Ending a marriage often becomes a long, trickly process. If you can afford it, hiring a divorce lawyer serves your best interests. But what makes a “good divorce lawyer?” Think about all the lawyers you’ve seen on TV or in movies. Of course, there’s Atticus Finch from To Kill a …
UPDATED: This one might admittedly be a bit dated. There hasn’t been a new Grand Theft Auto game since GTA 5 in 2013–there are rumors GTA 6 is in the works, but it will likely be years before it materializes. Still, there’s no time like the present to revisit the …
Laws and regulations differ from state to state, so where you live can have a huge impact on your divorce. For example, when it comes to the division of property, Oregon uses a different approach than either of our West Coast neighbors, Washington and California. Those two are community property …
UPDATED: This probably comes as no shock, but divorce is expensive. Why? To paraphrase the old dad-joke, because it’s worth it! In all seriousness divorce often does cost a great deal of money. Many things impact the ultimate financial cost, and like most things with ending a marriage, it varies …
UPDATED: Finances often play a big role in why couples divorce. The strain of money worries can be a relationship killer. They’re also often at the forefront during the actual process. Deciding who gets what creates a ton of anxiety. Additionally, it surprises many people that, just like you split …
Ending a marriage can be a chaotic, trying time. There’s a lot going. Meetings with attorneys, mediation, forms to fill out, documents to submit, the list is practically endless. It makes things easier to have a divorce strategy in place. Creating a divorce strategy benefits you in a number of …
UPDATED: It’s no secret that divorces often become contentious. Conflict forms a big part of the proceedings. Depending on the circumstances, many involve the use of restraining orders. These court orders can be useful tools to protect people and assets, but they’re also often complicated, so it’s important to know …
Divorce tends to become complicated. If marriage is the process of combining two lives, divorce is the process of splitting them apart once again. The more assets and property there are to divide, the more complex things get. This is especially true for business owners. Business owners face a number …
UPDATED: Depositions are often useful tools in legal cases. These are sworn witness statements taken out of court, but still under oath. The courts then use the written transcripts of these statements in place of in-person testimony. It’s common to use depositions in all legal areas, including family law. During …
UPDATED: Divorce is expensive. Shocker of the year, right? Sorry to completely blow your mind like that. Kidding, of course. It surprises absolutely no one to learn that divorce costs a lot of money. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to cut down on the expenses and save during …
UPDATED: Divorce often becomes a time of high conflict. That probably doesn’t startle anyone. Hurt feelings, raging emotions, and anger all come with the territory. They also have a huge impact on how warring spouses communicate during divorce. Communication is key during divorce. It’s central to working out the division …
UPDATED: It’s been a few years now, but when Danica Patrick announced she was divorcing after seven years of marriage, headlines screamed about the seven-year itch —also known as a period of marital boredom that is accompanied by an increased likelihood for infidelity. Seven-Year Itch? The term was made famous …
People talk a lot about the 50% divorce rate—the idea that half of all marriages ultimately end in divorce. While that’s not exactly a lie, it’s not exactly the whole truth. The divorce rate is in constant flux. In fact, it’s currently the lowest it’s been in 40 years. Approximately …
UPDATED: Divorce represents a titanic life change. In short order, almost every aspect of your life undergoes a radical overhaul. The process comes with all manner of issues to deal with, from the nitty-gritty nuts and bolts of dissolving your marriage to financial worries and emotional distress. Something men often …
Did you expect to feel a sense of relief once you finally finalized your divorce? Did you anticipate an overwhelming wave of elation and well-being once you signed the divorce papers? That’s a natural expectation. After all, you’ve been waiting for this moment, building up to this for some time. …
Filing for divorce sounds like a harrowing, dramatic undertaking. Most people think of ending a marriage as a long, drawn-out process full of courtroom appearances and custody battles. Though it certainly can resemble a movie or TV show, that isn’t always the case. What Are The Steps to Filing For …
UPDATED: The importance of fathers is frequently overlooked and undervalued. They’re often shown in movies, TV, and commercials as goofy buffoons who only take care of the kids when mom has other obligations. And they usually do it poorly. This portrays many fathers as part-time parents. Or reinforces the stereotype …
UPDATE: …and new champion in 2019… Okay, maybe being crowned the divorce capital of Oregon isn’t a feat to aspire to. And this year, that dubious honor goes to Umatilla. The town of just over 7000, located near the northeastern corner of the state, took over the top spot from …
