Maryland Divorce Hub

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  Legal Services for Divorce, Separation and Custody Matters

  “He consistently exceeded my expectations from the first meeting to the settlement and custody arrangements he secured on my behalf,” are the words clients most often say when asked to describe their experience with Geoffrey Platnick, a Shareholder of Shulman Rogers, who has been recognized by Martindale Hubbell (Preeminent AV Rating, the highest ranking), Bethesda Magazine, AVVO, Super Lawyers and scores of clients throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia for his divorce, custody and family law practice. A senior executive with a national media company recalls, “I knew Geoff and his team were the right choice from the first meeting. He asked me to come in and talk. He assured me that at the end of our first meeting, I would have a clear understanding of the process, the gains and risks involved, as well as providing me the plan to get me through this ordeal with my dignity, assets and, most of all, continued access and custody of my children intact. During that initial meeting, I sat with Geoff and another experienced family lawyer for more than two hours and I received exactly what Geoff said he would deliver—a clear plan. However, the best part was he only charged me for the one hour he told me it would cost and not the nearly five hours of lawyer time it took to get me the understanding and comfort level I needed to protect my family and assets.” A banking executive in the DC Metropolitan area says, “Geoff is the best of the best. I interviewed several top lawyers for my difficult divorce. Geoff came highly recommended from multiple sources, and I realized why soon after he took my case. Geoff exhibited superior knowledge, had impeccable courtroom presence and took excellent care of me throughout my divorce process. In addition, he truly cares about his clients and works diligently to ensure they receive a great outcome, which I certainly did. I could not have asked for better representation.” Geoff hits the ground running from the first meeting with a prospective client. One client writing a glowing review on AVVO said, “[w]hen I realized that my divorce was inevitable, I interviewed about 20 attorneys. In talking with them, many seemed angrier than I was…. When I interviewed Geoff, his approach was strikingly different. He started by focusing on where we were (the ex had been planning the divorce for months before I clued in so we were way behind and in a bad spot). Next, he asked me to make some tough choices and to be certain that those answers were what I really wanted. Once we were sure, he laid out an intelligent strategy, focusing on when to fight and when to compromise. At the end of the process, we didn’t get everything, but [Geoff] delivered on everything that I said mattered for my family and me.” Clients rely on Geoff to assess their specific family circumstances and goals, and then formulate and execute a winning strategy to achieve a desirable outcome for them and their families. “I was very concerned that the time I spent building my career in the tech sector would hurt my chances of getting the equal custody arrangements I wanted and the time I knew my children needed with their mother. Geoff and his team outlined and delivered exactly what I needed to do to get the court to let me continue raising my kids and flourishing in my career.” Geoff’s areas of practice include all aspects of complex family law matters, including divorce and complex custody litigation, child support, business valuation, property division and alimony issues. His clients involved in large business sectors, partnerships, the legal field and family owned businesses routinely cite “…the strategy, tactics, subject matter knowledge and understanding of the details of my business…” he and his team employ to successfully represent their client’s individual interests in property distributions and business valuation awards are second to none. A prominent federal government finance executive notes “[m]y divorce was a long, difficult, contentious mess. Geoff guided me through the whole process, though, answering every question and tirelessly advocating for me. There were so many twists and turns, but Geoff knew how to handle every situation. His strategic thinking and compassion were the keys to the success of my case. But he was more than just my attorney. Somewhere along the way, Geoff became a friend. He was always genuinely concerned for me on a personal level and took the time, aside from discussing my case, to just listen and help me cope with everything. I couldn't have found a better person to help get me through the last two years.” Geoff is a true problem-solver. According to a client reviewing him on Martindale, “Geoff is a very empathetic and diligent person and attorney. His tact in suggesting acceptable solutions to emotionally charged situations and sensitivity to child issues is truly exemplary. I am truly grateful to him"

  Video: Legal Services for Divorce, Separation and Custody Matters

  Link: Legal Services for Divorce, Separation and Custody Matters

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  Helping Families Manage Through the Pain of Divorce and Custody Matters

  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 that ultimately serve the client and the best interest of minor children involved in these family disputes. A highly accomplished trial lawyer and Managing Shareholder of the prominent family law firm of Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, 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. Geoff’s intricate knowledge of complex domestic-related matters and his ability to develop effective case strategies has earned him an “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating possible from clients, peers and judges. He has been honored throughout his career with numerous awards, including top “Divorce Attorney” by Bethesda Magazine. In 2010, he received the “Section Chair of the Year” award from the Bar Association of Montgomery County. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers magazine as among the Rising Star attorneys in Maryland for the past several years. Additionally, Geoff is a leader in the Bar Association of Montgomery County’s Family Law Section, having served as chair of the group, and chair of the Association’s Continuing Legal Education Committee for two years. Currently, he holds the title of Barrister in the Montgomery County Maryland American Inn of Court, a legal organization that fosters excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility and legal skills. His experience in the courtroom enhances Geoff's innate ability to negotiate or mediate solutions for his clients outside of the courtroom. He is trained and certified in Collaborative Law Practice, a method of handling family law matters in which the parties agree to work together to resolve their disputes out of court and without litigation. Geoff has also been trained and certified as a mediator through the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers and regularly represents clients during the mediation process and frequently serves the role of mediator. Geoff strives to give back to the legal community by affiliating himself with prominent legal organizations. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Maryland Collaborative Law Association, the Montgomery County Collaborative Law Association, the Maryland State Bar Association and the Bar Association of Montgomery County. In 2012, he was named a Montgomery County Bar Foundation Leader. In the local community, Geoff is a Board of Trustees member for The Treatment and Learning Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives, and expanding possibilities, for individuals with special needs. Prior to starting his own family law firm, Geoff was an Equity Shareholder for a prominent Potomac domestic relations firm. Previously, he was a former Assistant Attorney General for the District of Columbia, where he worked in the area of child support establishment and enforcement. Geoff is a graduate of the University at Buffalo Law School, State University of New York. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland, the United States District Court of Maryland and the District of Columbia.

  Video: Helping Families Manage Through the Pain of Divorce and Custody Matters

  Link: Helping Families Manage Through the Pain of Divorce and Custody Matters