Child Custody and Child Support in Oregon
When spouses with children choose to divorce, arranging for the children is often the most difficult part of the divorce proceedings. Who should the children live with? Should the parents continue to share decision making regarding education, health care and religion? What type of parenting or visitation schedule best meets the children's needs?
At Fiscus & Stoneman, LLP, located in Lake Oswego, Oregon, we take a collaborative and child-centered approach to family disputes involving child custody, child support or visitation rights. This means that we work closely with our client — either the child's mother or father — to develop a resolution to the conflict that fits most closely with the long-term best interests of the child.
Our attorneys, both of whom are trained mediators and members of the National Association of Counsel for Children, have decades of legal experience. We pride ourselves on providing calm and practical legal advice to parents who find themselves caught up in a dispute over child custody, child support, or visitation rights.
We handle child-related legal disputes during new divorce proceedings, as well as conflicts that arise after a final divorce decree has been signed. For example, if you have questions about modification or enforcement of an existing divorce decree, we are happy to help.
Some Preliminary Information About Child Custody and Child Support
Oregon law does not automatically favor either parent when making a child custody determination. Instead, the court will examine each parent's circumstances, as well as the family history, to determine who should have primary custody of the children. Joint custody arrangements are not uncommon, especially when the parents plan to continue living in the same area.
When one parent has primary custody, the other non-custodial parent has the right to a reasonable visitation schedule. Visitation schedules should be worked out in detail before the divorce decree is final, to minimize the possibility of future disagreements about visitation time.
Child support is determined in Oregon according to guidelines established by law. Child support calculations take into account the income of each parent as well as the division of parenting time. The court will not readily accept downward departures from the amount of child support specified by the state child support guidelines. However, if one parent's financial circumstances change significantly, then either parent may apply to the court for a modification to the amount of child support.
Contact Fiscus & Stoneman, LLP
If you are considering divorce or are already a divorced parent, and you have questions about legal issues relating to your children, we urge you to contact us for clear guidance and advice about your legal options from an experienced lawyer.
To schedule an appointment, during which we can discuss the basics of your legal problem and how our office may be able to assist you, call 503-747-2765 or send us an e-mail.
