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My stepson rented my home from 1998 to 2008 and claims we had a verbal agreement that any improvements he made would go toward buying the house. I only recall agreeing not to raise the rent of $500 per month if he did improvements. He moved back in 2012, is now 11 months behind on rent, and... View More
I recently discovered my wife's occupation as a sex worker, which led to intense emotions and prompted me to send her several text messages expressing my anger and hurt. Importantly, I never threatened her with violence. Out of frustration, I also informed her mother about her occupation. The... View More
I am seeking advice on how to obtain documentation and proof from DHS and CPS in Oregon, particularly in Grants Pass, showing that they falsified legal documents related to the removal of my children. The petition submitted to the judge for their removal wasn't dated or done until two days... View More
I am seeking advice on how to secure the immediate return of my children, who were removed from my custody due to speculative reasons linked to my husband's drug relapse, about which I was unaware. At a placement hearing, the judge decided to keep my children in temporary state custody until... View More
In Oregon, my wife filed a restraining order against me, which resulted in court-ordered supervised visitation of our two children, aged 9 and 6, for four hours weekly. There is currently no child support agreement in place. My wife, who is employed full-time, now claims she needs child care for... View More
My girlfriend left me and our son, saying she needs time to heal. She hasn't discussed custody arrangements but said to take care of him. Since I work and can't watch him full-time, my son is going to Idaho with her family, including her father and sisters. How can I handle custody or... View More
I left my job six months after my divorce was finalized and initially didn't process the child support paperwork through the child support office. Years later, I requested a modification. I've not communicated with the other parent yet, but I plan to ask for forgiveness of the arrears.... View More
I am considering recording conversations with my spouse in our home for personal safety reasons. He has accused me of abuse and threatened to leave with our child. We have discussed recording conversations, and while he once agreed, he later expressed uncertainty about blanket consent. I have made... View More
My adult son is staying with his brother and sister-in-law to babysit for them while they work. A detective recently contacted his brother, informing him that they needed to move my son out because he's under investigation and cannot be around the children. However, there have been no charges... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
The detective's verbal directive without formal documentation raises significant due process concerns, as law enforcement typically cannot forcibly remove someone from a residence without proper legal authorization such as a court order, formal charges, or documented safety plan. While Child... View More
I was involved in a court case where an individual sought a stalking no-contact order against me. The judge verbally denied the order as there was no evidence, instead telling us both not to contact each other for 90 days. Recently, I obtained court documents showing a lifetime order signed against... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
To correct the discrepancy between the judge's verbal denial and the lifetime order in the court documents, you first need to obtain an accurate record of the court hearing. You should request a **certified transcript** or **FTR (For The Record) audio copy** of the hearing, as these will... View More
I live in Oregon, and my daughter, who is under 21 and a college student, requires additional support due to being autistic. According to our divorce decree, my ex-husband is obligated to pay child support as long as she is in school. Though we agreed he could pay support directly to her during... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
Your ex-husband cannot legally reduce court-ordered child support on his own, even if he is helping pay for tuition. Unless the divorce decree or a modified court order specifically states that tuition payments offset or replace child support, he is still required to pay the full amount. An... View More
I am trying to understand if a mother can withhold phone contact between father and a 5-year-old daughter if the parenting plan does not specify anything about phone contact at this age. The plan mentions that once the daughter is older and has her own communication device, parents may have... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
In your situation, the current parenting plan doesn't specify phone contact for a 5-year-old, but it does allow for reasonable communication once the child is older and has a communication device. While the mother is saying she will not allow your daughter to have a phone until she is 15, the... View More
I moved out of my ex's house a year ago, but he allowed me to store some belongings in his basement. Recently, he texted me saying I have 5 days to retrieve my items, which include significant possessions. There are no formal agreements or court orders regarding my belongings. We also have a... View More

answered on Apr 11, 2025
This kind of situation is hard, especially when shared history and a child are involved. In Oregon, there’s no specific law that sets an exact number of days for retrieving personal belongings from someone else’s home in a situation like yours. However, once someone gives you clear written... View More
I am concerned about Child Protective Services (CPS) possibly taking our newborn child away. My baby mom didn't take her psychiatric medications during her pregnancy due to advice from her doctor, who provided documentation stating that the meds posed a risk to the fetus. We have been... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
CPS can take action if they believe there’s an immediate risk to a child’s safety, but from what you’ve shared, it sounds like you’ve done everything possible to show you’re capable, willing, and prepared to care for your newborn. The fact that your baby’s mother didn’t take... View More
I am facing difficulties with my court-appointed attorney during a CPS case in Oregon, where my parental rights are at risk of being revoked in one month. I feel my attorney has not adequately represented me. Despite attending rehab, a mommy and me program, and securing safe housing, DHS denied... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
You have every right to bring your concerns about your attorney to the court, especially when your parental rights are at stake. In Oregon, if you have a court-appointed attorney and feel they aren’t representing you effectively, you can file a formal request to have them replaced. This is often... View More
I am the father of two children and have had sole custody since 2020. In August 2020, an investigation conducted by Mt. Hope Safe Center confirmed that my 3.5-year-old daughter was sexually abused by her daycare provider. The children's mother, who placed our daughter in that daycare, denies... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Oregon, the mother may not be directly held responsible for the abuse itself, but there are circumstances under which she could be held liable if it is determined she was negligent in her actions. If she placed your daughter in a daycare where she was sexually abused and failed to properly... View More
I am seeking guidance on how to file for non-responsibility concerning my husband's interstate death. We were married for 32 years but lived apart when he passed away on January 28th of this year. His roommate has denied me access to his paperwork, personal property, and vehicles. She has also... View More

answered on Feb 15, 2025
32 years is a long marraige, and I am sorry for your loss; and I know that being apart does not it easier. If you are still legally married, and you are the spouse, there is a lot you can do to move forward. In Oregon, you can file a Small Estate Affidavit and be given the necessary authority to... View More
He moved to the Philippines after a bad divorce from his 7th wife. He passed away in 2013. He never announced to anyone in the USA that he married again in the Philippines. I was contacted several months ago by Fidelity to let me know that he had a retirement that I could collect. I had everything... View More

answered on Jan 7, 2025
If your father's retirement account is not subject to the Retirement Equity Act (REA) and he named you and your brother as beneficiaries then you should be able to receive the money even if he was married at the time of his death. The only way you can find out is to fill out the Fidelity... View More
A lawyer has requested me not to talk to a specific elderly person about topics that *may* upset the person under threat of getting the court to disallow communication. Those are the primary topics that said person likes to discuss. They aren't illegal topics. Just sharing opinions.... View More

answered on Dec 11, 2024
In Oregon, when a Guardian has been appointed for an incapacitated adult (protected person) the Guardian may limit association between the protected person and another person "To the extent the guardian determines necessary to avoid unreasonable harm to the protected person’s health, safety... View More
is this legal they also took my phone my mom gave me and still pays for but I searched up that its still illegal to do so is this also correct?

answered on Oct 29, 2024
Turning 18 grants you legal adulthood, meaning you have the right to choose where you live. Your father cannot force you to stay with him against your will. If you prefer to live with your mother, you have the autonomy to make that decision independently.
Taking your phone without your... View More
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