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Divorce can flip your financial life overnight, especially if you were not the person paying the bills, tracking accounts, or managing investments. We sit down with Ryan Finley, CPA and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, to map out what a real “ground zero” financial reset looks like and how to replace panic with a clear plan you can actually follow.

We start with the basics that make everything else possible: gathering documents, building a marital balance sheet, and translating tax returns and pay stubs into a simple picture of income. Then we get practical about divorce budgeting by categorizing 12 to 24 months of bank and credit card activity so your monthly spending is based on facts, not memory. From there, we walk through the tough decisions that hit fast, like whether keeping the house helps your kids or quietly harms your future cash flow, and how child support or spousal support may fit into the math.

Ryan also explains why equal looking assets can be wildly unequal after taxes, especially when dividing retirement accounts and investments with different cost basis and capital gains exposure. We dig into advanced issues that often show up in negotiations, including vesting bonus plans, forensic accounting, and tracing dissipation. The through line stays the same: build a plan that helps you feel steady now and capable later.

If you want more clarity during divorce, subscribe for more family law and financial strategy conversations, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the help.

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

To learn more about how Ryan can help you or to learn more about Freedom Financial Services Group, you can view his website at: https://www.freedomfsg.com/ 

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Money problems in divorce are rarely about “one weird transaction.” They’re about complexity: multiple accounts, transfers that look harmless until you see the full trail, business income that blends into personal spending, and documents that do not tell the whole story. We bring in CPA, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and mediator Ryan Finley to show what forensic accounting really looks like when a case needs facts, not guesses.

We talk through how litigation support helps attorneys and clients during discovery, including how a forensic accountant organizes financial disclosures, builds a marital balance sheet, and translates confusing items like investments or bonus plans into plain English. Ryan also explains the core workflow of following the money across bank statements, credit cards, and investment accounts, then isolating the transactions that do not reconcile so the right questions get asked fast.

From there, we get into the moments that change outcomes: hidden accounts created during advisor changes, tax return red flags like strategic overpayment, and dissipation claims when marital funds support a girlfriend, boyfriend, trips, or gifts. We also cover why self-employed income and business valuation can be the hardest issues in divorce, plus what to watch for with real estate partnerships, missing parcels, and paperwork that looks “off.” We even touch on practical settlement strategy, like when keeping a low-rate mortgage might actually improve post-divorce cash flow.

If you want clearer numbers, smarter questions, and fewer surprises, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find trustworthy guidance.

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

To learn more about how Ryan can help you or to learn more about Freedom Financial Services Group, you can view his website at: https://www.freedomfsg.com/ 

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Spousal support in Oregon sounds simple until you’re the one trying to predict what a judge will do and what a “fair” monthly number really means. We sit down with Pacific Cascade Legal's Founding Attorney, Lewis Landerholm, to clear up the confusion by breaking spousal support into the three categories Oregon courts actually use: maintenance support, transitional support, and compensatory support. Along the way, we explain why compensatory support is rare, why transitional support is often paired with maintenance, and how the facts of your marriage shape both the amount and the duration.

We also get practical about timing and real-life pressure points. We talk about temporary spousal support during the divorce process, what “indefinite” support usually means (and why it does not automatically mean forever), and how retirement can trigger a reanalysis. Since Oregon doesn’t use a spousal support calculator, we dig into the judge’s discretion, how income disparities are evaluated, and why “income” can mean potential income if someone is underemployed. For complex cases, we touch on vocational and occupational experts who can help estimate earning capacity after years out of the workforce.

To round it out, we cover the post-2019 tax treatment of spousal support, how spousal support interacts with Oregon child support calculations, and negotiation strategies like a lump-sum buyout or trading support for assets. If you’re facing a divorce, considering a settlement, or worried you’re leaving money on the table, this conversation gives you a clearer map of the spousal support landscape. Subscribe, share with someone who needs this, and leave a review, then tell us: would you prefer a monthly payment or a clean buyout?

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Divorce decisions are rarely made in a calm, rational bubble. When fear hits, money can turn into leverage, conflict can become a reflex, and old power dynamics can keep running the show even after you decide the marriage is over. We sit down with negotiation professor and mediation coach Merideth Thompson, Ph.D. to unpack the real drivers behind “bad deals” in divorce and how to protect yourself before the process protects you.

We dig into how finances get weaponized through control, hidden information, and pressure tactics, and why that uncertainty makes people more likely to settle out of panic. We also talk about the “conflict lens” and how constant fighting doesn’t just raise attorney fees, it drains assets, delays closure, and creates instability that kids feel first. Meredith brings negotiation and relationship science into plain language, helping us shift from rigid demands to underlying interests like security, workable co-parenting, and a future you can actually live with.

