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 more and more insane as it develops. It’s like a how-to book about how not to handle divorce. Brian Kimmell forged his then-wife’s signature on divorce papers. Here’s the strange part, they …
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 buying a new car to shuttle kids back and forth. These are just a few situations that can lead you to make a major purchase. …
At the tail end of 2017, the Republican-led Congress passed a massive new tax plan. Much has been said about the contents, and experts in the field have analyzed every last word. Deductions, retirement, and even private jet ownership will feel these changes when they take effect. It reaches into most aspects of American life, which includes divorce. More specifically, the new tax plan lays the groundwork for major changes to spousal support. An AP …
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 may not just save your life, it may also help salvage your family and marriage. At least according to the researchers at Melbourne University. Check …
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 all that, we usually get dusted by someone who made every pick based on mascot ferocity or head coach wife hotness. You have to choose …
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 with a $250 Amazon gift card! Want to get in on the March Madness action? Follow THIS LINK, fill out a bracket, and, since you’ve …
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 to go. Some people throw parties when they sign their divorce papers. Others plan epic trips to places they’ve always wanted to go. Still more …
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, what rights do unmarried parents have when it comes to child custody? The short answer is: unmarried parents have the same rights as married parents in Oregon. Of course, there’s more …
Oregon has multiple capitals. Salem, of course, is the actual state capital, but we’re talking about a different, less official type. For example, Roseburg is the “Timber Capital of the Nation” and Cottage Grove is the “Covered Bridge Capital of Oregon.” If you’ve driven along I-5, you’ve probably seen the billboard proclaiming Linn County the “Grass Seed Capital of the World.” Travel Portland recently declared the city the “Beer Capital of the World.” Bold claims …
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 elaborate prenuptial agreement in place to protect themselves. We were all worried there for a second. Beyonce and Jay-Z have an agreement that details custody, …
UPDATE: The sweeping new tax plan Congress passed at the end of 2017 will impact almost everyone. This includes changes to divorce settlements, specifically those involving spousal support. Beginning January 1, 2019, on new court orders that include spousal support provisions, the party paying spousal support will no longer be able to deduct this amount. At the same time, the recipient will no longer have to pay taxes on this amount. As it currently stands, …
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 31 days, has become known as “Divorce Month.” The idea is that more couples pursue divorce in the days that immediately follow the New Year. …
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. Countless factors play into the court’s ultimate decision about parenting plans and visitation and every case plays out in a different way depending on the kids, their age, you and your ex, where you live, and even the …
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. This time of year, most of us have a thousand things going on. We have plans to finalize, preparations to make, and the kids not …
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 you don’t really have a wedding? What if you didn’t really get married? People toss the term common-law marriage around quite a bit. It happens …
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 be a difficult time. Most custody arrangements split major holidays between the parents. Part of establishing the parenting plan during divorce usually involves hashing this …
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 the next, but a new report examines which state has the highest divorce rate. Looking at the most current data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s …
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 sense, or it’s just fun to sit through cinematic scares. It’s also a game the whole family can play. With that in mind, here are …
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 to overlook in this process, but that has a huge overall impact, are health issues that arise when ending a marriage. Saying goodnight to a …
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 hand divorce down from one generation to the next? That may sound crazy, but one recent study suggests genetic makeup plays a much larger role …
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 support your family. Ending a marriage is complicated enough in the most straightforward situations, but when you have to deal with a business during divorce, …
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 obstacle: how do you ask for a divorce? This is an uncomfortable conversation, but an important first step. In reality, asking for divorce represents a …
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 important to think about how politics and divorce intersect. It’s one thing if friends or coworkers have drastically different political beliefs. This can lead to …
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 to date on injuries as we prepare for our drafts. Most of us probably think of fantasy football as an excuse to watch every game, …
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 next? That’s a difficult thing to hear. It comes with all manner of psychological and emotional ramifications. That, however, is not our area of expertise. What …
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 the parents, especially newly divorced dads. Adjusting takes time, but we’ve got some tips that may help. The start of a new school year often …
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 more seasonal adventures before kids go back to school. One of the great benefits of living where we do is the wealth of events and …
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? In that case, should you hire a divorce lawyer too? The short answer is yes. If your spouse hires a divorce lawyer, it’s in your …
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. One question that frequently comes up is whether or not to file for divorce first. Many people believe that if you file for divorce first, it gives you an …
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 clients through a combination of thorough preparation and quick thinking. His passion for the law comes from his desire to help people through difficult times. …
