Life rarely goes as planned. When you’re facing a divorce or a major family transition, it can feel like the ground has shifted beneath you. The decisions ahead are deeply personal, often emotional, and almost always overwhelming. You may be asking yourself: How will this affect my children? What happens to our home? Will I be financially secure? These are big questions—and you don’t have to answer them alone.
At Bott and Foster, our Portland divorce lawyers help you navigate these changes with clarity, compassion, and strength. We understand that behind every legal issue is a real person with unique concerns, values, and goals. That’s why we offer more than legal advice; we offer guidance you can trust and advocacy that puts your future first.
We work with individuals and families throughout Portland and the surrounding communities, offering support during some of life’s most challenging moments. If you need help taking that next step, we’re here to talk, listen, and walk with you through it.
Divorce in Portland: What You Need to Know
Divorce is never just about filing paperwork. It involves unraveling a shared life, often filled with emotional complexity and practical concerns. Whether your divorce is amicable or contested, the process can be daunting. But with the right attorney, it doesn’t have to feel impossible.
Our team at Bott and Foster has worked with Portland residents from all walks of life. Some clients come to us early in the process, simply exploring their options. Others are in the midst of litigation and need experienced representation. No matter where you are, we meet you there.
We help you understand your rights, explain the timeline and steps involved, and tailor a plan to your specific needs. Oregon is a no-fault divorce state, which means that you don’t have to prove wrongdoing to dissolve your marriage. What matters most is how assets are divided, how children are cared for, and how to ensure everyone involved can move forward in a stable and healthy way.
Our Portland divorce lawyers are here to ensure you make confident choices at every turn, no matter how complicated your situation might seem.
Helping You Through Child Custody and Parenting Plans
If you have children, they’re likely at the center of your concerns. Custody arrangements are among the most sensitive and impactful parts of any family law case. Oregon law prioritizes the best interests of the child, but what that looks like depends heavily on your specific family dynamic.
At Bott and Foster, we take a thoughtful approach to parenting plans. We work with you to build an arrangement that reflects your child’s needs, respects your relationship with them, and promotes long-term stability. Whether you’re seeking joint custody, sole custody, or a custom parenting schedule, we help you put a plan in place that works—and one that the court will view as in the child’s best interest.
We frequently assist clients with parenting disputes that arise in paternity actions. Establishing legal parentage can be crucial to securing custody, parenting time, and child support orders. Whether you are seeking to establish or challenge paternity, we provide experienced guidance every step of the way.
When disputes arise, we advocate for fair and practical solutions. We also help with modifications to existing custody orders, enforcement issues, and questions about relocation.
Understanding Spousal Support
Spousal support, or alimony, is often one of the most misunderstood parts of divorce. Many clients come to us not knowing if they’re entitled to support or expected to pay it. In Oregon, spousal support is not automatic; it depends on several factors, including the length of the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the sacrifices made during the relationship.
We help our clients assess their financial picture and determine what kind of support makes sense. Whether you’re negotiating a temporary agreement during divorce proceedings or working toward a long-term arrangement, our goal is to ensure the outcome is both fair and sustainable.
Support orders can also be modified if circumstances change. If you’ve experienced a significant change in your income or family situation, we can help you file or respond to a child support modification or spousal support modification, ensuring the new terms reflect your current reality.
Our Portland divorce lawyers are ready to guide you through these financial negotiations with clarity and care.
Property and Debt Division in Oregon
One of the most complex parts of divorce is dividing the property and debt accumulated during the marriage. Oregon follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means the division must be fair, though not necessarily equal.
This is where strategic legal guidance becomes essential. We start by identifying which assets and debts are considered marital property. From there, we work with you to evaluate their value and decide how they should be divided. This process often includes real estate, vehicles, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal belongings. It also involves shared debts, such as mortgages, credit card balances, and loans.
We may bring in financial experts to help evaluate assets or ensure nothing is being hidden. Our priority is to protect your financial well-being and position you for a stable future.
Key Factors That Influence Property Division
- The length of your marriage
- Each spouse’s contributions to the household (financial and non-financial)
- The value of marital vs. separate property
- Your respective earning capacities
- Agreements made before or during the marriage
These factors help the court—and us—determine how to approach asset division in a way that reflects fairness and balance.
Modifications, Enforcement, and Adult Guardianship
Even after a divorce is finalized, your legal needs may continue. Life evolves. Jobs change. Kids grow. New challenges arise. When that happens, we help you modify court orders or enforce them if the other party is not following through.
This could involve changing your parenting schedule, updating child support based on new income levels, or taking legal action if agreements are being ignored. Whatever the need, we’re here to make sure your legal documents stay aligned with your real-life situation.
We also assist families in need of adult guardianship arrangements. If a loved one is no longer able to care for themselves or manage their affairs, we can guide you through the legal steps of appointing a guardian to ensure their protection and well-being.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements for Peace of Mind
Not all family law is about divorce. Sometimes it’s about planning ahead and protecting what matters. We help couples in Portland draft prenuptial and postnuptial agreements that clarify financial expectations, outline asset division, and reduce conflict in the future.
These agreements are especially helpful for second marriages, blended families, or individuals who want to protect family businesses or personal assets. Our goal is to make the process respectful, transparent, and legally sound.
Why Portland Clients Choose Bott and Foster
There are a lot of attorneys in Portland. But our clients choose us because we make this deeply personal process feel manageable. We treat you like a person, not a case file. We speak plainly, act with integrity, and always keep your best interest at the center of everything we do.
We bring decades of combined experience in Oregon family law. Whether your case involves simple negotiations or complex litigation, we provide the steady, strategic support you need.
Portland divorce lawyers should offer more than legal advice—they should offer peace of mind. And that’s what we strive to do every day.
We also pride ourselves on being responsive. When you call, we answer. When you email, we get back to you. You deserve a legal team that’s accessible, honest, and truly invested in your outcome.
Talk to a Portland Divorce Lawyer Today
You don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’re facing divorce, custody issues, paternity actions, or other family law matters in Portland, Bott and Foster is here to help. Whether you’re in the Pearl District, SE Portland, NW neighborhoods, or the surrounding metro area, we’re ready to provide the legal guidance and personal support you need to take the next step forward.
Contact our Portland divorce lawyers today. Call us at (503) 726-6108 or use our contact form. Let’s talk about what you need and how we can help you get there—with clarity, care, and confidence.