.

• Free Consultation
  Estate Planning clients receive a free initial telephone consultation.
• Credit Cards Accepted

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Bar

Since 2003

Virginia

Since 2001

Of Counsel

Briglia Hundley, P.C.

2019 - Current

Owner, Attorney

Aoun Law Group, PLLC

2018 - 2019

Owner, Attorney

Aoun & Boone, P.C.

2016 - 2018

Attorney

Dycio & Biggs

2012 - 2016

Owner, Attorney

Aoun & Stanford, P.C.

2007 - 2012

Georgetown University Law Center

Juris Doctor (2000)

Honors: Award of Achievement in Conflicts of Laws

Georgetown University

B.S. in Languages (1995) | Spanish Major

Honors: Graduated cum laude; Outstanding Achievement in Spanish Award; Certificate of Latin American Studies

District of Columbia Bar

Member

2003 - Current

Virginia State Bar

Member

2001 - Current

Estate Planning After Divorce: Your Next Steps, Done with Divorce, Virtual

March 17, 2021

Argent Bridge Advisors

Provided information tailored to people finishing or finished with the divorce process about key steps to take to protect themselves and their loved ones with estate planning documents.

Q. My parents have been seperated for 40+ years. My father has become ill and I wanted to know how to get them divorced

January 25, 2022

A: If your father wants to file for divorce, he can do so if he has been a Virginia resident for the past six months. When he files for divorce, if he doesn't know where your mother is, he will need to file an affidavit verifying that he doesn't know her address. He can then request that she be served with the divorce paperwork by publication, which means publishing the information in a local newspaper. If he does know where she is, that process will be a bit easier. He should make an effort to locate her, because it can affect whether any final decision regarding his assets can be overturned by her later on. If your father owned property with your mother while they were married, he will have to ask the court to divide up that property. If she doesn't show up for the hearing, then the court will most likely just give it to him.

If your father does not have a will or trust in place already, he has the opportunity to direct whether or not she would receive any assets from him. If they are not divorced yet, she may still be able to claim a certain share of the assets. But if the divorce is final, then she cannot challenge his will.

I also suggest talking to your father about titling assets in a way that avoids probate, such as "transfer on death" bank accounts, and making sure any retirement accounts or life insurance policies don't list her as a beneficiary.

In order to fully answer your question, an attorney would need the specific details of your case, which should be discussed in a confidential setting. There is a lot that can be done to help him out, and most attorneys are able to work with clients who are ill and need special accommodations. ... Read More

Q. My spouse and I will be attempting in home separation in Virginia. He is an airline pilot. If I take a trip to visit

January 25, 2022

A: Temporary absences without the intent to separate permanently do not amount to desertion in Virginia. The court may view the trips to visit family and friends differently than leaving to go to an apartment or hotel when your spouse is home differently, however. Also, notifying other people that you intend to return is not the same as letting your spouse known you will be home again.

Q. Reference Custody and Visitation. I went to court on December 14, 2021, when does a custody order go into effect?

January 11, 2022

A: This type of confusion happens frequently after a hearing. Did you have an attorney? If so, please ask the attorney who has been representing you for clarity. Often someone has asked the judge when the order takes effect. If no date is specified, the usual default is that once a judge has made his or her ruling, it takes effect immediately, even if no order has been entered yet. If you're still uncertain what your obligations are, talking to to an attorney, with a copy of the transcript of the court's ruling, is advisable.