Then we get practical about divorce mediation and negotiation preparation: writing down goals, naming non-negotiables, and rank-ordering priorities so you know where to fight hard and where to trade. Meredith explains the research behind aspiration points and why your target matters, plus the role of creativity under high stakes, including a memorable “peace and freedom account” strategy that reduces emotional friction while you rebuild your life.

If you found this helpful, subscribe to Modern Family Matters, share this with someone navigating divorce or separation, and leave a review so more families can find real guidance. What part of divorce decision-making feels hardest to you right now?

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

To learn more about how Merideth can help you, you can view her website at: https://merideththompson.com/

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Not every marriage ends in a divorce—and not every separation means the same thing.

This episode of Modern Family Matters explores the significant differences between annulments, divorces, and legal separations—three distinct ways marriages can be dissolved. 

Host Steve Altishin and Founding Attorney Lewis Landerholm explain that annulments are increasingly rare in modern law because they require proving specific grounds (such as fraud, bigamy, or incest), whereas no-fault divorces are available in all states without proving wrongdoing. 

While annulments theoretically erase a marriage as if it never happened, the practical and financial burden of proving grounds makes them impractical for most people. The discussion clarifies that children's legal status, custody, and support remain unaffected regardless of which dissolution method is chosen, and that legal separations maintain marital status while dividing assets—a distinction that can create complications if parties later reconcile or decide to divorce.

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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One of the biggest surprises in divorce?

The law often assumes equal contribution, even when one spouse earned the paycheck and the other carried the invisible labor.

This episode of Modern Family Matters explores the critical distinctions between marital and separate property in divorce proceedings, with particular emphasis on how these principles apply to business assets. 

Host Steve Altishin and Founding Attorney Lewis Landerholm explain that Oregon courts have jurisdiction over all property, but the presumption of equal (50-50) contribution applies specifically to marital assets—property that came into existence during the marriage, regardless of whose name appears on the title. 

The discussion emphasizes that while courts can divide any property, the burden of proof shifts dramatically depending on whether an asset is presumed marital or separate. When businesses are involved, complexity multiplies exponentially due to valuation challenges, emotional attachments, overlapping areas of law (trademark, copyright, regulatory compliance), and potential post-divorce complications. 

Let’s talk about separate vs. marital property, where this presumption comes from, and how it protects both spouses.

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Just like baseball, divorce has curveballs, foul balls, and unexpected plays. We sit down with Founding Attorney, Lewis Landerholm, to discuss the parallels between baseball and divorce, centering on the importance of keeping your eyes on the ball throughout the divorce process. They explore how setting clear priorities and goals from the outset helps clients navigate the often lengthy and emotionally taxing divorce journey. The conversation covers common pitfalls such as emotional fatigue, the temptation to fight over assets like the family home, and the risks of losing focus during discovery and negotiation. Louis emphasizes the attorney's coaching role in helping clients stay grounded and make decisions aligned with their long-term best interests, rather than reacting emotionally in the moment.

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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⚾️ “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” — Yogi Berra

In baseball, you don’t know the game is done until the last out is made. And in divorce? The same is often true.

In this interview with Founding Attorney, Lewis Landerholm, we break down why divorce isn’t always “over” when you think it is, what typically happens next, and how to avoid surprises during the final stretch.

Lewis and Steve discuss the various stages of divorce proceedings, from reaching agreements to judge rulings, and explain why the process continues well after a judgment is signed. The conversation covers the complexities of drafting final judgments, post-divorce obligations, and the potential need for enforcement or modification actions. They also highlight the importance of having ongoing support for clients navigating the numerous administrative and practical tasks that follow a divorce decree. 

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Join us as we sit down with Enrolled Agent, and Founder of Golden Lion Tax Solutions, Morgan Q. Anderson, to discuss the immense financial benefits of taking the time to understand the relationship between taxes and family law matters.

The conversation covers joint tax liability, innocent spouse claims, strategic asset liquidation, capital gains considerations, and the importance of assembling a team of trusted professionals (attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors) to navigate these complex situations. The overarching theme is that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" when it comes to managing tax consequences during divorce proceedings.

As a leading divorce firm in Portland, our attorneys provide guidance on custody, alimony, separation, estate planning, and more. Learn what to expect in Oregon and Washington divorce cases and how we can help.

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

To learn more about Morgan and how she can help you with your tax questions, you can visit her website at: https://www.goldenliontaxsolutions.com/

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Join us as we sit down with Marriage & Family Therapist, Laurel van der Toorn, to discuss what you can do when a pending or active divorce starts to drudge up suppressed trauma for the high achiever. 

Laurel explains how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy works to help people process traumatic memories and heal attachment wounds. The conversation explores why high achievers often struggle during divorce, how childhood attachment styles affect adult relationships, and the importance of addressing trauma early. Laurel provides insights into the window of tolerance, the grieving process, and how effective trauma therapy can create permanent, positive change. 

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

To learn more about how Laurel can help you, you can view her website at: https://www.laureltherapy.net/

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.