In most firms, it is the staff that handles the bulk of your case. You end up dealing with paralegals, assistants, or clerks instead of the lawyer you signed up with. At Pacific Family Law and Divorce, assistants may handle the paperwork and occasional informational calls, but most of the time, you will be working with your actual trial attorney.
Our office and family law attorneys have built the firm from the ground up with efficiency in mind. Paperless, custom-built data centers for instant access to all file information, and flexible communication by phone, email, and even secure instant messaging. We want you to be able to participate as part of the team in your case.
Far too many family law "mills" are out to settle your case as fast as possible so they can move on to the next. Pacific Family Law Firm was founded by lawyers who are used to the courtroom and don't run from it. If getting you the best outcome for your family law matter means taking the case to trial, we will do it. If you are ready for a trial, we won't back down either.
Once upon a time, prenuptial agreements were considered a tool used only by the famous and extremely wealthy. However, as family structures become more blended and modern, Oregon prenuptial agreements are becoming more common for families at all economic levels or social strata. In the present day, prenuptial agreements are used for planning in much the way that people write wills or other estate plans.
While sometimes considered "unromantic" or contrary to a trusting relationship, a prenuptial agreement counterintuitively can provide trust. A well-drafted and thorough prenuptial agreement forces the couple to discuss plans for finances in an upcoming marriage openly. This financial planning step is often avoided before the wedding, leading to awkward discussions and sometimes resentment after the marriage begins. How will the bill be paid? How will existing assets be included in the marriage? Will these assets be considered part of the marital estate? These questions and more can be clearly defined beforehand by a skilled prenuptial agreement attorney.
In addition to increased clarity, an Oregon prenuptial agreement can provide peace of mind during the marriage. Because the contract will clarify everybody's intent upfront, there will be no need for latent fears or suspicions after the wedding day is over, and the parties begin a new married life together. Like premarital counseling, openness with finances can avoid hurt feelings or financial surprise down the road.
A prenuptial agreement, also known as a 'prenup,' is a legal contract that outlines how assets and debts will be divided in case of divorce or death. Couples enter into these agreements to protect their individual financial interests and clarify expectations for their marriage.
A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can greatly impact how assets are divided in a high asset divorce by predetermining how specific properties and financial interests will be allocated upon separation. These agreements can simplify property division issues during the divorce process if validly created and enforceable under Oregon law.
To create an enforceable prenup, both parties should have separate legal representation to ensure fairness and understanding of terms. The agreement must be written, signed by both parties willingly with full disclosure of financial information, and notarized for validation purposes.
Yes, prenuptial agreements are legally enforceable in Oregon if they meet certain requirements. Both parties must fully disclose their assets and liabilities, the agreement must be entered voluntarily without coercion or fraud, and it should not be unconscionable or heavily favor one party over the other.
Without a prenup, Oregon's default divorce laws apply. Oregon is an 'equitable distribution' state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally, based on factors like the length of the marriage and each spouse's contributions.
No, child custody arrangements cannot be included in an Oregon prenuptial agreement because they are determined by the best interests of the child at the time of divorce or separation. Prenups typically address financial matters only.
An Oregon Divorce Settlement Agreement is a legally binding contract between spouses detailing the terms of their divorce, such as division of assets, child custody, and spousal support. It must be agreed upon by both parties and approved by the court.
While it is not legally required to have an attorney for an Oregon legal marital separation, hiring one can greatly benefit both parties. An experienced family law attorney can help negotiate fair terms and ensure compliance with all necessary procedures and requirements.
An Oregon Divorce Settlement Agreement includes provisions on division of assets and debts, spousal support, child custody and parenting time, and child support. Both parties must agree on the terms before submitting the agreement to the court for approval.
Yes, you can waive your right to spousal support; however, the court may still award it if they find that enforcing the waiver would result in substantial injustice or be unconscionable due to unforeseen circumstances at the time of divorce.
To create a Divorce Settlement Agreement in Oregon, you and your spouse should discuss and agree on all relevant issues. You may use mediation or collaborative law to come to an agreement. Once agreed upon, it should be written down and signed by both parties.
In an Oregon high asset divorce involving business interests, professionals will often be enlisted to accurately value the business so it can be fairly distributed as part of marital property. If spouses co-own businesses together or if one spouse contributed significantly to its growth during marriage, more intricate evaluations may be required for equitable division.
Don't wait to address your family law matter. Time-sensitive issues require prompt attention to protect your rights and your family's future.