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 emotions into account. It’s important to pay attention to the details and the small stuff so you don’t get tripped up. With all that can …
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 one of our most cherished Father’s Day traditions is watching movies with the old man. (Or with the kids if you’re the old man.) With …
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 many other situations, graduation season gets tough when it involves divorced parents. When parents aren’t together, graduation often turns into a minefield. Hopefully, both parties …
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 to ask yourself if you should hire a divorce lawyer. You have a lot of choices to make during this time, and deciding whether or …
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. Keeping that in mind, here are eight common mistakes men make in divorce. Some are practical in nature. Others involve simple things like self-care that too often get missed along the way. 1. …
The common refrain is that the divorce rate in the United States hovers around the 50% mark. That’s an oversimplification of a much more complex idea. (You can read more about it HERE if you’re so inclined.) 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 at the divorce by generation and investigate the changing views. There …
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 not to sell your home during divorce. This situation generally plays out in one of three ways. First, one party buys out the other and keeps …
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 are parenting plans and visitation to arrange, child support payments to determine, and more. Issues of paternity only further muddy the waters. At best, it …
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, many people want to get out there and explore new romantic possibilities. But the question arises: does dating during divorce hurt your case? Once you …
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 to unravel. People end long-term marriages for a variety of reasons. Gray divorce, divorce over the age of 50, has been on the rise over …
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 situations, summary dissolution may be a quick and easy way to end a marriage. Though some couples find it useful, in order to qualify for summary dissolution in Oregon, …
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 decisions to make. This includes where you file for divorce. As it turns out, jurisdiction has a huge impact on what follows. Filling out all …
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 make it through these tough times. But during the process, the question often comes up: Will the court order split custody and separate siblings in …
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 orders remove them from such potential harm. However, if you’re trying to keep a child’s living situation and routine in place, a status quo order …
With the spread of online guides and resources, do-it-yourself divorce has never been more accessible. 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 common in the dissolution of marriage. There are, however, many factors to consider. When is DIY divorce your best option? When is it not? What are some common risks and …
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 custody in significant ways. Cases involving mental illness are notoriously tricky. Mental illness is a broad name that encompasses a wide array of disorders. This …
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 just for the super rich, right? Though that’s a common perception, that’s not necessarily the case. At some point before saying, “I do,” you should …
Legalized marijuana has been a game changer in the increasing number of states to sanction cannabis. In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to allow adults to possess small amounts for recreational use. It took a few tries, but Oregon followed suit in 2014 when a vote approved Ballot Measure 91. While this has been great for business, taxes, criminal proceedings, and general fun and games, it opened up a metaphorical can of …
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 are two different things. Ending a marriage is a tricky proposition, and creating a divorce strategy ahead of time often helps people through the process. There are a number of …
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 of people and often has a catastrophic effect on families. Beyond personal problems, substance abuse impacts divorce and the divorce process in a number of …
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 question whether divorce or separation is right for you? While it may seem like a strange choice, in some cases, legal separation has definite benefits. …
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. It’s a saga truly worthy of reality TV, but it raises the question of how criminal charges impact child custody. These assault charges hung over …
Looking at divorce statistics often gets overwhelming. It’s harrowing to hear that oft-repeated statement that 50% of marriages end in divorce. Sometimes it’s tough to interpret the raw numbers and determine what they really mean. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some interesting, useful, or just downright surprising divorce statistics and see if we can provide any context. The Basic Divorce Statistics The median ages for first marriages in the United States …
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 at stake in most cases, but high asset divorce ups the ante even further. On a legal and conceptual level, there’s no difference between big …
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 battling mental health or substance abuse problems and leaving a child in the care of a grandparent for an extended amount of time. But what …
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 this time of year. There’s shopping to do and festivities to plan, and the kids being out of school only complicates matters. This tends to …
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. On a basic level, however, how to file for divorce in Oregon isn’t nearly as complicated as many assume. There’s a definite process to follow, but in reality, the steps to divorce …
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 case—is tough on its own. And then you have to meet with your attorney. Fortunately, there are ways to prepare for your initial consultation. Remember …
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 to add fuel to the fire, but here are some scary divorce facts to be aware of. Some are interesting, others may be useful to …
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 your veins and your body tackles the Herculean task of digestion, physical activity is off the table. You know what sounds perfect? Settling back into …
