‘We serve as legal representation to individuals and “families”’ – Our family law partner said we can’t use the term family as used in this sentence as we only represent individuals regarding their families.
Oregon is a No-Fault State
Oregon is a no-fault divorce state, meaning the only issue we cite for grounds for divorce is “irreconcilable differences.” We include this in the Petition for Dissolution, which is the document that starts the divorce process with the court.
Residency Requirements
To file for divorce in the state of Oregon, you need to meet specific residency requirements. Whether or not you were married in Oregon, you or your spouse would need to be a current resident of Oregon and have lived here continuously for six months before filing for divorce. One of the parties also has to be a resident of the county where the Petition is filed.
Court Fees
One divorce cost is court fees for filing a divorce in Oregon, and as of 2021, the filing fee is $301 for both parties. The party who initiates the divorce by filing the Petition for Dissolution is also known as the Petitioner. The Respondent is the party answering after being served with divorce documents.
Why Hire Us?
The Winning Edge – Have a Team Working For You
There are a lot of family law attorneys in Oregon, but we offer something that many other attorneys can’t.
Our entire family law team, including lawyers and paralegals, meet regularly to review our new clients’ cases and the important developments in ongoing cases. We discuss what different Judges are ordering for support and custody, analyze what the newest Court of Appeals decision may mean to your situation, and sometimes debate how to best deal with opposing counsel. Collaboration, second and third opinions, shared knowledge, brainstorming innovative solutions. It’s something not every attorney can offer.
You aren’t just hiring an attorney. You’re hiring a team.
Call 503-648-4777 to get your case on our next team meeting schedule.
Types of Family Law Cases We Handle in Hillsboro, Oregon
A dissolution of marriage, or a divorce as it’s more commonly referred to, is a means to end a marriage legally. During the divorce process, you will have to work with your partner to divide your property (assets and debts) and, if applicable, determine a plan for your children. For couples with children, you will need to determine who gets custody of the children and the visitation schedule for parents referred to as a parenting plan. Additionally, one parent may assume the financial responsibility for child support, health insurance, and medical bills for children.
Uncontested Divorce
It’s not unusual for a couple to agree that the best next step for their family is to dissolve the marriage. In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on all of the related issues during the divorce process. A prenuptial agreement, or a premarital agreement, can help resolve how the couple will divide their property, assets, and debts. Even in an uncontested divorce, an attorney is beneficial to review and advise you on your agreements, any essential terms to include and to reduce your agreement into a final written document, known as a General Judgment of Dissolution.
Contested Divorce
A contested divorce is when you and your spouse can’t agree on all matters during the dissolution process. The contested divorce process will take longer than an uncontested divorce based upon the court docket/calendar. Many unresolved issues can be negotiated or mediated privately without going to trial. At Harris Velázquez Gibbens, we find that some of the most common reasons for a contested divorce tend to be spousal support, child custody and parenting plan matters.
Child Custody and Parenting Time
Change to: If parents cannot agree on joint custody or which parent will have sole during a divorce or custody proceeding in Oregon, both parties must engage in a mediation orientation and a mediation session. While some people know or refer to it as “visitation” we refer to this as parenting time in Oregon.
Mandatory Parent Education Class in Hillsboro
Parents must attend a mandatory parent education class, Kids’ Turn, for divorces and child custody cases involving minor children in Washington county. This class has four sessions that you must attend to receive a Certificate of Completion which will be filed with the court, and the course costs $280.
Mandatory parent education class requirements, fees, and course length vary dramatically from county to county throughout Oregon. For the most part, the fees to participate in the classes are not waivable and in order for a party to obtain a final judgment in a case, they must at least provide the court with proof of registration in a parenting class if no certificate of completion is on file.
Mandatory Parenting Mediation in Washington County
Washington County has a mediation program that both parents are required to attend. The purpose of the mediation program, Conciliation Services, is for the parties to attempt to resolve child custody and parenting time in a neutral setting. The parties appear with a mediator through the county (without attorneys present). The program provides mediation orientation, mediation services, co-parent counseling, “New Ways for Families” class, and couples counseling. There is no fee for the orientation and first mediation session. A second mediation session is also free if both parties agree to attend. Mediation sessions after the first two free sessions cost $80.00. Mediation is confidential.
Division of Property
Many complicated divorces tend to center around the division of marital assets. At Harris Velázquez Gibbens, we want to ensure your marital property is divided fairly. We can advise you on the best action to take, whether it requires selling the property outright or having one party buy out the other via unequal division of other assets or a refinance as potential options.
Post-Judgment Modifications and Enforcements
After a dissolution of marriage or initial custody and parenting time determination, there may be a need to modify a judgment regarding payment of child or spousal support, changes to the parenting plan or even custody or to enforce an existing agreement when one party is failing to abide by the court order. Our team of attorneys can assist you in filing for a modification or help you navigate a situation where you have to request an enforcement action.
Phone Interview & Consultation with a Hillsboro Family Law & Divorce Attorney
You can depend on us to advocate for you and offer legal assistance during this difficult time as we navigate your family law matter. Our family law practice is a legal team with immense legal experience, empathy, and understanding. If you need family law attorneys in Hillsboro, Oregon, give us a call and see how we can help you.
We offer a free 15 min telephone initial phone interview to see if one of our family law lawyers can meet your legal needs. This initial phone interview includes you providing a brief outline of our legal services, our legal philosophy, and how we would approach your case.
