If You’re Facing Divorce, Hire a Strong and Caring Advocate
We offer initial consultations at a reasonable cost to help prospective clients understand Oregon’s divorce process, review available legal strategies, and determine whether we’re the right fit for your case.
Our team at Romano Law have handled hundreds of Oregon divorce and family law cases over two decades. Highlights of our professional commitments and experience include:
Member, Oregon State Bar Family Law Section
Member, American Bar Association Family Law Section
Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Frequent attendee of Oregon State Bar and Multnomah County Bar Association family law lectures
More than 250 combined jury and bench trials
Over 10,000 hours in Oregon courtrooms
To schedule a confidential consultation, call 503-208-5529 or send us a message. We’re here to help.
Understanding Divorce in Portland
Divorces filed in Portland are usually heard in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Oregon is a no-fault divorce state, which means neither party needs to prove misconduct. The court will dissolve the marriage upon finding that irreconcilable differences have caused a permanent breakdown of the relationship.
Common Issues the Court Must Decide
Custody and parenting time
Child support and health insurance coverage
Spousal support (temporary, transitional, compensatory, or maintenance)
Division of marital property, retirement accounts, and debts
Responsibility for attorney fees and court costs
The Portland Divorce Process
Filing the Petition
One spouse, called the petitioner, files a petition for dissolution of marriage in Multnomah County. This begins the case and outlines requests for custody, support, property division, and other relief.
Response
The other spouse, called the respondent, has thirty days to file a written response and may include counter-claims. If no response is filed, the petitioner can request a default judgment.
Temporary Orders
While the case is pending, the court may issue temporary orders regarding custody, parenting time, financial support, or use of the marital home. In emergency situations, parties may request immediate temporary custody.
Discovery
Each side exchanges financial information, including tax returns, income statements, bank records, and retirement account data. This process ensures transparency and fairness before negotiation or trial.
Mediation and Settlement
Multnomah County strongly encourages settlement through mediation or a settlement conference before trial. If the parties reach an agreement, the court enters a Stipulated General Judgment of Dissolution.
Trial and Judgment
If settlement fails, a judge hears testimony, reviews evidence, and issues a General Judgment that dissolves the marriage and determines all rights and obligations.
Post-Judgment Matters
After a divorce is finalized, additional issues may arise, such as enforcement, contempt, or modification of custody, parenting time, or support. Our firm assists clients with post-judgment motions and compliance.
Key Considerations for Portland Families
Custody and Parenting Time
Judges base custody decisions on the best interests of the child. Parents are encouraged to create detailed parenting plans addressing school schedules, holidays, and communication.
Child Support
The court calculates support using Oregon’s official Child Support Guidelines. Adjustments may be made for parenting time, health insurance, or unique financial circumstances.
Spousal Support
Depending on the situation, spousal support can be transitional to help a spouse become self-sufficient, compensatory to recognize major contributions, or maintenance to balance long-term income differences.
Property and Debt Division
Oregon uses equitable distribution, not automatic 50/50 division. The court considers contributions of both spouses, financial and non-financial, when dividing homes, businesses, investments, and debts.
Why Portland Clients Choose Romano Law
Deep familiarity with Multnomah County family law judges and mediators
Decades of local courtroom experience in Portland and surrounding courts
Personalized strategy tailored to your family’s needs
Compassionate representation that balances advocacy with practical solutions
Our mission is to protect your children, your assets, and your peace of mind while guiding you toward a stable future.
About the Attorneys at Romano Law PC
Romano Law PC is led by a team of experienced Oregon trial attorneys focused on divorce, custody, and complex family law matters. The firm combines deep courtroom experience, strategic case planning, and local court knowledge across the Portland metro area and surrounding counties. Each attorney brings a distinct background while sharing a commitment to careful preparation, ethical advocacy, and practical problem-solving for families navigating high-stakes legal transitions.
Managing Attorney Michael G. Romano
Michael G. Romano is the founding and managing attorney of Romano Law PC. He earned his Juris Doctor from Willamette University College of Law after completing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science at Southern Oregon University. Before founding the firm in 2006, Mr. Romano began his legal career as a prosecutor, an experience that shaped his approach to litigation, evidence, and trial advocacy.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Romano has personally tried hundreds of jury and bench trials and conducted extensive motion practice, depositions, and contested hearings in Oregon courts. He has spent thousands of hours in courtrooms handling complex divorce, custody, parenting time, and criminal defense matters. His background as a trial lawyer informs the firm’s emphasis on preparation and strategic leverage, even in cases that ultimately resolve through negotiation.
Mr. Romano exceeds Oregon continuing legal education requirements each year and remains active in both state and national legal organizations related to family law and trial advocacy. He regularly represents clients in contested matters where credibility, evidence, and courtroom presentation are critical.
Attorney Brandi D. Becker
Brandi D. Becker is an experienced trial attorney with a background spanning domestic relations, criminal defense, and corporate counsel work. She earned her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Ms. Becker is admitted to practice in Oregon, Florida, and Tennessee.
Ms. Becker’s practice focuses on divorce and family law matters involving complex asset division, custody disputes, third-party rights, guardianships, termination of parental rights, and high-conflict litigation. She has extensive courtroom experience, including sole-chair jury trials, contested hearings, mediations, and arbitrations. Her work also includes representation in cases involving violations of court orders, probation issues, and matters intersecting with immigration and criminal law.
In addition to her litigation background, Ms. Becker previously served as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs for organizations with significant corporate and contractual complexity. That experience informs her analytical approach to financial issues, business interests, and risk assessment in divorce and property division cases. She brings a detail-oriented, strategic perspective to cases where legal, financial, and personal considerations intersect.
Attorney Marissa Martinez
Marissa Martinez is a family law attorney whose practice emphasizes thoughtful advocacy, careful legal analysis, and courtroom experience in Oregon domestic relations cases. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon School of Law and is an active member of the Oregon State Bar.
Ms. Martinez has represented clients in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, enforcement actions, and protective orders. Her experience includes full representation through trial, drafting pleadings and judgments, settlement negotiations, and appearances before judges in multiple Oregon counties.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Martinez served as a judicial clerk in Lane County Circuit Court, where she worked closely with judges on legal research, orders, and trial procedures. That perspective provides valuable insight into how family law cases are evaluated from the bench. She also worked in domestic violence and civil clinics, assisting clients with safety planning, custody issues, and court filings.
A Team-Based Approach to Divorce and Family Law Representation
Together, the attorneys at Romano Law PC offer a depth of experience that spans trial litigation, negotiation, and complex legal problem-solving. The firm’s approach emphasizes preparation, transparency, and strategic decision-making tailored to each client’s circumstances. Whether a case requires courtroom advocacy or careful negotiation, the firm’s attorneys work collaboratively to protect clients’ rights and long-term interests.
Contact a Portland Divorce Lawyer
If you live in or near Portland and are considering divorce, call 503-208-5529 or send us a message to schedule a confidential consultation.
Romano Law, P.C., is conveniently located between Beaverton and Portland, and serves divorce and family law clients throughout the Portland metro area from our office at:
Romano Law, P.C.
13765 NW Cornell Rd, Suite 250
Portland, OR 97229