The Strength Portland Area Residents Need in Troubling Times
The family law attorneys of Jensen & Leiberan in Portland, Oregon, have the strength and experience you need to help you prevail on any legal issue involving divorce or family law. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled lawyers.
We have gone up against some of the toughest attorneys in the state and we are not afraid to fight for our clients. Jensen & Leiberan is one of only four law firms in the state of Oregon listed in the family law section of Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Our attorneys represent clients in all of the following family law issues:
- Divorce: Legally termed dissolution of marriage, this action ends a marriage and establishes a plan for dividing property (assets and debts) and caring for and financially supporting children and dependent spouses or legally registered same sex "domestic partners."
- Child support & spousal support (alimony): There is little room for variation from established child support guidelines, but the law regarding spousal support is much more flexible. We represent clients with support claims and clients seeking to contest or modify an order of child or spousal support.
- Child custody & parenting time (visitation): The fitness of the parents and the best interests of the children are the primary concerns. We work to help clients come to a workable agreement outside of court. If this is not possible, we will fight in court for your right to custody and/or parenting time.
- Grandparent, stepparent and other non-parent custody and visitation rights: When there are concerns that parents are unfit, we assert custody claims on behalf of grandparents, stepparents and other non-parents who have a child-parent relationship with the child. We represent relatives or other third parties who have an ongoing relationship with the child and seek visitation rights that parents oppose. We also defend the constitutional right of parents to the custody of their own children against unjustified claims of third parties and represent parents who oppose relatives or other third-parties having visitation with their children when the parents do not believe that this contact is in their children's best interest.
- Dissolution of same sex registered “domestic partnerships” (known in other states as “civil unions”): Couples who have legally registered as a "domestic partnership” have the same rights and responsibilities that married persons have under existing statutes and case law. Therefore, the issues involved and our representation of those dissolving registered “domestic partnerships” are the same as for a divorce.
- Domestic violence: If you are the victim of domestic violence or are afraid you will soon become one, or if you need forceful and effective representation against an accusation of domestic violence, please contact us immediately. We represent clients seeking Family Abuse Prevention restraining orders (FAPA) and defend clients against motions for FAPA orders when they are not justified.
- Stalking Orders: We work both with petitioners seeking stalking orders and with respondents against whom a stalking protective order is sought.
- Unmarried cohabitation: The legal rights and obligations are not defined by statute for persons who cohabit but have not entered into a contract defining their rights and responsibilities, are not married, or have not legally registered as a “domestic partnership.” When such relationships are terminated, the property rights of such couples are controlled by case law that can be inconsistent and that frequently does not cover all issues. We will explain your rights and help you obtain a fair division of assets.
- Division of property (assets and debts): Who gets the car, the house, the bank accounts, and the credit card bills? Our legal team works to make certain there is a fair and equitable distribution of assets and debts. We also work with individuals with separate assets and those with business or corporate interests to assure that your rights are protected.
- Modifications: As your life changes, your court-ordered child support, spousal support, and child custody and parenting time arrangements may need to change as well. We will evaluate your entire situation and explain the risk and benefits of seeking a modification. If you decide to seek a modification we will vigorously represent you to achieve your goals, first through negotiation and then, if necessary, in court.
- Legal separation: Whether for religious reasons, to preserve health care coverage or because you can't live together but aren't ready to divorce, legal separation offers a viable option for some people. However, there are pitfalls that we will explain that are important considerations for anyone considering a legal separation.
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements: These agreements often make sense in second or subsequent marriages or when there is a disparity of income or assets in a first marriage. We draft and review prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
- Adoption: We help families become one through stepparent adoption and help them grow through private adoptions.
- Paternity: Without establishing paternity, a father has no legal right to child custody or parenting time, and an unmarried mother has no right to receive child support from the father of her children. We represent clients seeking to establish paternity and defend clients against paternity claims that they believe are unfounded.
When you need a Portland area divorce attorney who can go toe-to-toe in court with any lawyer in Oregon in a custody or parenting time dispute or a powerful attorney who can make certain your rights are protected in complex property division issues, you can count on Jensen & Leiberan. Please contact our office in Beaverton to arrange an initial consultation.