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 of the most common is mediation. What Is Mediation? Mediation is a process used in civil cases like divorce and child custody disputes. The two …
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. But what if you can’t? Can you get a divorce if you can’t find your spouse? The short answer is: yes, you can still get …
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 often takes the form of Oregon child support. These ongoing payments are designed to provide for the continuing financial benefit of any minor children. …
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 also influences this step. Our West Coast neighbors, Washington and California, both use the community property model. As a result, the question often arises, is Oregon a community property state? The short, quick answer is no, Oregon is not a community property state. …
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 Constitutes Abandonment? While the idea of abandonment seems obvious at first glance, from a legal perspective, it isn’t so cut and dried. Most people probably …
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 occasion as an excuse to celebrate divorce. It’s difficult to end a marriage, and it usually alters your life in almost every way. Even when …
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. For marriages over ten years, one thing to be aware of is how divorce impacts Social Security. You may be eligible to receive benefits based on your former spouse’s employment history. Here’s what you need to know. …
In general, the law recognizes maintaining close relationships with both parents serves the best interests of children following divorce. This isn’t always easy. Custody arrangements, parenting plans, schedules, and continuing conflict between exes can all derail parenting time. And circumstances often change. But what happens when the custodial parent wants to relocate? Here’s what you need to know about relocation after divorce. There are any number of reasons for relocation after divorce. People often move …
Divorce and child custody cases are often intense and antagonistic undertakings. And just because a judge hands down an order, doesn’t mean it will always be followed. Oregon law includes a number of writs, court orders that either require an action to be taken or give authority and power to perform a specific act. When it comes to divorce and child custody, a writ of assistance can come into play. On a basic level, a …
Few things get us as riled up as our kids. That’s a big reason why child custody cases so often become intense and antagonistic. We want to fight for what’s best for our children. To ensure this, it’s usually to our benefit to enlist the help of an attorney. The question is, how do you find the best child custody lawyer? “Best” is a relative term and should really be qualified as “the best fit …
Goldberg Jones is thrilled to welcome the newest addition to our Portland team: Donato B. Masaoy III. An experienced, versatile attorney, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm and will be a valuable resource for husbands and fathers facing divorce issues and custody battles in Multnomah County and the surrounding areas. With two decades of legal experience under his belt, Donato has worked across a wide array of disciplines. In addition to family courts, …
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. The truth, however, is that the 50% divorce rate totally false. How It Began Despite the fact that this wisdom has held, experts have debunked this figure multiple times over …
The right of first refusal can be an important piece of a child custody order. After divorce or battles over guardianship, non-custodial parents can use it to spend as much time with their kids as possible. One question is: does this do more harm than good? What Is The Right Of First Refusal In Child Custody? If there’s a right of first refusal clause in a child custody order, this essentially means that if your …
Being a parent is a tough job. Depending on who you talk to, it may very well be the toughest gig around. As rewarding, fulfilling, and worthwhile as it can be, it’s also demanding, draining, and not for everyone. Some people take to parenthood naturally, while others grit their teeth and power through out of obligation. But for those who just don’t get the hang of it, have zero interest, or are otherwise incapable and …
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 forms on top of forms. All of this can be overwhelming. On a basic level, however, filing for divorce in Oregon doesn’t need to be scary or as complex as it seems. It is a process to be sure, …
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 impossible to suggest how to proceed. However, if you’re heading towards divorce, there are steps you can take ahead of time to streamline the process …
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 to offer advice. While that’s all well and good, it may not always be practical or applicable. In some instances, it can even undermine your …
UPDATE: The sweeping new tax plan Congress passed at the end of 2017 will impact almost everyone. This includes changes to divorce settlements, specifically those involving spousal support. Beginning January 1, 2019, on new court orders that include spousal support provisions, the party paying spousal support will no longer be able to deduct this amount. At the same time, the recipient will no longer have to pay taxes on this amount. As it currently stands, …
Many parents toil diligently to remain a part of their children’s lives in divorce and custody hearings. This isn’t always a fight that ends with the final agreement and ensuring that the rights you struggled for don’t get trampled can be a continuous battle. This is where enforcement proceedings may come in handy. Men often work hard to establish their rights in a divorce or custody case only to slack when it comes to making sure …
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 Oregon Supreme Court ruled on may impact how the law regards our animal companions moving forward, which could bleed over into divorce and pet custody …
A holiday designed to celebrate dads and everything they do for us, Father’s Day is almost here. It’s an opportunity to remind our dads how grateful we are for everything they do, to commemorate parental bonds, and applaud their influence on our lives. You can celebrate fathers and fatherhood in countless ways. As it falls on the third Sunday of June, barbecues are always a good option, as are baseball games and other outdoor activities. …
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 recent social innovation is exerting an influence on the way people approach the divorce process, and you can now crowdfund the end of your marriage. …
