Divorce Attorney, Family Law Attorney
Do You Need A Family Law Attorney?
Call to schedule a consultation with an Oregon Divorce Attorney today 503-648-4777
Dealing with any legal matter can be stressful. When it involves your family, however, it can be even more overwhelming. In these situations, you need a compassionate Hillsboro, OR family law attorney who can guide you through the process.
Whether you are dealing with a divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, or a related issue, our law offices will fight for your rights. We are a full-service law firm, representing clients on all types of family law matters. Our legal team offers highly personalized service, working to help you get the best possible outcome for your family law issue.
At Harris Velázquez Gibbens, we understand that when you are dealing with a divorce, separation, or child custody case, nothing is more important. If you are involved in a family law matter in Washington County, Oregon, give our office a call for a consultation about your case.
How Our Hillsboro, OR Family Lawyers Can Help
We offer a range of family law services to clients in and around Hillsboro. Our experienced attorneys provide legal guidance in all facets of family law and divorce in Oregon, including:
- Alimony – Spousal Support
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Dissolution of Marriage – Oregon Divorce
- Domestic Partnerships
- Legal Separation
- Modification of Prior Judgments
- Parenting Time – Visitation
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Property Settlements
- Protective Orders, Restraining Orders, and Domestic Violence Issues
Each of our cases starts with a comprehensive consultation. We will listen to your story and offer you advice on your legal options. If you decide to hire our law firm, we will put together a strategy that addresses each facet of your family law matter, from asset division to parenting time to spousal support.
We are dedicated and determined to achieve the best solution for our clients. If you choose to hire our family law firm, our lawyers will fight to ensure that you receive the outcome that you deserve.
What is the Dissolution Process in Oregon?
If you have decided to file for divorce, the initial document that we will file is the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Beyond this initial petition, we may file anywhere from five to twenty other documents, such as: Notice of Confidential Information forms, Marital Settlement Agreement, Notice of Statutory Restraining Order Preventing Dissipation of Assets, and a Lis Pendens.
Petitions are filed in the circuit court of the county where you reside. For example, if you reside in Hillsboro, then your paperwork will be filed in the circuit court for Washington County. Our lawyers regularly represent people in divorce cases throughout the region, including Clackamas County, Columbia County, Multnomah County, Tillamook County, and Yamhill County.
Whether your case is a relatively straightforward uncontested divorce or a more complex matter, you will need an advocate to protect your interests. Our law firm is here to help with legal counsel and representation.
Property Division in an Oregon Divorce
Oregon is an “equitable distribution” state, so the marital property will be divided in an equitable fashion. Equitable does not mean equal, but rather what is fair. The court will not consider fault when determining a fair property and debt division.
In both high asset divorces and dissolutions with relatively few assets, having an experienced family law lawyer on your side can ensure that you get the best possible outcome. If you are contemplating divorce or are already in the dissolution process, give our law firm a call to learn more about your rights.
What You Need to Know About Alimony and Spousal Support
Not all divorce or dissolution cases involve the payment of spousal support. The obligation of one spouse to support the other financially for a temporary or permanent basis is decided on a case-by-case basis, either as agreed to by the parties or as ordered by the court. There are three types of spousal support or alimony:
- A transitional spousal support agreement is needed for a party to attain the education and training necessary to allow the party to prepare for re-entry into the job market or for advancement therein.
- Compensatory spousal support when there has been a significant financial or other contribution by one party to the education, training, vocational skills, career, or earning capacity of the other party.
- Spousal maintenance as a contribution by one spouse to the support of the other for either a specified or an indefinite period.
If you believe that spousal support may be an issue in your case, our attorneys will walk you through the process and help you understand your rights and obligations.
Child Custody in Oregon
Divorce and/or breakups can be hard on children. In Oregon, the court’s primary concern when determining child custody is the best interests of the minor child.
Depending on the age of the children, a parenting plan may be general or detailed. A general parenting plan may include a broad outline of how parental responsibilities and parenting time visitation will be shared. A detailed parenting plan may include provisions relating to residential schedule; holiday, birthday, and vacation planning; weekends, including holidays, and school in-service days preceding or following weekends; decision-making and responsibility; relocation of parents; telephone access; transportation; and methods for resolving disputes.
Child custody and parenting time are important issues for any parent. Our law firm will work to protect your parental rights and the best interests of your children, especially if custody disputes develop.
Child Support Guidelines
Oregon child support guidelines are based on the income share model for calculating child support. The monthly support amount is determined by applying these guidelines, which take into account each parent’s income, the size of the family, and other factors.
The terms of child support and parenting time (visitation) are designed for the child’s benefit – not the parents’ benefit. Even if you are not receiving visitation, you will still be obligated to pay support. Similarly, even if you are not receiving child support, you must comply with visitation orders. Violation of child support and visitation orders is punishable by fine, imprisonment, or other penalties.
At Harris Velázquez Gibbens, we know that many parents worry about child support when ending a relationship. Our law firm will help you understand your legal rights and obligations when it comes to child support.
Modifications of a Divorce Settlement Agreement
Even the most thoughtful and well-crafted divorce settlement agreement may need to be changed when circumstances change. For example, have you lost your job and are unable to pay the court-ordered child support or spousal support? Do you plan to move away and need to rearrange your child custody and parenting time agreement? Is your custody or parenting time plan just not working?
