Reference Material and Informational Links
Family Law
Family Law
In general, once a Judgment has been entered in a divorce or other family law matter, it is usually possible only to modify terms of custody and parenting time, child support, and spousal support.
In addition, in general, such matters can only be modified if there have been substantial, unanticipated, and material changes in circumstances. Child support can also be reviewed and modified if appropriate once every three years, even if a substantial and material change is not demonstrable prior to the review.
A divorce is NOT the fault of the children. Sometimes, however, children feel that they are in some way to blame, or that the divorce is in some way their fault.
This can be true for very young children, as well as for children who are well past the age of adulthood. It can be important for parents of children of all ages to remember this, although, of course, the way in which the following is articulated, and the way one interacts with children of different ages, will differ.
Oregon does not recognize common law marriage, in general. Common law marriages may be recognized if entered in a state or country that does recognize them, but in most cases you have to actually have been married in order to be divorced.
Many people live together without marriage, of course, and what some people call domestic partnership dissolutions are not uncommon.
If a couple lived together for a time, and acquired assets during that time, and then got married, matters may be somewhat more complicated.
Divorce and family law includes a wide range of topics. In addition to divorces, family law includes matters such as grandparent visitation, modifications of custody, modifications of parenting time (visitation), modifications of child support, modifications of spousal support, and other matters.
Other issues handled by family law attorneys include filiation (proceedings to determine legal parenthood), child support and back child support in filiation situations, and the like.
It is not uncommon for people to falsely claim to be residents of Oregon.
This has nothing to do with one’s legal status in the USA.
In another article printed on this website there is a discussion of some of the issues that accompany a change in child support, and an example of how much a small change in parenting time can change child support amounts, and total child support paid over the years.
While either a husband or a wife can file a petition seeking legal separation in Oregon, in almost all cases, the other side can convert the case to a divorce case when they respond.
Having an up to date Will can be crucial to achieving your estate planning goals.
One of the most important things a Will can do is to name the person or persons who will raise your children if you die before your children turn 18.
Spousal support is a very complex area of law in Oregon.
A great many different arguments can be made as to whether support should be awarded after a divorce.