Put the Children First, Not in the Middle
If you are a parent who is contemplating a dissolution of your relationship or going through one, it is important to realize that a divorce or dissolution of a registered "domestic partnership" will have a profound effect on your children. That is why it is important to do everything you can to minimize the negative consequences for your children. Put their needs first. Don't put your children in the middle of the battlefield.
Unlike child support, which is determined by a set formula, child custody and parenting time are hard to predict. Judges have a great deal of discretion in awarding child custody and parenting time. Even if the parents agree upon a parenting plan, the judge has the final word and will not approve a parenting plan that the judge does not think is in the child’s best interests.
In child custody and parenting time (visitation), the best interests of the children are the primary concern of the court — not fairness to the parents.
Mandatory Parenting Classes — Mediation
All divorcing parents or parents terminating registered "domestic partnerships" must attend a county-sponsored parenting class to help them understand the impact of divorce on their children. The parents must also attend mandatory mediation. If mediation fails to resolve custody and parenting time issues, the case goes to court where a judge will decide who gets custody and what parenting plan is in the children’s best interest.
At Jensen & Leiberan, our family law attorneys realize that reaching an amicable child custody and parenting time agreement is not always possible. A satisfactory custody arrangement takes two reasonable parents who are dedicated to protecting their children from the negative fallout of a divorce or termination of a registered "domestic partnership".
Working to Settle Issues out of Court
Our lawyers will work diligently to build consensus and propose creative solutions that may fit your specific needs. But we cannot control the other party.
If the case is headed to court, we won't back down from the fight. Our years of trial experience and our creativity as litigators aid our clients in every case we take to court.
To discuss your concerns over child custody and parenting time with an experienced Portland family law attorney, please contact Jensen & Leiberan to arrange a consultation.