If any of these situations apply to you, then you may qualify to have the judgment modified. There are numerous factors the court will consider in making a post-divorce modification. An experienced Hillsboro divorce attorney at Harris Velázquez Gibbens can assist you in evaluating your options.
Why Hire Our Divorce Lawyers?
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 firms cannot offer: the winning edge. When you hire Harris Velázquez Gibbens, you won’t just get a single lawyer – you’ll have a legal team working for you.
Our entire family law practice group, including lawyers and paralegals, meets regularly to review our new matters and discuss the important developments in ongoing cases. We talk about what outcomes we have had in our cases, what different judges are ordering for support and custody, and analyze what the newest Court of Appeals decision may mean for each of our cases. We sometimes debate how to best deal with opposing counsel.
With our law firm, you will get decades of combined experience, collaboration, second and third opinions, shared knowledge, and innovative solutions. These are just a few things that our firm offers that many other law offices do not.
With Harris Velázquez Gibbens, 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.
Our Hillsboro, OR Family Law Attorneys
How We Make All of the Difference
From the initial conversation with us to the end of your case, you will see that we make a difference. Whether you need an Oregon divorce attorney or are struggling with another family law matter, we care about your situation and are willing to take the time to listen to you.
Our attorneys know the importance of learning about the situation so that we can provide you with only the advice you truly need, in order to meet the goals you’ve set. That means the first thing we do is listen to you. This is your case and your life, not ours.
By understanding your concerns, questions, and fears, we can provide you with the information and options that best fit your situation. Ultimately, you make the decisions after listening to our advice regarding possible outcomes for your family law case.
Our legal services encompass the full range of family law matters in Oregon.
Experienced Hillsboro Divorce Attorneys
As accomplished trial attorneys, we’re dedicated to seeing that the best solution becomes a reality for you. We will fight for the results that you deserve, and while we are often able to reach a reasonable settlement, we will take your case to trial if we’re unable to reach a satisfactory resolution.
Whether you need legal representation in the Hillsboro, OR area or beyond, an experienced divorce attorney can help achieve your desired results. Our team includes four qualified Oregon family law lawyers:
Working collaboratively with our paralegals, our attorneys will help you get the best possible outcome for your case.
FAQs About Family Law in Hillsboro
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Oregon?
The time needed to complete a divorce in Oregon depends on the issues involved and whether both parties are willing to work together.
An uncontested divorce, in which both parties agree on all matters related to asset division, parenting arrangements, child support, and spousal support, may be completed much sooner than a contested case. A divorce involving disputes over the children, finances, or property can take several months or longer if hearings, discovery, mediation, or a trial are necessary.
Court scheduling may also affect the timeline. While every case follows its own schedule, filing the required documents on time, responding promptly to requests, and working toward reasonable agreements can reduce delays. A family law attorney can explain what to expect based on your case.
Can I Get Divorced Without Going to Court in Oregon?
Yes. Many Oregon divorces are resolved without a trial. If both spouses reach agreements on all issues, including asset division, parenting time, child custody, child support, and spousal support, they may submit a settlement agreement to the court for approval. In many uncontested divorces, the judge can review the paperwork and enter a judgment without a trial. Some counties may still involve a brief hearing or additional filings before the divorce is finalized.
If disagreements remain, the parties may participate in divorce mediation or settlement conferences before the court schedules a trial. A family law attorney can prepare the necessary documents and represent your interests if disputes can’t be resolved through mutual agreement.
Can I Change My Name as Part of an Oregon Divorce?
Yes. Oregon law allows a spouse to request restoration of a former legal name as part of a judgment dissolving the marriage. Many people choose to resume using the surname they had before marriage, although changing your name is entirely voluntary. If you want the court to restore your former name, the request should be included in the divorce paperwork before the judgment is entered.
After the divorce is finalized, you can use the judgment to update your name with government agencies, financial institutions, employers, and other organizations. A family law attorney can prepare the paperwork correctly so the request is included in the final judgment.
Do I Have to Go to Mediation in an Oregon Family Law Case?
It depends. Many Oregon circuit courts require parents to participate in a mediation program before asking a judge to decide disputed child custody or parenting time issues.
Mediation gives parents an opportunity to discuss possible arrangements with the assistance of a neutral mediator. If an agreement is reached, it may be submitted to the court for approval. If no agreement is reached, the case may continue through litigation. Oregon courts may excuse mediation in certain situations, including cases involving domestic abuse or other safety concerns.
What Happens If My Spouse Won’t Cooperate With the Divorce?
A spouse can’t stop a divorce by refusing to participate. If no response is filed to the divorce petition within the time allowed, the court may permit the case to continue by default. If the other spouse responds but refuses to cooperate during the case, the court still has the authority to resolve disputes involving property division, child custody, parenting time, child support, and spousal support. The judge will make decisions based on the evidence presented and the applicable law.
Speak to a Hillsboro Family Law Attorney Today
When you are dealing with legal issues involving your family, it can be hard to know who you can trust. Our law firm is here for you.
At Harris Velázquez Gibbens, we represent clients on a wide range of family law matters. Our compassionate family law attorneys understand what you are going through, and will use our knowledge and skill to help you through the process. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a Hillsboro, OR family law attorney, call our law office at 503-610-4398 or fill out our online contact form.
