Mediator Matthew House, J.D. will assist you with addressing all of the following:
PROPERTY DIVISION
Although it is not a mediator's function to offer legal advice, Matthew will explain the consequences of each choice you might make concerning the division of your assets. He will discuss practical issues and legal issues. He will also discuss whether and how to manage a shared asset of which you may decide to retain joint ownership after the divorce. You may have what you consider a great idea about dividing your assets, but it may not make sense from a tax perspective, or there may be additional costs or burdens you have not thought about. Matthew brings you his legal education and 17 years of practical experience with families who may have handled situations similar to yours. You will benefit from understanding what went well for others as you make decisions for yourselves.
REAL PROPERTY AND BUSINESS PROPERTY
If you own real estate or a business, determining specific conditions for the sale, retention, or transfer of it are extremely important components of a thorough divorce. The court forms are nowhere near detailed enough, in Matthew's opinion. Matthew will review dozens of questions you should answer and agree to if real estate is among your assets. Matthew has a list of experts who can be consulted in specific areas of specialization if your particular circumstances require it.
DIVISION OF DEBTS
How will you protect yourselves financially as you divide your debts? How can you be sure the debts one party agrees to pay will be paid? Matthew has a list of practical safeguards that he inserts into every agreement, customized to the circumstances of the individual parties.
CHILD CUSTODY
In recent decades, divorcing parties have migrated away from the traditional model of "Dad gets every other weekend and Mom gets the rest of the time" with the kids. Some families do continue to choose that schedule because it meets their particular needs, but every family's circumstances are unique and should be treated as such. There is no such thing as a standard parenting plan produced by Matthew. He will offer you many ideas and options that you can use to craft a parenting plan with his help. Your children's input should also be considered a high priority. Matthew incorporates their points of view and addresses their questions and concerns.
Matthew explains the difference between joint custody and sole custody, and between physical custody and legal custody. People often confuse and conflate these terms, and understanding them is essential to a successful divorce. Otherwise, you may be agreeing to things based on a misunderstanding you do not discover until after the paperwork is finalized. Furthermore, it is important to discuss in mediation what your parenting standards will be, and what expectations will be enforced in both homes, to ensure consistency for the kids. Matthew will discuss things you may not have thought about, and he will shed light on what is legally enforceable and what may have to be only a "handshake" agreement without much legal effect. Depending on the type of decision to be made, there is likely to be some of both.
PARENTING TIME
The court forms ask only for a schedule. Specific details that streamline parenting time exchanges and the transition between two homes is a crucial component of the mediation process with Matthew. In this day and age, families are busier than ever, and there is much room for error and chaos without careful planning in advance. It seems as simple as filling out a schedule of when the children will be with Parent A and Parent B, but it would be a mistake to think that's all you need to be concerned about.
CHILD SUPPORT
What does child support actually pay for? What expenses are shared, and what expenses are individual? Will there be additional money paid beyond regular child support for specific expenses, or will the receiving parent be expected to finance everything with only the child support guideline amount? If parents want to exchange more child support than the guidelines, how can they do so in the most tax-advantaged manner and without causing delays in the processing of their paperwork at the courthouse?
YOUR KIDS' CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS
For people who have minor children or college-age children, the kids' input and needs are the most important things to consider in a divorce. Every child of divorce needs an independent and objective adult ally who will listen to them and advocate for their needs. Matthew has met with almost every child (ages 11 to 21) of his clients for the past 17 years. Very few divorce mediators make this a priority, and Matthew is the only one in metro Portland who does it free of charge. Children love both parents, and they are intensely loyal -- and intensely conflicted. Matthew provides a supportive and confidential setting for them to be open and candid. Many teens and preteens continue to meet with Matthew long after the divorce is finalized, because they enjoy the visits and value his perspectives.
SPOUSAL SUPPORT
The forms ask only who will pay and receive, how much, and for how long. Matthew will discuss tax consequences (especially in light of significant changes in the tax laws at the end of 2018), changes in the timeline for payment when appropriate, whether the parties want to modify spousal support in the future based on certain common conditions that often occur, and the effect of remarriage or cohabitation on spousal support. Significant changes related to spousal support took effect on January 1, 2019, so please check out Matthew's article on that topic.
TAX ISSUES
Matthew discusses the tax consequences of spousal support, child support, retirement accounts, investments, real estate, and dependency exemptions. The court forms do not address any of those questions.
INSURANCE
How to handle health insurance, life insurance, car insurance, and homeowner's insurance during and after a divorce is a particularly delicate subject that deserves high-priority attention. Matthew will review your options and obligations.