UPDATED–When you read about recent divorces, you often see “irreconcilable differences” listed as the reason for the separation. The reason that you hear this phrase so frequently is that the term comes from the modern “no-fault” divorce code. Just like it sounds, no-fault divorce means that, legally speaking, neither party …
This post has been updated. Divorce often looms on the horizon for quite some time before a couple finally pulls the trigger. In many cases, by the time they file the documents, people are emotionally prepared for the process. But being emotionally prepared and being ready in a practical sense …
You probably noticed, but kids today are busier than ever before. They’re more active and their time is far more regimented than most of us where when we were that age. Or even now, in some cases. Cluttered with extracurricular activities, social engagements, and more, it seems like they’re always …
Filling out an NCAA Tournament bracket and entering half a dozen pools is practically an American tradition. But filling out a bracket is also a daunting task. Some fans religiously pore over every word Joe Lunardi utters, track quadrant one wins, and keep tabs on conference tournament play. And after …
We call it the “divorce process” for good reason. You may be ready to end your marriage right this minute, but it’s a journey, one that takes time. How much time, however, varies. No two marriages are identical, thus no two divorces unfold the same way. In some cases, it …
“In this world nothing is certain, except death and taxes.” So goes the familiar saying often attributed to Benjamin Franklin. With that in mind, we want to remind you of the tax changes that arrived with the new year and their potential to impact divorce, specifically spousal support. While we …
Fair or not, sometimes nicknames stick and are hard to shake. A pesky nickname can follow you around for years. How many of you have a friend who will forever be “Tiny” or “Lefty” or “Gonzo”? This doesn’t just happen to people, either. To some, the month of January, all …
Divorce is often a long process full of ups and downs. It can be incredibly complex or it may play out in a straightforward fashion. You may only be able to communicate through lawyers or other third parties, but at least there’s a flow of information. Divorce is difficult enough …
The old saying goes, possession is nine-tenths of the law. That’s not exactly a legally binding statue, but the underlying idea often plays a role. One situation we see frequently involves engagement rings. One of our founding partners, Rick Jones, makes regular appearances on the Danny Bonaduce and Sarah Morning …
If you’re having marital problems, you’ve probably had at least one moment where you want to throw your spouse’s possessions on the front lawn, change the locks, and never look back. Few times are as trying and frustrating as divorce. But when you have this impulse, can you? Legally speaking? …
The old maxim goes: never talk politics or religion in polite company. It’s taken numerous forms over the years, but that’s the general gist. And it’s solid advice. People feel passionate about these topics and conversations often become heated. Friendships have ended for less. It’s one thing if friends or …
When you think about urban legends, you probably think of hook-handed madmen terrorizing teens at Makeout Point, giant alligators roaming the sewers, or the Bandage Man of Cannon Beach. They’re usually the stuff of horror movies. Stories related from one person to the next, often accepted at face value. Some …
When you marry someone, you share your life with that person, for good and ill. Every facet of your lives weave together—you create a home, have kids, mingle finances, and build a life. After a while, it’s tough to tell where one life begins and the other ends. That’s part …
When it comes to the process of ending your marriage, one of the biggest questions you need to answer is whether or not to hire a divorce lawyer. Thanks to various online tools and how-to guides, it’s now easier than ever to take a do-it-yourself approach. Sure, this strategy can …
Divorce has a huge impact on your life. It often throws your entire existence into upheaval. But it doesn’t only affect you. Children are especially susceptible to the lingering effects. One recent report indicates that children of divorce are much less likely to earn college degrees. According to a new …
Money problems ruin at least as many marriages as infidelity, probably more. Financial strain is a huge source of stress for many people, both individuals, and couples. One major area where we feel the pinch is with student loan debt. One recent study uncovers the major impact it has on …
The number of non-married couples living together has risen steadily over the course of decades. Many people use this as a kind of practice run for marriage. It makes a great deal of sense in that regard. You learn ahead of time whether or not you and your partner are …
People fight over just about everything in a divorce, from houses and cars down to boxes full of cookie cutters. Everyone thinks of bank accounts, vacation homes, stocks, bonds, retirement annuities, and the like. These are the common and obvious assets. But they’re not the only ones. Divorce settlements have …
You have many decisions to make when ending your marriage. One of the biggest is hiring a divorce lawyer. Finding the right attorney to represent you has a huge impact on your case and, subsequently, your future. One question that comes up more than you might think is whether or …
