Divorce with Children

While much of the information provided for divorce without children remains applicable, divorce cases involving children introduce additional complexities. If you are divorcing with children, you will have to come up with a plan to co-parent and share time with the children. Our attorneys can help you craft a plan that is unique to your family’s needs while also being strategic in the short-term and long-term. We are here to help with anything from navigating court documents, calculations for a Child Support Order, to assisting in situations where you may want to limit the contact of the other parent, and everything in between – our Portland divorce attorneys are here for you!

Mediated Divorce

In a mediated divorce, parties seek resolution through mediation outside of Court. A mediator assists the parties with reaching a resolution on all aspects of the divorce. Once a final agreement is achieved, an attorney typically assists in drafting the necessary pleadings to complete the divorce.

Litigated Divorce

A litigated divorce means that your divorce is contested and there is active litigation in Court. Typically, litigation involves hearings and may ultimately proceed to a trial. We can represent you in any form of litigation that happens in your family law matter.

Spousal Support (Alimony)

Child Custody / Parenting Time

Child custody/parenting time refers to the legal right to have time with your child in a family law legal case such as divorce, separation, dependency, guardianship, etc. A parent’s custody rights will have an impact on a variety of things such as day-to-day decision making, health and medical decisions, as well as educational decisions. This applies to parents splitting up who were in a marriage as well as parents who never married. Child custody could also apply to grandparents, close relatives, or family friends if they are granted legal rights to the child. In a case regarding child custody/parenting time, if the parents are unable to agree, the Court will determine whether sole or joint legal custody is awarded, and what the Parenting Plan will be. There are also many other resources within the court system to help parents decide these issues, including mediation and a required parenting class. Navigate attorneys can help you work through this dynamic and complex issue.

Child Support

Child support is the financial responsibility of both parents to support their child. Child support is mandated by law, and it is where one parent pays financial support to the other parent for the care of the child unless an exception applies or a reduction is granted by the Court.  The Court will consider the child’s needs and the parties’ incomes. Child support can also be assessed when non-parents have custody of children. Child support issues come up in a variety of different family law cases mentioned on this page, and our attorneys are skilled with these issues.

CHILD SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE (Adult “Child Attending School”)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER (FAPA RESTRAINING ORDER)

If there is a domestic violence situation, either in a divorce or other intimate relationship, with or without children, a party can apply for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order under the Family Abuse Prevention Act. A Domestic Violence Restraining Order can be requested with little or no notice to the other party. It is a same-day court order for an urgent domestic violence issue that can restrain the other party from you and/or your children or home.

Temporary Orders

In Oregon, there is no required waiting period until the divorce can be finalized. It is common for parties to want/need temporary orders in place that provide temporary provisions during the time between the initial Petition to start the divorce has been filed and when they are able to get a final judgment submitted to the Court and signed by a judge. Temporary orders address lots of daily issues including but not limited to parenting time, child support, spousal support (aka alimony or maintenance), allocation of household expenses, restraining orders, attorney’s fees, and temporary use and possession of vehicles and personal property. Temporary orders can stay in place until a different order replaces them (usually a final judgment when your case is completed). Sometimes temporary orders are a critical piece in the divorce process and often set the stage for how the rest of the divorce will play out. It is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced family law attorney if you are needing to get temporary orders in place. Navigate Law Group has experienced family law attorneys that will guide you through this process and protect what matters most.