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 …
You will encounter a number of expenses in the process of ending your marriage. Not only do you have to pay attorney’s fee, court costs, and charges for filing paperwork, many others follow in the wake of divorce. There are expenditures associated with setting up a new home, your tax status changes, and you may wind up paying all the bills from a single paycheck for the first time in years. If there are children …
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 …
Next to child support, questions about spousal maintenance are at the top of our Frequently Asked Questions list. The impact of cohabitation on spousal support is a topic we discuss with clients frequently. Specifically, we are asked, “my ex is moving in with her new boyfriend, am I still required to pay her spousal support?” The impact of cohabitation on spousal support is a particularly tricky subject when it comes to divorce. Once your divorce …
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 …
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 by-product of shifting values and cultural shift towards individualism. The emergence of the “divorce selfie” may also be a reflection of shifting perceptions of divorce. The …
Guilt is a common emotion for parents going through divorce. That guilt can seep into relationships and become toxic to everyone involved. It is common for issues to surface before, during, and after the divorce; and the extent of those issues can jeopardize the ability of both parent and child to move forward. In some situations, the parent-child relationship can become regressive and lead to Parental Alienation. Parents hold an immense amount of influence over …
Click here to get answers at no chargePortland divorce lawyer, Colin Amos, stopped by The Game to answer questions about custody, divorce, domestic discord, and shielding children from becoming collateral damage. Providing a safe harbor for kids during divorce can be difficult, particularly if violence or abuse are part of the mix. Abuse can be take a variety of forms including verbal, emotional, and physical. If a child is living in a situation where there …
TV personality Sherri Shepherd has been making headlines regarding a recent ruling in custody case. The Sherri Shepherd decision, issued in April by a Pennsylvania Judge, is just one of three cases that have been brought in regards to the dissolution of Shepherd and Sally’s marriage. While Goldberg Jones is not involved in any of the cases regarding Shepherd and Lamar Sally, the parentage case highlights some important legal questions that are worth exploring. …
According to online reports, Knick’s coach Derek Fisher has filed for divorce from his wife of ten years. While we do not have any involvement in this case, it has raised some interesting questions regarding the warning signs that may indicate a marriage is headed for dissolution. TMZ Sports is reporting, “Derek Fisher’s wife says she was completely “blindsided” when the NBA legend served her with divorce papers last month … and was even …
Who’s on Fire? Who is going to razzle-dazzle this tournament and take home the NCAA National Championship Trophy? With the Journey to the Tourney reaching its end, it is time to start predicting the teams that will duel it out to the end. However, the competition is not limited to the court—Goldberg Jones will be holding its annual Bracket Challenge. Think your bracket has the best spread? Fill out the bracket at tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com. Prove …
Galimony is a non-legal term for spousal support that is paid by the wife to the husband. A quick search of Urban Dictionary also sites galimony as the alimony paid when a same-sex couple divorces. Galimony is a riff off the term alimony, which has been replaced in the legal lexicon with “spousal support”. In a divorce, it is imperative to understand when, and how, spousal support is applied. Spousal support is a tool used …
Changing Information on Important Documents after a Divorce If there is anything that is strongly advised by a lawyer; it is to update any shared important documents between you and your ex-spouse. It is common to get caught up in the emotional stress that comes with divorce, but there are important issues that need to be addressed immediately. Failing to make changes to your will, life insurance, etc. might just leave your ex inheriting your …
Reaching the end of a divorce can be a drawn-out process with issues that seem impossible to resolve. The distribution of assets, custody (if there are children), and support, are three of the primary concerns couples face. “What is going to happen to the house? Who gets it? What about the furniture? The car? The remaining debts?”…etc.—are all questions that seem daunting to rectify. However, Oregon is an equitable distribution state and has established guidelines …
Colin recently stopped by 750 The Game to discuss how legalizing marijuana might affect custody and divorce, and post-nuptial agreements. The conversation about the legalization of marijuana was spawned from a recent article in the Willamette Weekly about the upcoming vote for legalizing pot. According to the article, “A recent poll shows eight of 10 Oregonians believe it’s a matter of when, not if, voters erase laws against recreational use of marijuana.” The conversation regarding …
The cost of divorce in Oregon is affected by a number of factors and can vary greatly depending on the unique facts of your situation. There are 3 major factors that will impact the final expense of your divorce: conflict, compromise, and counsel. Conflict There is a positive correlation between the amount of conflict in a divorce and the cost— the greater the conflict, the more expensive the divorce. High conflict divorces present a greater …
Parental Alienation is defined as “a social dynamic when a child expresses unjustified hatred or unreasonably strong dislike of one parent, making access by the rejected parent difficult or impossible. “ Father’s that are the target of Parental Alienation face a plethora of challenges. Overcoming those challenges can be overwhelming and leave fathers uncertain of their options for maintaining a relationship with their children. Have a Plan One of the best ways fathers can protect …
Finances are often at the forefront when a couple has made the decision to divorce. Who will get what and how those decisions are made can create a lot of anxiety. Additionally, some couples are surprised to find out that debts are also divided in the divorce process. Credit cards, home loans, auto financing and other debts will distributed between both parties. Because Oregon is an equitable distribution state there are some subtleties in how …
Colin stopped by Flight 750 to answer questions about divorce and custody, and weigh in on some family law issues that have been in the news. The first question Colin tackled came from an involved dad whose children were requesting to live with him. The father has been divorced for more than 7 years, and his kids, 12 and 15, want to change their living arrangements so they can reside with their father. In answering …
What should I do if my parenting plan is violated? The parenting plan is the cornerstone of your custody arrangement. If one party violates the agreement, knowing what to do will help you protect your relationship with your child. What is a parenting plan? A parenting plan is often part of a divorce agreement, but it is also necessary for parents that were never married. A parenting plan is a formal document that is filed …
A civil standby is an opportunity for those restricted by a restraining order to gather essential personal effects without violating the restraining order. Regardless if you are the petitioner of the restraining order or the respondent, understanding how a civil standby works and its limitations is important. In Oregon, a civil standby is requested through your local police department. Officers will be dispatched to meet the person who is restricted by the restraining order (the …
“Do I have to hire an Oregon Divorce Lawyer?” is a common question for men facing divorce. The answer is no. Having a divorce lawyer is not required to get divorce. You can represent yourself—but like many things, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. What is the benefit of having a divorce attorney? The end of a marriage is an emotional and stressful time and it is important to keep in mind that …
The term “divorce deposition” sounds much more ominous than it really is. Simply stated, it is a tool used by attorneys to obtain information from both parties during a divorce. The deposition is a formal interview conducted by court personnel like an attorney or a paralegal. Depositions are not unique to family law, and while you may hear the term “divorce deposition”, that simply refers to a deposition that is being used in a divorce …
