Most people are familiar with prenuptial agreements. Commonly referred to as “prenups,” many might think that these contracts are only for celebrities and the ultra-wealthy. However, this is not correct — a prenuptial agreement is a crucial legal tool that can be used by anyone who wishes to have control over their assets and property in the…
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If you’re considering divorce, one of the first questions you probably have is, “how long does a divorce take?”. The short answer is, it depends. No two divorces are the same and there are many variables that can come into play when ending a marriage — including the number of issues that must be settled and the court’s docket. The lengthi…
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Divorce doesn’t only affect the spouses who are involved — it can have a significant impact on the couple’s children. Unfortunately, when parents are so consumed with the divorce process, they can sometimes forget that their children are affected by it, too. In addition to the emotional and economic toll divorce can take, children may also ha…
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Ending a marriage is not easy. Not only can divorce be emotionally difficult, but the process may present many legal challenges when spouses have disagreements over the various issues that must be decided — such as property and asset division. However, in Oregon, there is a way to divorce that is often more efficient and effective than going thro…
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Collaborative divorce is an innovative alternative to litigation that comes with numerous advantages for both parties. Rather than engage in a lengthy — and costly — court battle, collaborative divorce is a non-adversarial process that allows spouses to divorce amicably, privately, and efficiently. Typically, couples who participate in the coll…
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Divorce is hard enough — but the process can become even more challenging when your spouse cannot be located. Under Oregon law, a respondent spouse must be served with notice that a divorce action has been started against them. But if they cannot be found after reasonable efforts were taken to find them, a court will likely allow that person to b…
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In many homes, pets are an important part of the family — and the thought of losing a beloved companion animal when your marriage ends can be devastating. When spouses decide to part ways, the issue of who gets to keep the pet can be a particularly contentious issue. If you have a pet and are facing divorce, it’s essential to understand how cou…
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Mediation has become an increasingly common alternative to litigation. While many divorce mediation matters are handled by one mediator, co-mediation involves two trained professionals who work together with the spouses to reach a settlement agreement. Often, the use of two mediators coming from different professional backgrounds can result in a fa…
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Oregon is a no-fault divorce state. This means that a spouse does not have to prove marital misconduct to obtain a divorce. Instead, they only need to allege “irreconcilable differences.” In addition, Oregon law doesn’t require that both spouses agree to end their marriage — one party can file for divorce regardless of whether the other is…
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COVID-19 took a substantial toll on many aspects of our lives. Critically, many marriages were affected, and divorce during Covid seemed like a very real possibility for many couples, while others were strengthened. The shutdowns, stay-at-home orders, and restrictions forced couples to face marital issues that previously went ignored or unnoticed.…
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Salem attorney Sarah M. Litowich is an Oregonian through and through, with roots in rural eastern Oregon and the Willamette Valley. She is grateful for these deep Oregon roots because she learned the value of hard work and building and maintaining st… Read More