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 …
The Movie A retired Delta Force operator, John Matrix frequently packs a rocket launcher, a tactical vest covered with grenades, and enough firepower to invade the small, fictional Latin American nation. He’s not necessarily the guy who first springs to mind when you think father-of-the-year. But this is precisely what …
UPDATED: The things you do have consequences. Your past can come back to bite you in a variety of ways. But how do your choices play into child custody disputes, especially when you’ve taken steps to correct earlier mistakes? Our managing attorney, Colin Amos, has made appearances on the radio …
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 …
UPDATED: In the media, we hear a great deal about the problems dads who lose their jobs face. Many become stuck in situations where they can no longer afford to make child support payments. They’re often labeled “deadbeat dads.” After months of failing to pay, the courts may find these …
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 …
It’s the middle of February and you’ve probably noticed store displays full of various sized hearts, pink everything, and chocolate as far as the eye can see. That’s right, Valentine’s Day is almost here again. A romantic holiday can be lonely for the newly divorced, but there are still ways …
UPDATE: What About Vaping? More and more, instead of smoking marijuana, people choose to vape. This option has ballooned in popularity. As opposed to burning the marijuana and inhaling the smoke, a device heats the cannabis until it releases the active ingredients, which are then inhaled. There’s a debate about …
“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 hard on everyone, especially kids. No one wants to watch their parents split up. It’s hard for everyone, and it can also turn dangerous. What can you do if your ex’s actions put your kids in harm’s way? Our founding partner, Rick Jones, regularly stops by the Danny …
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. What happens if you …
Most of the time, we think about custody and visitation issues as only involving parents. That’s how it goes most of the time. But grandparents also often play an integral part in raising children. A parenting plan lays out the custody arrangement after a divorce or split. This document details …
After divorce, child support is often one of the biggest continuing expenses many fathers face. These court-ordered payments provide for the needs of your kids. In many cases, one parent pays a certain percentage, while the other covers the rest. But what if your ex won’t pay her share? Rick …
Child support tends to get tricky. There’s a formula involved, but it accounts for many factors. Of course, the income of both parents, as well as level of need, figure prominently into the final amount. Like most court orders, once in place, child support is difficult to modify, though it …
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. But in increasingly divided times, it’s …
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 …
It’s the spookiest time of the year. The leaves have changed, the nights grow longer, and Halloween lurks right around the corner. There’s always been something about this season that leads people to marathon horror movies. Maybe it’s the general darkness, that the weather’s bad so staying inside makes more …
Goldberg Jones is pleased and excited to welcome the newest member of our Portland team: Hank Pailet. He’s a fantastic addition to the firm and will be a valuable resource for the husbands and fathers of Multnomah County and the surrounding areas. A knowledgeable, seasoned divorce lawyer, Hank is dedicated …
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 …
Child custody is a big part of what we do here at Goldberg Jones. As divorce lawyers, custody plays a huge role in the process. Many of our clients are married, but a significant portion aren’t. This leads to a question we hear all the time: what parental rights do …
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 …
Goldberg Jones would like to take this opportunity to welcome the newest member of our Portland team of divorce lawyers. Say hello to Victoria Hines! A competitive, dedicated family law attorney, Victoria Hines has an eye for detail and always follows through for her clients. She is a strong advocate, …
It’s probably best not to think about how August is already coming to a close, that the kids are getting ready to head back to school (or may already be there), and wonder where the summer went. That’s not good for anyone’s state of mind. But don’t worry. Just because …
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 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 a …
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 …
Father’s Day is almost here. We’re also right in the thick of baseball season. We may not have an MLB team in Portland yet, but that doesn’t mean we’re not fans. One of our other favorite Father’s Day traditions is watching movies with the old man. Following that line of …
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. Moving out probably looks like …
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. Related Reading: 7 Divorce Urban Legends People …
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 plead guilty 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 a …
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 talk a lot about divorce and child custody cases. The two often go hand in hand. But not always. Many couples have children without a wedding first. For some, it’s a choice. For others, it just happens. Whatever the situation, the question arises: Rights of Unmarried Parents? The short …
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 …
This post has been updated. In the wake of divorce, you face many expenses. Ending your marriage may be the absolute right choice, but it rarely comes easy or cheap. One of the biggest continuing costs many men encounter is spousal support. Like many court orders, once in place, these …
In the wake of divorce, custody disputes often become the most harrowing part of the process. You love your kids and want the best for them, and the thought of not being around for them is terrifying. How Is Custody Decided? Countless factors play into the court’s ultimate decision about …
