Family Law Attorneys in Bend, Oregon

Facing any family law matter can be overwhelming at times. From preparing for marriage to issuing a divorce and figuring out everything that accompanies it, you may not know where to even start. The first step is to reach out to family law attorneys, who understand the ins and outs of the law, and who have your best interests at heart. At Haskett Williams Monaghan Attorneys at Law in Bend, Oregon, our lawyers care about your situation, and we can help you move forward to the next stage in your life.    

Pre- and Postnuptial Agreements 

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are created to protect those entering into (or, in the case of postnuptial agreements, already in) a marriage agreement. Prenups are created to clarify financial rights, avoid arguments in case of divorce, get protection from debts, and protect assets.  

Divorce in Oregon 

Oregon is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that there's only one requirement for a divorce to be allowed: at least one spouse says the marriage is unable to be fixed. In the divorce process, you’ll need to make important decisions that will affect the future of you, your spouse, and your children. Some of these include questions of alimony, child custody, child support, asset division, and more.  

Contested 

In a contested divorce, spouses don’t agree on some or all aspects of the divorce, such as child custody or alimony. The divorce is then brought before a judge, both parties share their arguments, and the judge makes the final decision on those issues. Contested divorces can take a long time to complete.  

Uncontested 

An uncontested divorce has a lot of pros: it can be a much smoother process, cost less, and take way less time than a contested divorce. In an uncontested divorce, spouses can agree on the key divorce issues. They can do this with the support of a divorce attorney, or they can go through mediation. However, whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, it will need to be finalized before a judge.  

Alimony 

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is when one spouse pays the other a certain amount of money each month. Alimony decisions are made according to the financial contributions, education level, skills, and earning capacity of each spouse. Generally, alimony is only rewarded in long-term marriages.  

Asset Division 

After a divorce, spouses generally will divide assets, including property, debt, savings, and more. It is distributed equitably so that each spouse gets a fair amount of assets. 

Children and Divorce 

Whether the divorce is amicable or not, children are often affected by divorce. The courts care about the well-being of children of divorce. For this reason, issues such as child custody and child support should be fought for with the support of a divorce attorney.  

Child Custody  

Child custody can be a difficult process for both parents to endure. When custody decisions are made by the court, it is always made with the goal to create the best situation for the children involved. The decisions are made based on issues surrounding mental and physical health, emotional bonds, lifestyle and social factors, living patterns, education, and the child’s preferences. 

Some of the types of custody arrangements include: 

• Sole legal custody and sole physical custody to one parent; 

• Sole physical custody and joint shared legal custody; 

• Joint physical custody and joint legal custody; 

• Or sole legal custody and joint physical custody (however, please take note that this isn’t common). 

Child Support 

In general, non-custodial parents pay child support to custodial parents to help with expenses such as basic necessities like food, clothing, school supplies, and more. Child support is decided based on parental income and other factors, such as health insurance, the standard of living before the divorce, and more.  

Please note that child support must be paid even if the custodial parent doesn’t keep the custody order.  

Family Law Attorneys in Bend, Oregon 

No matter your legal needs, our Haskett Williams Monaghan Attorneys at Law attorneys will support, guide, and advocate for you. We serve those in Bend, Redmond, Sun River, Prineville, Sisters, and the surrounding areas. Don’t face the courts by yourself. Reach out today to schedule a consultation, and we can work together for a better future for you and your family.