Family focused. Results driven.
At Flinn Law Northwest, we understand the difficulty that comes with family law matters. We have years of experience in these situations, enabling us to protect you, your family, and your financial interests in these trying times.
We are with you every step of the way.
Our goal is to resolve cases efficiently in a cost-effective manner. We work to get the most favorable outcome for you, as quickly and discreetly as possible, so you can put this chapter behind you and move forward with your life.
We use our best efforts to settle issues through negotiation and/or mediation, when possible. Settlement saves you time and money and it also allows you to customize the agreement. When negotiation or mediation is not successful, we are fully prepared to litigate your matter in court.
Our team has proven experience litigating family law matters and we will work diligently to get you the best possible outcome.
Our Family Law Practice Areas
Divorce
If you are contemplating a divorce or going through a divorce, it is important that you have the right team on your side. Flinn Law Northwest has the experience and expertise to help you through the divorce process and to protect you, your family, and your financial future. We will stay by your side every step of the way, providing compassion and guidance as you navigate into a new way of life. Our goal is to help you move forward.
Property Division
Property division is an important aspect of a divorce, as it sets the tone for your financial future. Once the marital assets and debts are divided in a divorce, the allocation cannot be modified. Therefore, it is essential to do it correctly. Flinn Law Northwest has the experience to help you navigate negotiations, or, if an agreement cannot be reached, to advocate on your behalf in court.
Child Custody
Sometimes parents can agree upon custody and a visitation schedule for their children. However, oftentimes it is complicated and emotional. Our team has experience working with a wide range of custody and parenting time matters. We know that your children are your top priority and helping you protect them will become ours too.
We work hard to customize visitation schedules so that they work best for your family. We are on your side, and we want to make sure your children are protected throughout the process and into the future.
Child Support
We work to ensure that the best financial interests of your children are served. Both parents have a duty to provide adequate support for their children in proportion to their respective incomes.
The State of Oregon has adopted uniform child support calculations that are used when calculating a parent’s child support obligation. Attorneys use the State’s child support calculator to determine which parent should provide support and for what amount. It is difficult to provide estimated child support amounts before a calculation is made due to the factors considered in the calculation and the numbers that are needed. The common factors considered in calculating child support are income, number of children, overnight visits, health insurance, and other credits/deductions.
We can answer any questions you have about child support calculations and guide you through the child support process.
Spousal Support/Alimony
When spousal support/alimony is part of a divorce case, we work side-by-side with clients to ensure monthly expenses and each spouse’s income are accurate. To ease any concerns, we spend extensive time with the client discussing various support options prior to commencing negotiations, including lump-sum payments and property settlements.
Modification of Existing Orders
We have experience with a variety of modifications, from spousal support to child support to child custody and parenting time.
When a case is finalized, the general judgment sets forth terms for the parties to abide by. For instance, child support or spousal support payments may be required, or the parents may have to adhere to a parenting time schedule. What happens when one parent can no longer meet the demands of the order? What if you must make child support payments each month, but you lost your job? What if the other party moves 3 hours away and the visitation schedule is no longer feasible? You may need to consider a modification action.
Read More
The court will not modify orders simply because one party is tired of following that order or regrets the agreement. To modify a spousal support or child support order, the party requesting the modification has to show a substantial change in economic circumstances since the entry of the last judgment.
To modify parenting time, a party must show that the change is in the best interests of the children. To modify custody, a party must show not only that a substantial change in circumstances happened since the last judgment, but also that it is in the best interests of the children to change custody from one parent to the other. A substantial change in circumstances must be material, unexpected, and connected to a parent’s ability to care for the children.
Modifications are analyzed on a case-by-case basis. While a judge has certain factors they must consider, each case is unique. Our team can help identify the most important facts in your case and develop a strategy to present the most persuasive argument in court.
Enforcement of Existing Orders or Judgments
When a court issues an order or judgment, it becomes legally binding, and all parties must obey the order. If one party willfully disobeys the order or judgment, court penalties may be imposed. This is known as being held in contempt of court. Civil contempt actions are common in family law cases, as the court orders and judgments often involve custody, child support, property settlements, and other provisions.