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ORS 107.097(2)
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(a) A party may apply to a court for a temporary protective order of restraint by filing with the court an affidavit or a declaration under penalty of perjury in the form required by ORCP 1 E, conforming to the requirements of ORS 109.767. (b) Upon receipt of an application under this subsection, the court may issue a temporary protective order of restraint restraining and enjoining each party from:
(A) Changing the child’s usual place of residence;
(B) Interfering with the present placement and daily schedule of the child;
(C) Hiding or secreting the child from the other party;
(D) Interfering with the other party’s usual contact and parenting time with the child;
(E) Leaving the state with the child without the written permission of the other party or the permission of the court; or
(F) In any manner disturbing the current schedule and daily routine of the child until custody or parenting time has been determined.
(1) In any proceeding to establish or modify a judgment providing for parenting time with a child, except for matters filed under ORS 107.700 (Short title) to 107.735 (Duties of State Court Administrator), there shall be developed and filed with the court a parenting plan to be included in the judgment. A parenting plan may be either general or detailed.
(2) A general parenting plan may include a general outline of how parental responsibilities and parenting time will be shared and may allow the parents to develop a more detailed agreement on an informal basis. However, a general parenting plan must set forth the minimum amount of parenting time and access a noncustodial parent is entitled to have.
(3) A detailed parenting plan may include, but need not be limited to, provisions relating to:
(a) Residential schedule;
(b) Holiday, birthday and vacation planning;
(c) Weekends, including holidays, and school in-service days preceding or following weekends;
(d) Decision-making and responsibility;
(e) Information sharing and access;
(f) Relocation of parents;
(g) Telephone access;
(h) Transportation; and
(i) Methods for resolving disputes.
ORS 107.105 is a huge statute that provides detailed provisions governing not only the provisions of a divorce or separation judgment but also provisions regarding attorney fees. Rather than quote select parts, the statute may be reviewed in its entirety at the link below.
(1) The court may at any time after a judgment of annulment or dissolution of marriage or of separation is granted, upon the motion of either party and after service of notice on the other party in the manner provided by ORCP 7, and after notice to the Division of Child Support when required under subsection (9) of this section:
(a) Set aside, alter or modify any portion of the judgment that provides for the appointment and duties of trustees, for the custody, parenting time, visitation, support and welfare of the minor children and the children attending school, as defined in ORS 107.108 (Support or maintenance for child attending school), including any health or life insurance provisions, for the support of a party or for life insurance under ORS 107.820 (Support order as insurable interest) or 107.830 (Physical examination may be ordered);
(b) Make an order, after service of notice to the other party, providing for the future custody, support and welfare of minor children residing in the state, who, at the time the judgment was given, were not residents of the state, or were unknown to the court or were erroneously omitted from the judgment;
(c) Terminate a duty of support toward any minor child who has become self-supporting, emancipated or married;
(d) After service of notice on the child in the manner provided by law for service of a summons, suspend future support for any child who has ceased to be a child attending school as defined in ORS 107.108 (Support or maintenance for child attending school); and
(e) Set aside, alter or modify any portion of the judgment that provides for a property award based on the enhanced earning capacity of a party that was awarded before October 23, 1999. A property award may be set aside, altered or modified under this paragraph.
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(1) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, in determining custody of a minor child under ORS 107.105 (Provisions of judgment) or 107.135 (Vacation or modification of judgment), the court shall give primary consideration to the best interests and welfare of the child. In determining the best interests and welfare of the child, the court shall consider the following relevant factors:
(a) The emotional ties between the child and other family members;
(b) The interest of the parties in and attitude toward the child;
(c) The desirability of continuing an existing relationship;
(d) The abuse of one parent by the other;
(e) The preference for the primary caregiver of the child, if the caregiver is deemed fit by the court; and
(f) The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the other parent and the child. However, the court may not consider such willingness and ability if one parent shows that the other parent has sexually assaulted or engaged in a pattern of behavior of abuse against the parent or a child and that a continuing relationship with the other parent will endanger the health or safety of either parent or the child.
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(1) If a child is born to an unmarried person and parentage has been established under ORS 109.065 (Establishing parentage), or if a child is born to a married person by a person other than the birth mother’s spouse and parentage between the person and the child has been established under ORS 109.065 (Establishing parentage), either parent may initiate a civil proceeding to determine the custody or support of, or parenting time with, the child. The proceeding shall be brought in the circuit court of the county in which the child resides or is found or in the circuit court of the county in which either parent resides. The parents have the same rights and responsibilities regarding the custody and support of, and parenting time with, their child that married or divorced parents would have, and the provisions of ORS 107.094 (Forms for restraining order and request for hearing) to 107.449 (Transfer of proceeding under ORS 107.135 to auxiliary court) that relate to custody, support and parenting time, the provisions of ORS 107.755 (Court-ordered mediation) to 107.795 (Availability of other remedies) that relate to mediation procedures, and the provisions of ORS 107.810 (Policy), 107.820 (Support order as insurable interest) and 107.830 (Physical examination may be ordered) that relate to life insurance, apply to the proceeding.
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Read MoreWe are happy to meet with you for a flat-fee, discounted consultation. Call today.
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