Did you know June is Men’s Health Month? As you might imagine, the goal is to raise awareness about common health issues men face and to spread knowledge about how to prevent, treat, and detect these problems. It’s important to take care of yourself and look after your health and …
By the time you finally arrive at the decision to divorce, most couples live apart. That’s just how it usually goes. Especially in high-conflict situations, it seems like a natural choice. After all, if all you do is bicker, this eliminates strife, stress, and frustration. How Can Moving Out Negatively …
Raising kids is tough, even in the best of circumstances. Raising a child with special needs only increases the challenges of parenthood. Throw divorce into the mix and it becomes a whole other world. Parents face a variety of legal and practical concerns. Best Interests of Special Needs Children You …
No two divorces are ever the same. What ruins one relationship doesn’t necessarily cause the same havoc in another. And it’s crazy to see what unexpected factors increase risks of divorce. For example, did you know a long daily commute intensifies your chances of splitting up? While it may sound …
Divorce often turn crazy and twisted, but hopefully, yours doesn’t get this nuts. In Port Orchard, Washington, a man recently pleaded guilty to perjury and forgery in one of the most bizarre divorce stories we’ve heard in a while. And it just keeps getting weirder as it develops. It’s like …
Divorce comes with any number of expenses. You have court costs, filing fees, an attorney to pay, and even a change in tax status. Those are the obvious ones, but there are others. In many cases, you need to find a new place to live. Perhaps your custody arrangement necessitates …
By now we’re all aware that cigarette smoking carries certain potential health hazards. That’s not news to anyone. You can’t even watch prime time TV without constant reminders. But it may also carry one unexpected danger, it may lead you down the road to divorce. As it turns out, quitting …
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, we’re not talking about Christmas or New Year’s. We’re talking about March Madness. Once again, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is HERE! And once again, Goldberg Jones is running our annual March Madness Bracket Challenge. This year, the champ walks away …
People move on after divorce in all kinds of ways. Ending a marriage is a big deal and a major milestone. It’s a time to examine what you have and where you are. Perhaps even more important, it’s a time to look at what you want and where you want …
We see it all the time on the news and the covers of the trashy gossip magazines we pretend we don’t read waiting in line at the grocery store. Some celebrity power couple is finally tying the knot! It’s about time. But don’t worry, they’re being smart and have an …
A lot goes into a relationship between two people. Navigating interpersonal affairs often resembles a high-wire act. At a basic level, however, marriage is relatively simple. You either are or you aren’t, right? You may try to block it out, but no one forgets their wedding day. But what if …
Many factors contribute to the end of a marriage. Age, job, income, education, children, family history, and more. Just about any element you care to look at can be shown to impact divorce statistically. This includes where you live. Laws governing divorce vary a great deal from one state to …
Couples divorce for an endless number of reasons. People cheat, lie, and change over time. The reasons are as different and wide-reaching as the reasons people fall in love and get married in the first place. But are certain people biologically predisposed to divorce? Is divorce genetic? Do parents hand …
Whatever your business, you pour your heart and hard work into these ventures. They not only represent your passions and drives, but they’re also practical concerns. The process of ending a marriage is already a snarl of shared assets, parenting plans, and more. When there’s a business during divorce, it …
Marriage isn’t always sunshine and puppy dogs. It takes a lot of work, time, effort, and often struggle. And still, it doesn’t always work out. Try with all your might, sometimes you just can’t make a marriage work. But when it’s time to pull the plug, you face one massive …
Unfortunately, it happens, but love doesn’t always last. When you got married, you probably meant every word of “’til death do us part.” However, it doesn’t always work out like that. People grow apart for countless reasons. But when your spouse says she doesn’t love you anymore, what do you …
One of the biggest questions you’ll ask yourself while ending a marriage is whether or not you need a divorce lawyer. No two divorces are ever the same, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on the specific circumstances of your case. But what if your spouse hires one? …
People often look for any advantage they can find when it comes to divorce. For a process known to be contentious and full of conflict, this makes sense. In some cases, ending a marriage resembles open warfare. Many maneuvers and strategies can do provide an edge. Does Who Files First …
Over the course of the process, divorce tends to get messy and complicated. In straightforward, low-conflict cases, things may progress smoothly. But with forms to fill out, appointments to appear at, and many other moving parts, it doesn’t take much for problems to arise. And that doesn’t even take flaring …
