When your family life begins to shift, and divorce becomes a reality, the emotional toll can feel enormous. You may be wondering what your next steps should be, how this will impact your children, your finances, or your future stability. These are deeply personal questions—and they deserve more than just legal answers.
At Bott and Foster, our Lake Oswego divorce lawyers provide experienced, compassionate guidance during times of uncertainty. We’re here to listen to your concerns, protect your interests, and help you make decisions that support your long-term goals. With decades of combined experience in Oregon family law, we approach every case with integrity, care, and a clear strategy.
We serve individuals and families throughout Lake Oswego and Clackamas County. Whether your case is simple or complex, cooperative or contested, we are here to offer clarity and strong legal representation. Our Lake Oswego divorce lawyers work hard to ensure every client feels heard, informed, and supported.
Navigating Divorce in Lake Oswego
Divorce is not just a legal process—it’s a life transition. For many people, it’s also one of the most difficult periods they’ll ever face. In Oregon, you don’t need to prove fault to get a divorce. However, you do need to make important decisions about parenting, property, and finances.
Our team helps you understand what to expect at each stage. We explain timelines, file the necessary documents, and develop a plan to address the specific needs of your family. If your divorce can be resolved through mediation or negotiation, we guide you through those conversations. And if it requires courtroom litigation, we’re ready to advocate strongly on your behalf.
We tailor our approach to your goals. Whether that means preserving family harmony, protecting financial assets, or creating a parenting schedule that reflects your child’s best interests—we’re in your corner.
Child Custody, Parenting Time, and Paternity
If children are involved, custody and parenting time will likely be your biggest concern. Oregon law requires parenting plans that support a child’s physical, emotional, and developmental well-being. The court always considers what’s in the best interest of the child—but that can look different for every family.
At Bott and Foster, we help parents in Lake Oswego develop customized parenting plans that reflect your child’s needs and your role as a parent. We’ll walk you through legal custody, physical custody, visitation schedules, and holiday planning.
We also handle paternity matters, helping clients establish or challenge legal parentage. Establishing paternity can be critical when it comes to custody, parenting time, and child support. These cases can be sensitive, and we manage them with the care they deserve.
And when your life circumstances change—as they often do—we help you seek parenting plan modifications that reflect new schedules, relocations, or evolving family dynamics.
Spousal Support and Child Support Modification
Spousal support is one of the most misunderstood areas of divorce. Some clients aren’t sure if they qualify to receive it or worry they’ll be ordered to pay more than they can afford. Oregon doesn’t guarantee support in every divorce, but in many cases, it plays an important role in creating financial balance post-marriage.
We help you assess whether spousal support is appropriate based on the length of the marriage, income disparities, earning potential, and contributions made during the relationship. Whether temporary, transitional, or long-term support is involved, we work to ensure the final outcome is fair.
We also assist with child support modification. If your income has changed, your child’s needs have increased, or your co-parent is no longer meeting their obligations, we can help you request a new support arrangement that aligns with your current situation.
These financial decisions matter. We take the time to understand your needs and protect your financial future—so you can focus on what comes next.
Dividing Property and Debts in Divorce
In Lake Oswego divorces, property division often becomes one of the most contentious areas. Oregon uses equitable distribution, meaning that assets and debts are divided fairly—even if not always equally. The goal is to achieve a resolution that acknowledges each party’s contributions and needs.
We guide clients through the process of identifying marital property, evaluating asset values, and negotiating a division that feels just. Whether you’re dealing with a family home, retirement savings, a small business, or shared debts, we provide the legal and practical insight needed to navigate it all.
If necessary, we collaborate with appraisers and financial professionals to ensure that no asset is undervalued or overlooked.
What May Be Included in Property Division:
- Real estate, including the marital home
- Retirement accounts, pensions, and IRAs
- Investment portfolios and savings accounts
- Business interests and professional practices
- Credit card debt, loans, and tax liabilities
Your financial foundation matters. Our Lake Oswego divorce lawyers help protect what you’ve built and make sure you understand what you’re entitled to under Oregon law.
Post-Divorce Modifications and Adult Guardianship
Divorce doesn’t end your legal journey. Over time, life changes. Kids grow. Incomes shift. New opportunities arise. Bott and Foster is here to help you respond to those changes through legal modifications and enforcement.
If your parenting schedule no longer works or your financial picture has changed, we’ll help you seek a modification. If your former spouse is not following the terms of your divorce decree, we take action to enforce the orders and restore accountability.
We also assist families with adult guardianship proceedings. If a loved one is unable to care for themselves due to aging, illness, or disability, appointing a legal guardian may become necessary. We guide you through the process with patience and professionalism, helping ensure your loved one is safe and supported.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements in Lake Oswego
Sometimes, the best way to prevent future conflict is to plan ahead. Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements help couples clarify financial expectations before or during marriage. These contracts can protect premarital assets, define roles in the event of separation, and provide peace of mind for both spouses.
We work with individuals and couples to draft clear, enforceable agreements that reflect their intentions and stand up to legal scrutiny. Whether you’re entering a second marriage, managing complex finances, or simply want transparency—these agreements offer real value.
Why Lake Oswego Clients Trust Bott and Foster
Clients in Lake Oswego choose Bott and Foster because we blend experience with empathy. We take time to understand the people behind each case. We listen closely, explain thoroughly, and act decisively.
We’re proud of the relationships we build with our clients. From your first consultation to the final resolution, you’ll know where your case stands, what options you have, and that you’re being fully supported.
People turn to our Lake Oswego divorce lawyers because:
- We’re responsive and reliable
- We take the time to explain your rights
- We understand the emotional side of family law
- We fight hard for your interests when it matters most
We believe family law should be handled with care. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to every day.
Speak with a Lake Oswego Divorce Lawyer Today
If you’re navigating divorce, custody, support, paternity, or guardianship in Lake Oswego, Bott and Foster is ready to help. Our Lake Oswego divorce lawyers will meet you with compassion and guide you with confidence—so you don’t have to face this alone.
Call our office at (503) 726-6108 or fill out our contact form to schedule your consultation. Let’s talk about what matters most to you—and how we can help protect it.