You should contact Flinn Law Northwest as soon as you believe your ex-partner is willfully violating the court order. If you wait too long to file a contempt action, you miss the opportunity to present your case to a judge. We’ll answer any questions you have about contempt and help you get the process started without delay.
Paternity
“Paternity” is the legal term used when referring to the man who is the biological father of a child. When paternity is established, a father has rights and responsibilities towards the child. If paternity is not established, a man may not have parenting time, a voice in decisions for the child, or remain informed about the child’s doctors and schools.
Read More
Just because a man’s name appears on a child’s birth certificate, that does not establish paternity. Sometimes a man who is not the biological father of a child is named on the birth certificate. A genetic test may be necessary to definitively know the truth.
If paternity has been established between a child and a man who is not the biological father (for example, when a wife has a child by a different man), then paternity needs to be disestablished. The process to disestablish includes a genetic test to disprove paternity. If paternity is not timely disestablished, then the “legal” father, not the biological father, could have financial responsibility for a child that is not his.
Pre-Nuptial, Post-Nuptial and Cohabitation Agreements
Our team can help if you are interested in drafting a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement, or if such an agreement has been presented to you by your fiancé or spouse.
A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is a written contract between two people who are getting married. In the past, prenuptial agreements were rare and were often only used by the wealthy. Today, more people are seeing the benefit that a prenuptial agreement can provide, particularly when remarrying or marrying after they have purchased a home or acquired other assets.
Read More
A postnuptial agreement is like a prenuptial agreement, but it is entered into after marriage. Both postnups and prenups will cover similar details about property and how it will be divided in the event of divorce.
A cohabitation agreement is a contract between two people who choose to live in the same house and have joint property. The most common joint property is the house. A cohabitation agreement determines the procedure for refinancing, selling, and transferring interest in property. This allows the parties to have an understanding as to how the property will be treated in the event the relationship ends. If parties do not have a cohabitation agreement and cannot determine what to do with the joint property after the relationship ends, then one is forced to go to court.
A cohabitation agreement will typically contain a provision that states that the agreement terminates upon marriage. In the event the parties intend to marry, a cohabitation agreement can be replaced by a prenuptial agreement.
Flinn Law Northwest understands the importance of a clear and legally sound agreement and has the experience to make sure your interests are fully protected.
Legal Separation
Legal separation is a legal process where two people separate; divide assets and debts; establish child custody and parenting time; and determine child support and spousal support. This is similar to a divorce, but without a formal, final judgment. For some people, legal separation is preferable to a divorce; for example, a couple who wishes to separate but want to continue to use one spouse’s health insurance.
Flinn Law Northwest can help provide answers and assistance for you to come to an agreement with your spouse concerning these matters to ensure the court will approve your separation.
Name Change
If you are looking for assistance with correcting a birth certificate or would like to change your name, or the name of your child, Flinn Law Northwest can help you to prepare the documents necessary to promptly get results.
Restraining Orders and Protective Orders
If you have been the victim of abuse, it is imperative that you have a protective order in place. Our team can help you present your case to a judge to protect yourself and your loved ones.
If you have a protective order against you, the consequences can be significant, including the loss of your right to possess firearms. You need a lawyer who can challenge an order with experience and an aggressive strategy.
Read More
Flinn Law Northwest is experienced in helping clients file and litigate restraining orders and protective orders. If you have found yourself in a situation where you need to obtain or challenge a restraining order, or protective order of any kind, we can help you through this difficult time.
In instances of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other types of abuse, a person can seek protection by petitioning a judge for a restraining order or protective order. Such orders may prohibit an alleged abuser from contacting or even coming within a certain distance of a petitioner. The order may also include other prohibitions, such as requiring the alleged abuser to move from a shared residence or provide emergency monetary relief. They may even award child custody, subject to parenting time, to the petitioner.
Adoption
A child can be adopted by a relative, a stepparent, or a nonrelative. Sometimes a state agency is involved (for example, a nonrelative adoption).
In any adoption, a petition must be filed with the court. If the birth parents agree to the adoption, additional forms showing their agreement are required. Sometimes a guardian is appointed for the child to be adopted. In certain adoptions a home study is required.
Read More
A judge will allow an adoption when they conclude it is in the best interests of the child. The family who is asking to adopt must show that they can contribute to the long-term emotional, physical, financial, and educational needs of the child.