As the school year winds down, graduation takes center stage for many families. Finishing high school represents a significant milestone. It often signifies the end of one chapter in a young person’s life and the beginning of the next. For this, among other reasons, it’s important to celebrate. But like …
These days, it’s easier than ever to get divorced. You can find the forms online, fill them out yourself, and if you follow the proper procedure, end your marriage. This do-it-yourself approach works like gangbusters in some situations, but not for others. At some point in the process, you need …
Divorce is often a long, complicated process. Between warring spouses, opposing counsel, judges, negotiations, and a nearly endless parade of paperwork, there are a lot of moving parts to contend with. With so much to juggle, it’s easy to get tripped up. Common Mistakes Some are practical in nature. Others …
The common refrain is that the divorce rate in the United States hovers around the 50% mark, except it doesn’t, and never has. In reality, the divorce rate is lower than it’s been in years and has been on a steady if gradual decline. An interesting exercise is to look …
For most of us, a house is the biggest purchase we’ll ever make. It’s a huge commitment in money, time, resources, emotions, and more. Because it’s the most valuable thing we own, it often becomes a big issue in ending a marriage. The question often comes up of whether or …
Divorce signals the end of a relationship. Whatever the reasons, it just didn’t work out, and divorce makes that final and official. For all intents and purposes, your marriage may have been over for a long time and the divorce process often feels like a waiting period. By this point, …
Over the course of a marriage, two lives become intertwined. The longer the marriage, the more interwoven they become. When it comes to divorce, shorter marriages are understandably usually much more straightforward. In the case of ending long-term marriages, however, it’s much more complex as there’s often a great deal …
This post has been updated. Divorce is a long, drawn-out process. It involves countless court dates, meetings with lawyers, and an endless back and forth as the two spouses bicker over every last detail. At least that’s what many people expect. But that’s not always how it goes. In certain …
Making the choice to file for divorce is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. It’s up there with getting married in the first place, having kids, and buying a house in the life-changing department. Once you head down that path, you also have a ton of subsequent important …
With the spread of online guides and resources, do-it-yourself divorce has never been more accessible. What is “Pro Se Divorce”? From a legal perspective, the term for representing yourself is pro se. It comes from Latin and means “for oneself.” While not exclusive to divorce, a pro se approach is …
When most of us think of a prenuptial agreement, we think of wealthy couples with more money than we can ever dream of. We’re talking about celebrities, rock stars, professional athletes, titans of industry, and Hollywood A-listers. After all, those folks have tons of assets to protect. So prenups are …
Countless factors contribute to the end of a marriage. Every situation unfolds differently, but one element that too often plays into divorce is substance abuse. Often hugely detrimental to relationships, the question remains of how substance abuse impacts divorce. Addiction to alcohol, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and more affects millions …
Ending a marriage is a huge decision. It’s a choice that impacts every facet of your life. Divorce is the most obvious option when a relationship is over, but in some cases, it’s not the best one. There are situations where staying married, but separating might work. It begs the …
Looking at divorce statistics often gets overwhelming. It’s harrowing to hear that oft-repeated statement that 50% of marriages end in divorce. The 50% figure is not accurate and has never reached that level. Sometimes it’s tough to interpret the raw numbers and determine what they really mean. With that in …
Divorce has a significant impact on your financial future. In some unions, the dissolution of marriage and division of property are relatively simple. Especially in short marriages where there’s little to divvy up. The more there is to do, however, the more complicated the process becomes. There’s a great deal …
Getting divorced is a daunting task and an intimidating proposition. In many, if not most cases, hiring an experienced attorney to help you through the process is a sound strategy. That in itself can be an overwhelming experience. Finding the right lawyer—more specifically, the right lawyer for you and your …
Divorce is usually a time of great upheaval. It may absolutely be the right decision, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In a relatively short span, your entire life changes, and it can be a frightening, uncertain experience. There’s a great deal to consider about marriage and divorce. And not …
Despite what we see in movies and on TV, divorce and child custody cases don’t always go to court. Those situations certainly make for compelling fictional drama, but in reality, a variety of options exist beyond litigation. Called Alternate Dispute Resolution, or ADR, these strategies provide alternatives to trial. One …
All divorces are different. While they can progress in a smooth, amicable fashion, they also tend to devolve into contentious, bitter courtroom slugfests. How it goes depends entirely on the specifics of your marriage and relationship. All of this, however, presumes that you can find your spouse in the first …
