Donald S. Caruthers, Attorney

Mr. Caruthers has two law degrees: he graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1965, and received his Master of Laws in Taxation from George Washington University Law School in 1976, with highest honors. Portions of his Masters' Thesis were nationally published in two issues of the Journal of Real Estate Taxation, and he was an instructor in real estate investments at the University of Virginia, 1978-79. In 2002, he received a Certificate in Financial Planning from Florida State University, and is a Certified Financial Planner.

Mr. Caruthers was admitted to practice law in Virginia in 1965, in the District of Columbia in 1966, and in Maryland in 1984. He is currently a member of the Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia Bars.

In his early years of practice, he was a prosecuting attorney in Arlington, acquiring extensive courtroom experience. He practiced law in Arlington until 1974, in Fairfax from 1974-1987, and in Leesburg since 1987.

Over the years, he became dissatisfied with the way the legal profession often treated divorcing couples and, in 1992, he decided to explore the relatively new field of divorce mediation as an alternative to the traditional adversary process. After completing the training at Northern Virginia Mediation Service, he became impressed with the superiority of this method, and began to emphasize it in his practice. In 2000, the decision was made to limit the practice to divorce mediation. He is certified as a family law mediator by the Virginia Supreme Court.

Many of the problems faced by divorcing couples are financial rather than legal. Most lawyers are unequipped to provide financial planning assistance. To fill this need, Mr. Caruthers starting taking the necessary courses in 2000, and became a Certified Financial Planner in 2003. He now incorporates financial analysis and planning into divorce mediation, and uses the latest sophisticated software in this process.

Tax analysis is also an area that is emphasized in the process. Mr. Caruthers' second law degree in taxation, and the tax courses necessary to qualify for the Certified Financial Planning examination, enable him to assist clients in avoiding the many tax pitfalls in the divorce process.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings attest to a lawyer's legal ability and professional ethics, and reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and Judiciary. Mr. Caruthers is AV Peer-Review Rated through Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating.

Don Caruthers is a member of the Financial Planning Association, the Virginia Mediation Network, the American and Virginia Bar Associations, the Association of Trail Lawyers of America, the Virginia Trial Lawyers' Association, and the Loudoun and Fairfax County Bar Associations.