Practice Areas

Child Custody

Brendan Enright - Aurora Law Office - Child Custody - Guardianships

At the Aurora Law Office, we take issues involving children very much to heart. No matter who the client is or what the problem, child custody lawyer Brendan Enright assures people, "I will protect your child's best interests every step of the way."

In divorce cases, there are a number of issues to be resolved concerning children:

• Child custody
• Child support
• Parenting plans (visitation)
• Medical insurance

We handle every issue with the care and consideration it deserves. We work quickly to get uncertainties resolved as soon as possible.

When negotiating child custody and child support agreements, we seek to achieve agreements that place children in the most appropriate home, while never sacrificing the important relationship between the child and the parent not living at home. A realistic and mutually agreed upon custody and support plan allows your family to continue to function in an amicable and productive manner. Our agreements address concerns of every member of the family. Negotiations surrounding custody and support should not have winners and losers. Everyone should leave the table feeling that their interests were included.

We also work with extended family members to establish guardianships. Establishing a legal guardianship can be a positive turning point in a child's life. If you want to discuss a child guardianship issue with Oregon divorce attorney Enright, please contact us. We will evaluate the situation and recommend the actions you need to take to ensure the child's care. Often guardianship is needed for medical and school reasons. We can help.

You can afford a lawyer.

At the Aurora Law Office, we are aware that many people feel they need a child custody lawyer, but they are not sure they can afford a lawyer. At attorney Brendan Enright's Aurora Law Office, we offer:

• Free initial consultations
• Payment plans for ALL flat fee and hourly cases  
• Flat fees available for bankruptcies and uncontested divorces

Our office is small enough to provide you with the individual care and attention you need and deserve, and experienced enough to vigorously pursue your rights. Contact us at the Aurora Law Office for friendly, experienced legal advice and counsel. Evening appointments are available. Major credit cards accepted.

SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS DURING SEPARATION OR DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS

No matter how well parents thing their children are adjusting to a divorce, it is traumatic for them. They feel the same strained emotions, uncertainties, and tension as you do but have the added factor of being torn between two loving parents. How a child reacts during this stressful time could have a significant impact on the remainder of his or her life, whether the child is now two years old or eighteen years old.

The following suggestions are made to help you and your children cope with the stress of divorce.

1. Think first of your children's present and future emotional and mental well-being before acting. This will be difficult because of your own feelings, needs, and emotions, but try, try, try.
2. Maintain your own composure and good emotional balance as much as possible. Remember it is not the end of the world. Laugh when you can and try to keep a sense of humor. What your children see in your attitude is to some measure reflected in theirs.
3. Allow your self and your children time for readjustment. Convalescence from an emotional operation, such as a divorce, is essential.
4. Remember the best parts of your marriage. Share them with your children and use them constructively.
5. Assure your children that they are not to blame for the breakup and that they are not being rejected or abandoned. Children, especially the young ones, often mistakenly feel they have done something wrong and believe the problems in the family are the result of their own misdeeds. Small children may feel that some action or secret wish of theirs has caused the trouble between their parents. Explain to them there are other children whose parents have been divorced and that they are not going to lose their own mom or dad.
6. Continuing anger or bitterness toward your spouse can injure your children far more than the divorce itself. The feelings you show are more important than the words you use. Refrain from voicing criticism of the other parent. It is difficult but absolutely necessary. For the child's healthy development, it is important for him or her to respect both parents.
7. Do not force or encourage you children to take sides. To do so encourages frustration, guilt, and resentment.
8. Try not to upset the children's routine too abruptly. Children need a sense of continuity. It is disturbing to them if they must cope with too many changes all at once.
9. A divorce often leads to financial pressures on both parents. When there is a financial crisis, the parents' first impulse may be to keep the children from realizing it. Often, they would rather make sacrifices themselves than ask the child to do so. The atmosphere is healthier when there is frankness and when children are expected to help.
10. Divorces are as hard on the children as their parents. The children may not always show their distress or realize at first what this will mean to them. Parents should be direct and simple in telling children what is happening and why, and in a way a child can understand and digest. This will vary with the circumstances and with each child's age and comprehension. The worst course is to try to hush things up and make a child feel she or he must not talk or even think about what she or he sees is going on. Unpleasant happenings need explanation, which should be brief, prompt, direct, and honest.
11. The guilt parents may feel about the marriage breakdown may interfere in their disciplining the children. A child needs consistent control and direction. Over-permissiveness or indecisive parents, who leave a child at the mercy of every passing whim and impulse, interfere with a child's healthy development. Children need and want to know quite clearly what is expected of them. Children need leadership and sometimes authority. Parents must be ready to say "no" when necessary.
12. Do not overlook the fact that you are only human and admit it. You will not be able to make a 100-percent score on being a perfect parent (no one ever does, even in good times). When you fail in your attempts, acknowledge it and resolve to attempt to improve day by day.
13. Read and reread these basic guidelines. Add to them by writing down your own constructive, positive approaches to the handling of your new way of living. Discuss your thoughts and feelings with others you trust and feel comfortable with and benefit by sharing their positive attitudes.

* Aurora, Oregon child custody lawyer, Brendan Enright, represents clients in Aurora, Canby, Woodburn, Molalla, Salem, Hubbard, Aurora, Wilsonville, Oregon City, and other area towns.