It’s already December somehow. Though there’s no telling yet if we’re going to have a white Christmas, holiday cheer has already invaded Portland big time. Lights and decorations shine brightly at night, we’re thinking about working on our shopping lists, and the tree is already up at Pioneer Courthouse Square. …
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 …
Thanksgiving is upon us. Though it’s traditionally full of family, friends, and other loved ones, this time of year is often tough for newly divorced dads. You may feel alone, especially if you don’t have your kids for the holiday. But there are ways to cope and survive what can …
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 …
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 tend …
Couples divorce for an endless number of reasons. People cheat, people lie, people 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 …
Almost all of you have jobs. Some of you own your own businesses. Whatever the profession, you pour your heart and soul and hard work into these ventures. They not only represent your passions and drives, they’re also practical concerns. After all, that’s how you make money to live and …
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 …
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, we don’t mean Christmas, Thanksgiving, or St. Patrick’s Day. No, we’re talking about football. The NFL season is right around the corner, and with it comes fantasy football. We’re all neck deep in statistics and metrics, reading articles, and keeping up …
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 …
It’s hard to believe it’s almost time for the kids to go back to school. Depending on where you live, it may have already happened. It’s always tough for the kids to give up the freedom of summer break and return to the classroom. But it’s often equally difficult for …
It’s somehow already almost the end of summer. August crept up on us, stores are advertising back-to-school sales, and the kids are already dreading the return to the classroom. You may wonder where the summer went—it happens to all of us. But don’t worry, there’s still time to squeeze in …
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 …
Goldberg Jones would like to welcome the latest addition to our Portland team: Steve O’Hagan. He’s an experienced attorney, a strong advocate for his clients, and a valuable resource for the husbands and fathers of Portland and the surrounding areas. A tenacious litigator, Steve serves the best interests of his …
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 …
Father’s Day is upon us once again, the holiday where we celebrate dads and everything they do for us. There are countless ways to mark the occasion. It’s almost officially summer, the weather’s getting better day-to-day, and barbecues and baseball games are classic ways to spend a sunny afternoon. But …
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 …
We’ve all heard, “It’s funny because it’s true,” or some variation of the saying. And that certainly goes for what comedian, actor, Saturday Night Live veteran, and overall comic treasure Dana Carvey has to say about the rise of gray divorce. It’s hilarious for sure, but also insightful and all …
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 …
Our worlds often revolve around our children. We love our kids, which is why child custody cases can grow so heated, raw, and emotional. It’s also why establishing paternity and paternity fraud are such big issues when it comes to family law. Child custody cases are complicated and contentious. There …
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 …
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 …
As traumatic and painful as divorce is for the adults involved, when a couple has kids, it’s often even more intense for them. A parental split drastically alters a child’s entire world. Divorce often arrives with changing living situations, new schools, and uncertainty. Siblings often lean on each other to …
During divorce and breakups, child custody battles often become heated and contentious affairs. In some situations in Oregon, the court may issue temporary orders lasting the duration of a case. This may include temporary custody arrangements or even implement temporary child support. If a child is in immediate danger, emergency …
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 …
It’s difficult to talk about, and many couples keep it hidden, but mental illness impacts every facet of a person’s life, as well as those around them. It often has a devastating influence on a relationship or marriage. Not only does it frequently lead to divorce, mental illness impacts child …
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, may work. It begs the …
The cast of MTV’s Teen Mom franchise has had a rough time. Then again, without the drama, millions of viewers probably wouldn’t tune in every week. Teen Mom 2’s Jenelle Evans has been embroiled in a heated custody battle. At the same time, she had assault charges filed against her. …
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 however – here’s why Sometimes it’s tough to interpret the raw numbers and determine what they really mean. With that in mind, let’s …
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 …
Families come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. Most often parents are involved in a child’s life, but that’s not always the case. In some situations, grandparents wind up raising another generation of kids. They may be the only parents a child ever knows. Often this results from a parent …
Portland already had its first snowfall of the year, but only time will tell if there’s a white Christmas in store. But even if that doesn’t happen, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate holiday cheer around town. If you’re like us, you probably have a ton going on …
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 …
So you, your family, and friends just polished off a 17-pound turkey, the last bit of cranberry sauce in town, and all the potatoes Idaho produced last year. Football’s done for the day. People are cleaning up after the parades. What do you do now? As the tryptophan courses through …
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 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 place. …
For those of us who are parents, our children are the most important part of our lives. We do just about anything to keep them safe and put their well-being ahead of our own. When it comes to divorce, both parents remain responsible for sustaining any children, and part of …
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 …