Both parents have a financial obligation to support their children, regardless of whether they were ever married or not. When parents do not live together, child support can help ensure a child’s needs are met and they are able to thrive. However, it’s important to understand that the only way to get child support in Oregon is through a court o…
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Divorce for business owners can be particularly stressful — your company may be the most valuable asset you possess. You’ve worked hard to build your bottom line and may be concerned about what will happen to it in the event you part ways with your spouse. When a couple decides to end a marriage and one of the spouses owns a business in their n…
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Stepparents love their stepchildren just as they do their biological children. But even if they are married to the child’s biological parent, they do not have the same legal rights, obligations, and responsibilities unless the child is legally adopted by them. There can be many emotional benefits and legal advantages to adopting a stepchild in Or…
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The process of estate planning can sometimes feel overwhelming, and you might not be sure what to expect when you consult with your attorney for the first time. As the date for your meeting approaches, it’s important to prepare in advance so you can get the most out of it. Although your attorney may ask you questions that you might never have tho…
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If you’re considering parting ways with your spouse, it’s important to be aware that there are many methods that can be used to divorce. Rather than go through the lengthy, costly, and adversarial litigation process, collaborative divorce offers a number of benefits for divorcing spouses — and their children. Here are some of the most common…
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A good estate plan should not only dictate what will happen when you pass — it should also include a plan for incapacity. Guardianships and powers of attorney are two legal tools that can appoint someone to act on your behalf in the event you can no longer make decisions for yourself. While incapacity should be considered when creating a comprehe…
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Even when spouses agree to part ways, divorce can be an overwhelming chapter of your life. But there are a number of things you can do to prepare to help ensure the process runs smoothly. How to prepare for a divorce comes down to being organized and ensuring you take the time to gather your financial documents, create a budget, and get the legal a…
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All families and children in Oregon are unique — and many people choose to grow their families through adoption. When a child is adopted, it creates a legal parent-child relationship between the individual being adopted and their adoptive parent. Although adoption is a joyful occasion, it can also be a complex process and there can be a considera…
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Many people use social media to share news about major life events with friends and family. However, using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to update your loved ones about your divorce can be a critical mistake. Using social media as you go through the divorce process should be done cautiously — ranting about your soon-to-be ex-spo…
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Child support is crucial to help ensure a child’s needs are met. However, it’s not always simply one fixed amount that is paid over the course of time. There can be situations where a parent has difficulty meeting this financial obligation — and courts in Oregon recognize that there are reasons to modify child support. In such cases, the pare…
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Sarah M. Litowich is a lifelong Oregonian with roots that stretch from rural eastern Oregon to the Willamette Valley. Those deep connections shaped her belief in hard work, honesty, and the importance of strong, lasting relationships—all values tha… Read More