PROPERTY DIVISION
Although it is not a mediator's function to offer legal advice, Matthew will explain the consequences of each choice you might make concerning the division of your assets. He will discuss practical issues and legal issues. He will also discuss whether and how to manage a shared asset of which you may decide to retain joint ownership after the divorce. You may have what you consider a great idea about dividing your assets, but it may not make sense from a tax perspective, or there may be additional costs or burdens you have not thought about. Matthew brings you his legal education and 17 years of practical experience with families who may have handled situations similar to yours. You will benefit from understanding what went well for others as you make decisions for yourselves.
REAL PROPERTY AND BUSINESS PROPERTY
If you own real estate or a business, determining specific conditions for the sale, retention, or transfer of it are extremely important components of a thorough divorce. The court forms are nowhere near detailed enough, in Matthew's opinion. Matthew will review dozens of questions you should answer and agree to if real estate is among your assets. Matthew has a list of experts who can be consulted in specific areas of specialization if your particular circumstances require it.
DIVISION OF DEBTS
How will you protect yourselves financially as you divide your debts? How can you be sure the debts one party agrees to pay will be paid? Matthew has a list of practical safeguards that he inserts into every agreement, customized to the circumstances of the individual parties.
CHILD CUSTODY
In recent decades, divorcing parties have migrated away from the traditional model of "Dad gets every other weekend and Mom gets the rest of the time" with the kids. Some families do continue to choose that schedule because it meets their particular needs, but every family's circumstances are unique and should be treated as such. There is no such thing as a standard parenting plan produced by Matthew. He will offer you many ideas and options that you can use to craft a parenting plan with his help. Your children's input should also be considered a high priority. Matthew incorporates their points of view and addresses their questions and concerns.
Matthew explains the difference between joint custody and sole custody, and between physical custody and legal custody. People often confuse and conflate these terms, and understanding them is essential to a successful divorce. Otherwise, you may be agreeing to things based on a misunderstanding you do not discover until after the paperwork is finalized. Furthermore, it is important to discuss in mediation what your parenting standards will be, and what expectations will be enforced in both homes, to ensure consistency for the kids. Matthew will discuss things you may not have thought about, and he will shed light on what is legally enforceable and what may have to be only a "handshake" agreement without much legal effect. Depending on the type of decision to be made, there is likely to be some of both.
PARENTING TIME
The court forms ask only for a schedule. Specific details that streamline parenting time exchanges and the transition between two homes is a crucial component of the mediation process with Matthew. In this day and age, families are busier than ever, and there is much room for error and chaos without careful planning in advance. It seems as simple as filling out a schedule of when the children will be with Parent A and Parent B, but it would be a mistake to think that's all you need to be concerned about.
CHILD SUPPORT
What does child support actually pay for? What expenses are shared, and what expenses are individual? Will there be additional money paid beyond regular child support for specific expenses, or will the receiving parent be expected to finance everything with only the child support guideline amount? If parents want to exchange more child support than the guidelines, how can they do so in the most tax-advantaged manner and without causing delays in the processing of their paperwork at the courthouse?
YOUR KIDS' CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS
For people who have minor children or college-age children, the kids' input and needs are the most important things to consider in a divorce. Every child of divorce needs an independent and objective adult ally who will listen to them and advocate for their needs. Matthew has met with almost every child (ages 11 to 21) of his clients for the past 17 years. Very few divorce mediators make this a priority, and Matthew is the only one in metro Portland who does it free of charge. Children love both parents, and they are intensely loyal -- and intensely conflicted. Matthew provides a supportive and confidential setting for them to be open and candid. Many teens and preteens continue to meet with Matthew long after the divorce is finalized, because they enjoy the visits and value his perspectives.
SPOUSAL SUPPORT
The forms ask only who will pay and receive, how much, and for how long. Matthew will discuss tax consequences (especially in light of significant changes in the tax laws at the end of 2018), changes in the timeline for payment when appropriate, whether the parties want to modify spousal support in the future based on certain common conditions that often occur, and the effect of remarriage or cohabitation on spousal support. Significant changes related to spousal support took effect on January 1, 2019, so please check out Matthew's article on that topic.
TAX ISSUES
Matthew discusses the tax consequences of spousal support, child support, retirement accounts, investments, real estate, and dependency exemptions. The court forms do not address any of those questions.
INSURANCE
How to handle health insurance, life insurance, car insurance, and homeowner's insurance during and after a divorce is a particularly delicate subject that deserves high-priority attention. Matthew will review your options and obligations.