Geoffrey S. Platnick

Geoffrey S. Platnick

Modern Family Law Firm Managing Partner - Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield
  • Divorce, Family Law, Domestic Violence
  • District of Columbia, Maryland
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Biography

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.

Practice Areas
    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
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
District of Columbia
District of Columbia Bar
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Maryland
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
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.
Education
SUNY Buffalo Law School
J.D. (2002) | Law
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West Virginia University
B.A. (1991) | Communications
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Awards
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
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America
AV Preeminent Attorney
Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyer in America
AV Preeminent Attorney
Martindale-Hubbell
AV Preeminent Attorney
Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyer
Best Lawyer in America
Best Lawyer
Best Lawyers in America
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
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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Publications
Articles & Publications
The Daily Record's 2022 Family Law Power List
The Daily Record
Certifications
Licensed to Practice Law
Washington, DC Court of Appeals
Licensed to Practice Law
Maryland Court of Appeals
Websites & Blogs
Website
Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C.
Website
Maryland Divorce Hub
Blog
Washington DC Divorce Hub
Videos
In Maryland and DC, legal custody pertains to a parent’s decision-making authority regarding a child's health, education and religious upbringing. Legal custody can be sole or joint. While physical custody is about where the child lives and a schedule of access for spending overnights with each parent. Residential custody can be shared or sole. Sole residential custody means a child resides primarily with one parent. What are the differences between joint and sole child custody?

In Maryland and DC, legal custody pertains to a parent’s decision-making authority regarding a child's health, education and religious upbringing. Legal custody can be sole or joint. While physical custody is about where the child lives and a schedule of access for spending overnights with each parent. Residential custody can be shared or sole. Sole residential custody means a child resides primarily with one parent.

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 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.

This video will help the viewer understand when a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement can override normal property division and support rules. 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? There are a number of ways to take children’s preferences into account during contested custody cases. Watch this short video from Geoffrey Platnick to learn how a child's preferences can be considered during a custody dispute in Maryland or Washington, DC. 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’s preferences into account during contested custody cases. Watch this short video from Geoffrey Platnick to learn how a child's preferences can be considered during a custody dispute in Maryland or Washington, DC.

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 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.

During a divorce in Maryland or Washington, DC valuable and tangible assets are valued according to a specific set of rules. 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.

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 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.

Maryland child support guidelines are formula calculations applied by the court to determine the amount of child support paid between parents when the parents’ combined income is $15,000 or less per month. 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’ combined income is $15,000 or less per month.

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. 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.

If both spouses want to keep the same property -- the marital home for example – who can keep it depends how the property is titled. If the home is titled in one spouse's name, then only that spouse can keep the home because the court does not have the authority to transfer a home titled from one spouse's name to the other spouse. But all is not lost in this case regarding the home, having the home titled in only one spouse’s name does not mean it is not subject to equitable division. 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 – who can keep it depends how the property is titled. If the home is titled in one spouse's name, then only that spouse can keep the home because the court does not have the authority to transfer a home titled from one spouse's name to the other spouse. But all is not lost in this case regarding the home, having the home titled in only one spouse’s name does not mean it is not subject to equitable division.

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 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.

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. 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.

Contact & Map
Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield
1201 Seven Locks Road
Suite 360-7A
Potomac, MD 20854
Telephone: (301) 617-0404
Fax: (240) 406-4390
Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed