On a recent episode of the popular TV drama "Grey's Anatomy," the character "Catherine" confronts "April" her new on-screen daughter-in-law. Catherine is furious over her son and April's surprise wedding. Believing that her son made an awful mistake, Catherine thrusts a document in front of April … Read More
Transitional Spousal Support Reversed Because Job Training Not Needed
In the case of In re Marriage of Stuart and Ely, the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed an order granting transitional spousal support to the wife, who was a professional engineer with a PhD degree in environmental engineering, since there was no evidence that she would be needing or receiving any … Read More
Top 5 Reasons Why Collaborative Divorce Can Backfire
What is Collaborative Law? Before we get into the list, it is helpful to summarize briefly what collaborative law is. Essentially, when a couple going through a divorce or other family law dispute decides to use the process of "Collaborative Law", they sign a contract with their respective … Read More
Avoid Collaborative Law Disaster By Carefully Choosing Your Attorney
Many divorcing couples consider collaborative law, where they sign a contract with their respective attorneys saying that their attorneys are forbidden from settle the case in court. But if you choose your attorney carefully the collaborative process is unnecessary. If you are already in … Read More
Raising grandkids in Oregon: What are your legal custody rights?
More grandparents across the country are raising grandkids. The reasons are varied. Economic circumstances to metal illness could affect a child's parenting ability. Often the grandparent does not have formal custodial rights. Grandparent rights in these "grandfamilies" may allow for custody or … Read More
Collaborative Law Can Be More Stressful
If both parties hire reasonable attorneys focused on settling the case, and both approach it with a peaceful attitude, then there is no reason for collaborative contracts to be signed. There are some cases where both parties are already in agreement where an uncontested divorce might be the best … Read More
Collaborative Law Can Result In People Behaving Less Reasonably
While the words, "fine, I'll see you in court" can be utterly terrifying, they also serve a vital purpose. When two people are not able to agree on an issue in their divorce, it often is because someone is asking for more than they reasonably should be entitled to. In these cases mediation and … Read More
Collaborative Divorce Can Be Significantly MORE Expensive
Last week you may remember we outlined the top 5 reasons collaborative divorce can backfire. This week we are delving deeper into why a divorce using collaborative law can be more expensive. Remember, when you sign your collaborative law contract, you are agreeing that no matter what happens, you … Read More