This post has been updated. The short, quick answer is NO, Oregon is NOT a community property state. The division of property in a divorce has a substantial impact on your financial situation moving forward. Regulations vary a great deal from one state to the next, so where you live …
People divorce for all kinds of reasons and each case has its own individual story to tell. Sometimes it takes the form of a gradual breakdown, spouses often separate ahead of time, and occasionally one party simply up and leaves. This begs the question: How does abandonment impact divorce? What …
People love to celebrate. We’ll take any excuse to throw a party, whether it’s a holiday, a promotion at work, or the Trailblazers making a playoff run. While we usually think of ending a marriage as a serious, somber affair, that’s not always the case. Increasingly, many people take the …
Over the course of a marriage, two lives become inexorably entwined, and divorce is the process of untangling them. A relatively straightforward feat in shorter unions, the longer you and your spouse stay together, the messier things get. Social Security and Divorce For marriages over ten years, one thing to …
On a basic level, a writ of assistance is a written court order that instructs law enforcement, such as a sheriff or police officer, to take action to help one party obtain something specifically ordered in a previous court order. Essentially, this new order helps enforce a pre-existing order. When it comes to family law, there are a number of ways this can manifest.
One statistic tossed around frequently is that 50% of all marriages end in divorce. The number varies a bit, but the gist is that roughly half of weddings have a corresponding divorce waiting. As ubiquitous as this figure is, many just accept it as fact. Has the divorce rate ever …
Filing for divorce can be a long, intricate process. There are hearings, mediation, meetings with attorneys, arbitration, custody disputes, division of property, and more. And then there are the divorce forms to contend with. We’re talking paperwork on top of paperwork. All of this can be overwhelming. On a basic …
Attorneys are subject to a variety of rules, regulations, and stipulations when it comes to offering divorce and legal advice. Without an actual consultation, we can’t offer any concrete divorce legal advice. Beyond that, every situation is different. No single recommendation will fit every case. Without examining the specifics, it’s …
Divorce is a huge deal. It makes sense that, once you come to this decision, you’ll confide in people close to you. It also makes sense that these people who care about you and your well-being will want to help in any way they can. Lots of people are quick …
Many of us who own pets know that they are much more than just property. They may be valued members of our family and in some cases, even surrogate children. The law, however, often views them as possessions and treated as such. That is changing, however. A recent case the …
Divorce is usually a private matter. Sure, your friends and family know what you’re going through, but most people don’t broadcast that news to the general public. As social media has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, that has changed—it’s remarkable what some people choose to share online. Another …
Divorce can have a massive impact on your life in many ways. In a relatively short span, your living situation, relationship status, and how much time you get to spend with your children may all undergo a titanic shift. One of the biggest consequences can be the financial impact of …
Many factors play a role in causing a divorce. Adultery can be a big one. Infidelity often has a destructive, devastating impact on a marriage. It’s a huge breach of trust, and in many cases, perhaps even most, if one spouse is caught having an affair, it leads to the …
Divorce is not easy for anyone. It may be the right choice, it may be what needs to happen, but that doesn’t make it simple or comfortable. Men and women face a number of different issues during the dissolution of a marriage, from the tangible, concrete, down and dirty details—things …
This may come as a shocking revelation, but divorce costs can add up quickly. There are charges and fees along every step of the way, from filing the initial paperwork and hiring an attorney to relevant court costs and a variety of expenditures that continue even after the process is complete. …
The “selfie” has become ubiquitous part of pop culture. It has become so pervasive that it has spawned a category of accessories (the selfie-stick) and sub-genres including “the gym selfie”, “the car selfie”, and now “divorce selfies”. There has been speculation that the rise of the selfie is a …
How to start a conversation. If you are recently divorced or just starting the divorce process, making small talk with extended family members, acquaintances, and strangers can be difficult —it’s common for men to wonder how to talk to people. We recently came across an article on one of our …
Even if a couple isn’t married, there are legal matters they need to navigate when dissolving a domestic partnership. Portland divorce attorney Colin Amos fielded questions on maneuvering through that tricky terrain. Scenario 1: The first question he tackled: “My girlfriend and I are breaking up. We have been together …