As in many other states, divorce is very common in Oregon. Still, if you are considering a divorce or may be faced with one soon, you shouldn’t undertake this legal process alone. Instead, as in almost all legal matters, it is much more wise to hire an attorney to represent you in court.
Legal issues to be settled in divorce
One reason to hire a lawyer is that many of the delicate legal issues that often arise in divorce will be hard to settle without competent legal representation. Specifically, you’ll need an attorney with plenty of experience in family law matters . The following issues will need to be settled:
- alimony or spousal support
- child custody
- child support
- child visitation rights
- division of marital assets
- division of marital liabilities
- living arrangements
None of these issues are easy to solve. Unless you have an extraordinary relationship with your ex-spouse, deciding these things will take the intervention of lawyers with your own attorney acting in your best interest. Representing yourself in a divorce is simply too risky.
Oregon divorce law
You should also be aware that divorce in Oregon is not the same as in other states. What you have seen on TV or in movies regarding divorce may not apply to Oregon. For one, Oregon has what is known as “equitable distribution” in regard to marital property. Factors that will be taken into account in this distribution include:
- the length of the marriage
- the contributions of each spouse to the marriage
- who will raise the children
- the income and employment prospects for each spouse
Considering this, nearly anything you own could end up in the hands of your spouse or at least split up between you. Protecting your assets will usually mean proving those assets are not actually marital property and would be owned by you regardless. Accomplishing this will require a highly skilled divorce lawyer.
Overall, representing yourself in court is almost always a foolhardy exercise. Being a lawyer takes years of schooling and plenty of expertise. An attorney with a track record in family law will know how to obtain the best result for you that you would never achieve on your own.
