Email: rcolten@bklawva.com 703-691-1235 (Office)
Professional Honors & Activities
With more than four decades of experience in complex problem-solving in domestic relations and family law, Richard Colten provides discreet, comprehensive and zealous client representation through negotiation, mediation/arbitration, and litigation at both trial and appellate court levels. Recognizing that clients dealing with domestic relations issues are often undergoing emotional turmoil and situational disruptions that greatly impact their lives, he offers reasoned and expert legal advice, suggests strategy, and proposes alternative courses of action to steer a case through dispute resolution with both a high degree of professional skill and personal understanding and compassion. His background and know-how enable him often to craft innovative approaches leading to resourceful solutions to difficult issues.
Dick Colten employs a team approach to the practice of domestic relations law that puts the needs and best interests of the client at the forefront of his representation. Experience having shown that a well-informed and involved client is a valuable asset in achieving the best outcome, he informs clients about the laws and procedures that will govern the conduct of their cases and invites their participation in all appropriate respects. With additional skilled practitioners in diverse legal disciplines within the firm available to consult as appropriate, and a roster of prominent outside business, vocational, valuation and other experts accessible as needed, Dick vigorously and creatively guides clients through difficult and often confusing personal and family matters.
Domestic relations law in Virginia encompasses a wide range of issues of importance to individuals and families. Dick is pleased to offer representation in areas arising from traditional marital concerns, such as divorce; annulment; custody; parent relocation; parental child abduction; child and spousal support; and property distribution. He also assists clients in post-divorce enforcement issues, as well as such matters as marital planning through negotiation and preparation of pre-marital and marital contracts; establishing child parentage; civil actions involving proceedings for desertion and nonsupport; obtaining or defending against protective orders; and child custody or visitation by grandparents or other third parties having a legitimate interest.
As a result of the recent landmark decisions of the United States Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Bostic v. Schaefer, same sex couples, theretofore denied the right of and access to marriage in Virginia, may now wed. They face the same concerns and must deal with the same issues arising under domestic relations law as do heterosexual couples, but with little established Virginia precedent directly on point to guide them. Dick Colten is experienced and well qualified to assist with such matters and invites your questions.
Richard J. Colten holds an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest possible rating awarded by both peers and members of the judiciary, for his legal ability and ethical standards.
Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of family law in Virginia every year since 1989
Consistently recognized as one of the area's top divorce lawyers in Washingtonian magazine, in both the Virginia and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area editions of Super Lawyers magazine, in Northern Virginia magazine, and in other print and online publications
Martindale-Hubbell AV rated attorney for more than 30 years
Listed among Virginia Business magazine's "Legal Elite" for Family Law
Named by BestofUS.com to its list of Best Professional Service Providers in the U.S.
Recognized by American Registry as among the top 1% of America's Most Honored Professionals
Bar Associations
Sections on Family Law and Law Office Management
Virginia State Bar
Sections on Family Law, Economics and Law Office Management
Member, Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board by appointment of the Virginia Supreme Court (1997-2003; 2009-2018)
Member, Virginia Bar Council for the Nineteenth Judicial District (1989-1995;2004-2009)
Member, Judicial Nominations Committee (1996-1999)
Member, Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline (1995-1997)
Member, Tenth District Grievance Committee (1985-1988)
Fairfax County Bar Association
Family Law Committee
Member, Board of Directors (1981-1994)
Member, Public Service Committee (1996-1998)
Member, Professionalism Committee (1995)
General District Courts Committee (Member 1981-1987; Secretary 1983-1987)
Grievance Committee (Member 1978-1981; Chair 1978-1980)
Northern Virginia Women's Bar Association
Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Frequent Guest Lecturer, Second Saturday® Divorce Workshop
A strong proponent of community service, Dick Colten throughout his career has served the legal profession and the community through his support of and participation in community service organizations and endeavors. He was a Substitute Judge of the General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts for Virginia's Nineteenth Judicial District for twelve years. He is a Commissioner in Chancery and a Conciliator and Neutral Case Evaluator for equitable distribution cases in the Fairfax County Circuit Court and sits, on occasion, as a Circuit Court Judge Pro Tempore by judicial appointment. Dick is a former director of the Fairfax County Legal Aid Society (1976-1979) and Legal Services of Northern Virginia (1996-2010).
Supreme Court of the United States (1976)
Virginia Supreme Court (1972)
George Washington University Law School, 1972
American University, 1965