If a birth parent does not agree to the adoption, a judge can still allow the adoption to occur.
To make the adoption process as quick and trouble-free as possible, you need a lawyer who has the experience necessary to identify issues and create solutions. Flinn Law Nothwest can assist you in your adoption needs to provide long-term stability for your future family.
Divorce
If you are contemplating a divorce or going through a divorce, it is important that you have the right team on your side. Flinn Law Northwest has the experience and expertise to help you through the divorce process and to protect you, your family, and your financial future. We will stay by your side every step of the way, providing compassion and guidance as you navigate into a new way of life. Our goal is to help you move forward.
Property Division
Property division is an important aspect of a divorce, as it sets the tone for your financial future. Once the marital assets and debts are divided in a divorce, the allocation cannot be modified. Therefore, it is essential to do it correctly. Flinn Law Northwest has the experience to help you navigate negotiations, or, if an agreement cannot be reached, to advocate on your behalf in court.
Child Custody
Sometimes parents can agree upon custody and a visitation schedule for their children. However, oftentimes it is complicated and emotional. Our team has experience working with a wide range of custody and parenting time matters. We know that your children are your top priority and helping you protect them will become ours too.
We work hard to customize visitation schedules so that they work best for your family. We are on your side, and we want to make sure your children are protected throughout the process and into the future.
Child Support
We work to ensure that the best financial interests of your children are served. Both parents have a duty to provide adequate support for their children in proportion to their respective incomes.
The State of Oregon has adopted uniform child support calculations that are used when calculating a parent’s child support obligation. Attorneys use the State’s child support calculator to determine which parent should provide support and for what amount. It is difficult to provide estimated child support amounts before a calculation is made due to the factors considered in the calculation and the numbers that are needed. The common factors considered in calculating child support are income, number of children, overnight visits, health insurance, and other credits/deductions.
We can answer any questions you have about child support calculations and guide you through the child support process.
Spousal Support/Alimony
When spousal support/alimony is part of a divorce case, we work side-by-side with clients to ensure monthly expenses and each spouse’s income are accurate. To ease any concerns, we spend extensive time with the client discussing various support options prior to commencing negotiations, including lump-sum payments and property settlements.
Modification of Existing Orders
We have experience with a variety of modifications, from spousal support to child support to child custody and parenting time.
When a case is finalized, the general judgment sets forth terms for the parties to abide by. For instance, child support or spousal support payments may be required, or the parents may have to adhere to a parenting time schedule. What happens when one parent can no longer meet the demands of the order? What if you must make child support payments each month, but you lost your job? What if the other party moves 3 hours away and the visitation schedule is no longer feasible? You may need to consider a modification action.
Read More
The court will not modify orders simply because one party is tired of following that order or regrets the agreement. To modify a spousal support or child support order, the party requesting the modification has to show a substantial change in economic circumstances since the entry of the last judgment.
To modify parenting time, a party must show that the change is in the best interests of the children. To modify custody, a party must show not only that a substantial change in circumstances happened since the last judgment, but also that it is in the best interests of the children to change custody from one parent to the other. A substantial change in circumstances must be material, unexpected, and connected to a parent’s ability to care for the children.
Modifications are analyzed on a case-by-case basis. While a judge has certain factors they must consider, each case is unique. Our team can help identify the most important facts in your case and develop a strategy to present the most persuasive argument in court.
Enforcement of Existing Orders or Judgments
When a court issues an order or judgment, it becomes legally binding, and all parties must obey the order. If one party willfully disobeys the order or judgment, court penalties may be imposed. This is known as being held in contempt of court. Civil contempt actions are common in family law cases, as the court orders and judgments often involve custody, child support, property settlements, and other provisions.
You should contact Flinn Law Northwest as soon as you believe your ex-partner is willfully violating the court order. If you wait too long to file a contempt action, you miss the opportunity to present your case to a judge. We’ll answer any questions you have about contempt and help you get the process started without delay.
Paternity
“Paternity” is the legal term used when referring to the man who is the biological father of a child. When paternity is established, a father has rights and responsibilities towards the child. If paternity is not established, a man may not have parenting time, a voice in decisions for the child, or remain informed about the child’s doctors and schools.