The common perception, whether it’s right or wrong, is that wives, mothers, and women have the upper hand when it comes to divorce and child custody. It’s possible to throw around all manner of statistics and cite various expert opinions on the subject, but the fact of the matter is that, when it comes to dissolution of marriage and guardianship, many men feel like they get the short end of the metaphorical stick, and that …
The internet is a wealth of information and resources. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it online. Key to our interests, there are countless outlets for husbands and fathers to support one another, share tips, and offer insight into the art of fatherhood. Dad blogs run the gamut from the informative and instructive to the inspirational and adorable. We thought we’d take the opportunity to share a collection of our favorites websites dedicated to …
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 dissolving your marriage. A significant part of the process is the division of property, where the two sides split up the shared assets and debts …
During divorce, things can get bitter, nasty, and downright mean. There may be hurt feelings, lingering resentments, and all kinds of acrimony. When there are minor children and custody battles involved, the situation can become even more heated and intense. All too often in situations where there are taut, strained fights over guardianship, one spouse or the other has resorted to kidnapping. While not a common occurrence, it may be a looming threat. In order …
Even in the most amicable situations, a divorce is likely to leave lingering traces of bitterness and resentment, perhaps even outright hostility. If you never see your ex again, maybe that’s just fine with you. That’s all well and good, but if there are minor children and shared custody involved, you’re likely going to have to see your former spouse during custody exchanges. That’s just the way the world works. Depending on how often the kids …
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 end of a union. Depending on where you live, cheating can also have an impact on your divorce settlement. In certain states, adulterers can’t receive …
Where you live can have a huge impact on your divorce as laws and regulations differ from state to state. For instance, Oregon has its own set of standards when it comes to property division that are different than its West Coast partners Washington and California. While those two are community property states, Oregon practices equitable distribution. In the case of community property states, debts and assets are viewed, as the title implies, as belonging to …
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 that can be measured and accounted for, like money and property—to those that are much less quantifiable, like the emotional stress and pain of separation. …
This may come as a shocking revelation, but divorce cost 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 big question is: how much does it cost to get a divorce in Oregon? The short answer is that it may cost quite a …
UPDATE: The sweeping new tax plan Congress passed at the end of 2017 will impact almost everyone. This includes changes to divorce settlements, specifically those involving spousal support. Beginning January 1, 2019, on new court orders that include spousal support provisions, the party paying spousal support will no longer be able to deduct this amount. At the same time, the recipient will no longer have to pay taxes on this amount. As it currently stands, …
The evolution of Fatherhood can be traced through changing attitudes and the societal norms of of a given historical period. From Victorian ideas of masculinity defined by a focus on work, and being the protector-provider, to a more contemporary perspective of the father as a self defined, multifaceted role. This modern ideal of the father often still includes protector and provider— as well as caregiver and nurturer. The evolution and examination of Fatherhood has always …
Here are some interesting divorce statistics; Oregon has the fourth highest divorce rate in the nation at 12.8% while Oklahoma is just slightly ahead with 12.9%. Maine has 13.6% and Nevada comes in at number one with 14.2%. Not exactly a statistic to be proud of, especially if you’re known as the quickie-wedding capital of the United States like Nevada is. In 2008, the US Census bureau released these statistics based upon the percentage of …
Liam McGill grew up just outside Detroit in the state of Michigan. When he was younger he initially wanted to be a history teacher but was talked out of it. Feeling that law was a logical and more rewarding alternative, he eventually earned his Juris Doctorate at the University of Detroit School of Law after first completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and graduating cum laude from University of Detroit Mercy. Liam’s first experience …
Your divorce is finalized and the child support order has been determined. Your ex has primary custody of the kids and you have been told what you must pay each month. This determination was reached after the court analyzed the data and information provided to them by your ex and you. Their decision was based on your income, education, job, standard of living and a variety of other factors. It was also based on similar …
What makes an attorney 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 Mockingbird”. Maybe your parents or grandparents liked to watch “Matlock”, “Perry Mason” or enjoyed Paul Newman in “The Verdict” and Jimmy Stewart in “Anatomy of a Murder”. Did you grow up watching “Law and Order”, “Boston Legal” or “The Practice”? Jack McCoy and Denny Crane were …
So you’ve reached the point in your relationship where the misery of going through with a divorce is far outweighed by the misery of staying in the marriage. Let’s not gloss over the significance of this realization. Everyone who’s been through it including the lawyers who have represented them will tell you that it’s like pulling off a Band Aid… a Band Aid that’s attached with Super Glue and staples to an extremely sensitive part …
How many of you reading this are trained project managers? For those of you that are, you know that when planning a project, a crucial step is to identify all contingencies and factors that could impact a successful outcome/smooth transition or implementation. It’s an exhaustive process requiring extreme focus and high attention to detail which is why those who are skilled in the art of project management usually command a lucrative salary and are in …
There are so many things to think about when making the tough decision to call it quits with your marriage. A telling statement about the emotions and strain that accompany a divorce is that many people who have gotten out of marriages that would be considered bad by anyone’s estimation will still say that it is the hardest thing they have ever done. Studies have shown that clarity of thought is difficult to achieve during …