Portland Family Law Services

The process of going through a divorce is almost always a difficult time. Divorces are often, although not always, acrimonious proceedings that are rife with the potential for conflict. However, the most challenging divorces are those in which children are involved.

Our child custody attorneys are intimately familiar with how the courts determine child custody matters and are prepared to aggressively advocate on behalf of our clients’ interests throughout every step of the process.

Few issues in a Portland divorce have the ability to become more contentious than those involving children. While many couples focus initially on which parent will have custody of the children, ultimately the parties must address the issue of child support.

The dedicated Oregon child custody attorneys at Gearing, Rackner & McGrath, LLP, have extensive experience handling divorce cases as well as the issues that frequently come up when going through a divorce, including child custody and child support.

Oregon law allows for couples to use a collaborative divorce attorney to work through the many issues that must be decided during a divorce. If both spouses are willing to engage in the collaborative process, it can reduce much of the anxiety that is typically associated with a divorce.

We understand and appreciate the benefits that the collaborative process can provide to our clients and are skilled at coming up with fair agreements that are acceptable to both sides.

Whether you came to an agreement through negotiations, or had a court decide child custody issues and spousal support, it’s often a major relief for everyone once the process is over. However, what happens when one spouse fails to live up to their obligations?

We are intimately familiar with the disagreements that can—and often do—arise after a divorce is finalized.

Even when both spouses can agree that divorce is the best option, it can still be an emotional process. And at its worst, the emotions that splitting up causes can turn every issue into a disagreement, even those in which it seemed there would be a mutual understanding and agreement.

At the Portland divorce and family law firm of Gearing Rackner & McGrath, LLP, we represent clients going through the difficult process of divorce.

Ending a relationship is never easy, and same-sex registered domestic partnerships are no exception. Oregon’s domestic partnership law creates a relationship much like a marriage, and the process of ending the partnership is similar to a divorce.

At Gearing, Rackner & McGrath, LLP, we help former domestic partners through this challenging time by providing them with effective advocacy and unwavering support through each step of the process.

Grandparents provide children with a unique perspective on life that a child's parents may not have yet developed. Unfortunately, a grandparent's relationship with either of a grandchild's parents may interfere with them being able to spend time with their grandchildren.

At Gearing, Rackner & McGrath, LLP, we help grandparents and other third-parties seeking visitation or custody of a child through this challenging process by providing them with effective advocacy and unwavering support through each step of the process.

A divorce is complicated even under the best of circumstances. A high net worth divorce is especially so. Certain circumstances can make the process of divorcing more difficult. Money and complicated assets are a chief concern.

If you are facing a complex or high net worth divorce, you need an attorney who understands the needs of a high net worth.

Divorce is not the only option for those who are considering ending a marriage. Under state law, an Oregon separation or annulment may also be an available option, depending on the circumstances. Both legal separations and annulments are used far less often than divorces; however, each has its distinct purpose.

At Gearing, Rackner & McGrath, LLP, we help former partners through the Oregon annulments and separations by providing them with effective advocacy and unwavering support through each step of the process.

Divorce, child custody and support, and similar family law questions are deeply personal. They go to the heart of our deepest cares and concerns.

With so much at stake, it’s common for tempers to flare and unhealed issues to surface. Even people who expected to work together calmly may find they cannot do so when the questions are so close to their hearts.

Mediation offers an alternative path for parties to reach an agreement on tough topics without going to court. Attorney David Gearing practices family law with a special focus on mediation in Oregon.

After the original dissolution, legal separation, or other legal ruling, certain issues may be modified either by agreement or court order. Modifications can be less complicated than the original legal action, but this is not an absolute.

Parents have many rights and responsibilities when it comes to their children. For some fathers, establishing a legal relationship with a child they believe to be their own can be a challenging task.

As experienced family law attorneys, we understand the concerns that can arise on both sides in contested paternity cases.

A post-nuptial agreement, also called a post-marital agreement, is a contract between spouses that is entered into after marriage. Like a prenuptial agreement, a post-nuptial agreement defines the parameters of the relationship and sets forth the expectations when it comes to the financial relationship between the spouses.

Our dedicated team of post-nuptial agreement attorneys have extensive experience drafting enforceable post-marital agreements that can help clarify expectations and lay a firm foundation for any marriage.

A post-nuptial agreement, also called a post-marital agreement, is a contract between spouses that is entered into after marriage. Like a prenuptial agreement, a post-nuptial agreement defines the parameters of the relationship and sets forth the expectations when it comes to the financial relationship between the spouses.

We strongly believe in the value that a prenuptial agreement adds to a new marriage and work to create creative solutions that will provide for our clients in the event of the unanticipated.

If you have been the victim of domestic violence or abuse by a partner or relative, the law allows for immediate protective measures to ensure your safety and, in some cases, the safety of any joint minor children. A court may issue a restraining order that restricts contact between the abuser and the victim.

A common and potentially serious conflict between coparents involves the relocation of the child or children a significant distance away from one of the parents. When a move threatens one parent’s time with their child, the courts must ensure that relocating is something that will benefit the children and be in their best interest.

Custody issues are especially emotional, and our attorneys are committed to providing compassionate and personalized service.

Transitioning to life as a single person often leads to financial uncertainty for both spouses. Not surprisingly, chief among the concerns for many considering a divorce is whether alimony, or spousal support, will be awarded by the court.

If you are in the process of seeking spousal support in Oregon, or believe that your spouse intends on pursuing a spousal support order, contact one of the dedicated Oregon family law attorneys at Gearing, Rackner & McGrath, LLP.