Top best Family Lawyers Near me in ZIP 97232

What I truly love about practicing family law is that you, your life, your reality, and your emotions are front and center.  I specialize in respectful, out of court resolutions because the transition of divorce or separation is a time to sort out the things that really matter in your life and for your future, rather than simply focusing on the short-term requirements of a legal divorce. I am passionate about helping you do this.. I offer several services: collaborative law, divorce mediation, and a variety of options to help with uncontested or DIY divorces.. Collaborative Law. Collaborative divorce is an out-of-court, non-adversarial resolution method. Here, you and your spouse work through a specific, interest-based decision making process together in a series of private, safe, joint meetings. Each of you receives guidance and advice from your own attorney, who is specially trained in this process. You may also choose to incorporate other professionals in the process to support you and your family through the transition (e.g., a child specialist, divorce coach, or financial professional). This approach allows you to retain a high-degree of privacy and control over the timeline of your separation, since it is designed to keep you entirely out of the court system until it's time to file your final, agreed-upon judgment. It also allows for creative and well-informed problem-solving.. Divorce Mediation. Divorce mediation is an informal negotiation between you and your spouse, facilitated by a neutral third party specially trained in helping couples respectfully discuss the issues to be decided. You and your spouse retain all decision making authority. The mediator can offer suggestions, but can not "tell you what you should do" or settle disagreements. Because the mediator is neutral and does not represent you or your spouse, the mediator can not give either of you legal advice. Divorce mediation can happen at any time during the divorce process and can be used in a variety of ways to help you resolve some or all of the issues to be decided.. DIY Divorce / Limied or Unbundled Services. Many people are wary of the cost and emotional harm associated with traditional litigation. Others simply wish to avoid retaining attorneys for financial or other reasons. While it makes sense for almost everyone to have some guidance from an attorney while completing a divorce, there are a number of ways to do this with limited involvement of legal professionals.. Uncontested Divorce - When both you and your spouse wish to divorce (or one of you does and the other at least accepts it and is willing to sign divorce papers), one of you can hire an attorney on a limited basis to help you complete the process, and prepare and file the documents with the court.. Kitchen Table Settlement - If you and your spouse are willing and able to work out the details on your own ("around the kitchen table"), you can hire an attorney on a limited basis to review your agreement, make sure you haven't overlooked anything, and if you wish, prepare and file the necessary documents with the court.. Divorce Consulting - This can encompass a variety of things. If you are representing yourself when your spouse has an attorney, you can hire an attorney on a limited basis to consult with you about your options or issues, to review documents prepared by your spouses attorney, or to review documents you have prepared. You can also consult with an attorney to help you prepare for mediation, prepare for difficult conversations with your spouse, learn about specific legal issues, or help you prepare for a hearing.

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I support individuals and families through complex family transitions, with a commitment to achieving the best possible results with minimal emotional and financial strain. My practice includes Collaborative Divorce, mediation, independent adoption, and select contested litigation. My approach prioritizes building lasting agreements tailored to meet each family's unique circumstances while equipping clients with the tools they need to resolve future disputes on their own, without court involvement.. My ability to examine an issue from every side has helped me develop a balanced approach to family law cases. I help clients identify and prioritize their goals, staying grounded in what matters to them. Equal emphasis on client education and advocacy ensures my clients are well-informed and able to confidently make decisions about their cases.. I began my legal career as a paralegal at a law firm in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee before moving to Portland for law school where I externed as a clerk for the Honorable Robert E. Jones for the United States District Court, District of Oregon. Since moving to Portland, I have worked at firms with a wide range of practice areas, from business advising and strategy to elder law and intellectual property law. I hold a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Memphis and a juris doctor from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College.. In my free time, you may find me starting yet another DIY project, enjoying Portland's fantastic food, checking out a band, binging sitcoms, or getting lost in a puzzle.

A Portland divorce attorney that provides not only advocacy, but also understanding.  I understand that divorce, custody or modification of a previous judgment will be one of the more stressful experiences of your life.  It is my goal to listen to what issues are important to you, and to make sure those goals are met.  My philosophy is always to be up front and honest with my clients regarding what Oregon law mandates, and then find a way to achieve my clients' goals within the confines of the law.