Read More
Just because a man’s name appears on a child’s birth certificate, that does not establish paternity. Sometimes a man who is not the biological father of a child is named on the birth certificate. A genetic test may be necessary to definitively know the truth.
If paternity has been established between a child and a man who is not the biological father (for example, when a wife has a child by a different man), then paternity needs to be disestablished. The process to disestablish includes a genetic test to disprove paternity. If paternity is not timely disestablished, then the “legal” father, not the biological father, could have financial responsibility for a child that is not his.
Pre-Nuptial, Post-Nuptial and Cohabitation Agreements
Our team can help if you are interested in drafting a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement, or if such an agreement has been presented to you by your fiancé or spouse.
A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is a written contract between two people who are getting married. In the past, prenuptial agreements were rare and were often only used by the wealthy. Today, more people are seeing the benefit that a prenuptial agreement can provide, particularly when remarrying or marrying after they have purchased a home or acquired other assets.
Read More
A postnuptial agreement is like a prenuptial agreement, but it is entered into after marriage. Both postnups and prenups will cover similar details about property and how it will be divided in the event of divorce.
A cohabitation agreement is a contract between two people who choose to live in the same house and have joint property. The most common joint property is the house. A cohabitation agreement determines the procedure for refinancing, selling, and transferring interest in property. This allows the parties to have an understanding as to how the property will be treated in the event the relationship ends. If parties do not have a cohabitation agreement and cannot determine what to do with the joint property after the relationship ends, then one is forced to go to court.
A cohabitation agreement will typically contain a provision that states that the agreement terminates upon marriage. In the event the parties intend to marry, a cohabitation agreement can be replaced by a prenuptial agreement.
Flinn Law Northwest understands the importance of a clear and legally sound agreement and has the experience to make sure your interests are fully protected.
Legal Separation
Legal separation is a legal process where two people separate; divide assets and debts; establish child custody and parenting time; and determine child support and spousal support. This is similar to a divorce, but without a formal, final judgment. For some people, legal separation is preferable to a divorce; for example, a couple who wishes to separate but want to continue to use one spouse’s health insurance.
Flinn Law Northwest can help provide answers and assistance for you to come to an agreement with your spouse concerning these matters to ensure the court will approve your separation.
Name Change
If you are looking for assistance with correcting a birth certificate or would like to change your name, or the name of your child, Flinn Law Northwest can help you to prepare the documents necessary to promptly get results.
Restraining Orders and Protective Orders
If you have been the victim of abuse, it is imperative that you have a protective order in place. Our team can help you present your case to a judge to protect yourself and your loved ones.
If you have a protective order against you, the consequences can be significant, including the loss of your right to possess firearms. You need a lawyer who can challenge an order with experience and an aggressive strategy.
Read More
Flinn Law Northwest is experienced in helping clients file and litigate restraining orders and protective orders. If you have found yourself in a situation where you need to obtain or challenge a restraining order, or protective order of any kind, we can help you through this difficult time.
In instances of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other types of abuse, a person can seek protection by petitioning a judge for a restraining order or protective order. Such orders may prohibit an alleged abuser from contacting or even coming within a certain distance of a petitioner. The order may also include other prohibitions, such as requiring the alleged abuser to move from a shared residence or provide emergency monetary relief. They may even award child custody, subject to parenting time, to the petitioner.
Adoption
A child can be adopted by a relative, a stepparent, or a nonrelative. Sometimes a state agency is involved (for example, a nonrelative adoption).
In any adoption, a petition must be filed with the court. If the birth parents agree to the adoption, additional forms showing their agreement are required. Sometimes a guardian is appointed for the child to be adopted. In certain adoptions a home study is required.
Read More
A judge will allow an adoption when they conclude it is in the best interests of the child. The family who is asking to adopt must show that they can contribute to the long-term emotional, physical, financial, and educational needs of the child.
If a birth parent does not agree to the adoption, a judge can still allow the adoption to occur.
To make the adoption process as quick and trouble-free as possible, you need a lawyer who has the experience necessary to identify issues and create solutions. Flinn Law Nothwest can assist you in your adoption needs to provide long-term stability for your future family.