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Gresham Spousal Support Attorneys
Over a Decade Handling Spousal Support in Multnomah County Courts
Spousal support, also called alimony, is one of the most contested issues in an Oregon divorce. The supported spouse needs to protect their post-divorce financial security. The paying spouse faces an obligation that can last years. Oregon courts handle these decisions case by case with no fixed formula, which means the outcome depends heavily on how the case is presented.
At Hedman Family Law, L.L.C., we represent both sides. Whether you’re seeking support or negotiating what you’ll pay, our practice is devoted entirely to family law. Managing attorney Natalie Hedman brings over a decade of experience handling spousal support matters in Gresham and throughout Multnomah County.
Contact Hedman Family Law, L.L.C. to discuss your spousal support situation. Call us at (503) 506-7887 or reach out online.
Natalie Hedman’s Experience in Local Courts
Spousal support cases turn on judicial discretion. In Multnomah County Circuit Court, that discretion is broad, and knowing how local judges approach these cases is a practical advantage. Attorney Natalie Hedman has handled contested spousal support matters in this jurisdiction for over a decade. Our office understands which statutory factors carry the most weight here and how to frame both sides of the argument effectively.
Natalie received the Michael E. Haglund Award from the Multnomah Bar Association in 2012 and has been recognized among the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. She served on the Oregon State Bar Pro-Bono Committee from 2016 through 2019 and has served as a board member of the Gift of Adoption, Oregon Columbia River Chapter since 2022. Our team includes associate attorney Ritma Aftab, who also handles family law matters, including dissolutions of marriage. We represent clients in negotiation and in court, and we work to help you understand your legal options before any decision is made.
Three Types of Spousal Support Under Oregon Law
Oregon courts can award three distinct types of spousal support under ORS 107.105(1)(d). The type awarded shapes the amount, the duration, and the standard that must be met to modify the order later.
Transitional Support
Short-term support designed to help a spouse gain the education or training needed to reenter or advance in the workforce. Duration is typically tied to the time required to complete that training or education.
Compensatory Support
Awarded to reimburse a spouse who made significant financial or other contributions to the other spouse’s education, career advancement, or earning capacity during the marriage. It recognizes what one party invested in the other’s professional development.
Spousal Maintenance
Ongoing support aimed at allowing both parties to maintain a lifestyle reasonably comparable to the marital standard of living. It’s most common in long-term marriages and may be awarded for a set period or indefinitely. Courts may award more than one type of support in a single case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spousal Support in Gresham
Can Spousal Support Be Modified After the Divorce Is Finalized?
Yes. Under ORS 107.135, modification requires a substantial change in economic circumstances, such as a job loss or a serious medical issue. Courts generally also require that the change was unanticipated at the time of the original order. The standard isn’t identical across support types: compensatory support requires a higher showing to modify than transitional or maintenance support. A spousal support attorney can assess whether your changed circumstances meet the threshold.
What Happens If My Ex-Spouse Stops Paying Spousal Support?
If your former spouse stops paying court-ordered spousal support, you can take legal action to enforce the order. Available enforcement measures include wage garnishment, contempt proceedings, and other remedies through Multnomah County Circuit Court. Don’t wait: unpaid support accumulates, and the enforcement process takes time to initiate.
Does the Type of Spousal Support Affect Whether It Can Be Modified?
Yes, significantly. Transitional and maintenance support can generally be modified upon a substantial change in circumstances. Compensatory support is designed to reimburse a specific contribution made during the marriage, so courts apply a stricter standard before allowing modification: specifically, an involuntary, extraordinary, and unanticipated change that reduces the paying spouse’s earning capacity. Understanding what type of support is in your order, or what type is being sought, is an important part of any spousal support strategy.
But Your Don't Have to Do It Alone
How Oregon Courts Determine Spousal Support
Unlike child support, Oregon provides no standardized calculator for spousal support. Courts weigh a range of statutory factors under ORS 107.105 when deciding whether support is appropriate, how much to award, and for how long. We help clients understand which factors apply to their situation and how to present their case effectively.
Factors that may impact this issue are:
- The length of the marriage
- The earning capacity of the receiving spouse
- The training, education, or work history of the receiving spouse
- The paying spouse’s income and ability to pay
- The ages and health conditions of both parties
- Whether a prenuptial agreement is in force
- Whether the receiving spouse spent time out of the job market raising children and for how long
- Whether the receiving spouse contributed to the paying spouse’s earning capacity, training, or education during the marriage
Support may be awarded for the short term, long term, or indefinitely, depending on the circumstances. The marital standard of living is a factor courts consider when calibrating ongoing support.
Why Gresham Clients Choose Hedman Family Law, L.L.C.
Our practice is devoted entirely to family law, which means every client who comes to us with an alimony question works with attorneys whose entire practice centers on cases like theirs. With over a decade of experience in contested spousal support matters, we bring realistic, candid counsel to clients on both sides of the support question. We listen to what matters to you and help you avoid decisions that carry long-term financial consequences.
We represent clients in negotiation and in family law proceedings at Multnomah County Circuit Court. Whether you need a spousal support order established, contested, modified, or enforced, our attorneys can advocate for you.
Ready to talk through your situation? Call Hedman Family Law, L.L.C. at (503) 506-7887 to schedule a consultation.
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A Team Who Understands and Genuinely Wants to Help
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Experience and Passion about Protecting Your Rights
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Invested in Our Community
Whether you have questions or you’re ready to get started, our legal team is ready to help. Complete our form below or call us at (503) 506-7887.