Divorce Mediation in Southeast Portland and Northeast Portland

Last Updated: April 22, 2026

I have maintained a full-time family law mediation practice since 2005. For the past 19 years, my practice has been almost exclusively limited to Washington County and Southwest Portland. Until now, I have accepted cases from other areas only upon request and by referral.

On April 1, 2026, I expanded the geographic scope of my client base to include all of the Portland metropolitan area. My fees are the same for all areas of the metropolitan area, and they are the lowest of any law-degreed divorce mediator, according to the research of publicly available fee information posted as of April 1, 2026. (Comparison methodology is available upon request.)

Why I Broadened My Geographic Reach

To put it succinctly, the same need that existed in 2005 when I returned to Oregon after law school still persists in Southeast and Northeast Portland. To read more about what I observed at the time and what I consider still true at present, please review this article.

Understandably, most people search for professional services nearby. So do I. However, when your finances and future are at stake, the priority should be the caliber of your representation, not its proximity. While local convenience is intuitive, prioritizing the right expertise often means looking beyond the closest available option.

Choosing a mediator with a law degree, specialized financial training as a Family Law Financial Analyst, two decades of experience writing meticulously detailed parenting plans, and a teen-inclusive approach providing free services to the teen and pre-teen children of mediation clients ensures that your interests are handled with the necessary thoroughness and professional rigor.

Familiarity with Local Nuances

I have been familiar with the nuances of Portland, Multnomah County, the Multnomah County Circuit Court, and the various neighborhoods of Northeast Portland, North Portland, and Northwest Portland, and Southeast Portland throughout my 21 years of practice. For example, many of my client couples include parties who are separated and live in two different counties or plan to move from one county to another.

By and large, the divorce process is similar from county to county. The filing fee is uniform statewide; please refer to this fee schedule from the Oregon Judicial Department for the most current information. As of April 22, 2026, the filing fee for a dissolution (divorce) is $301. Typically, the filing fee stays the same for at least the remainder of the calendar year.

One particular difference among the counties is the required parenting class. Each Oregon county requires divorcing parents who have at least one minor child at the time of the dissolution to complete a specific parenting education course as a condition of finalizing the divorce.

It's important to note that you must take the one that is offered by your particular county unless the judge waives the requirement. In Multnomah County, this link explains the requirements and process. As of April 22, 2026, the fee is $70.

Distance Is Not a Barrier to High-Quality Mediation

Selecting a qualified professional who approaches divorce mediation with the complexity it deserves does not require a considerable amount of additional time. In fact, most people meet me via Zoom. If you want to meet in person, I am located in Beaverton, approximately equidistant from Beaverton City Hall and Cedar Hills Crossing. Here is the drive time to my office from various locations:

  • Downtown Portland: 22 minutes

  • Moda Center: 25 minutes

  • Mt. Tabor Park: 30 minutes

  • Sellwood Bridge: 30 minutes

Further, you will likely make very few trips if you decide to meet me in person, as the mediation process typically takes only two to three sessions. My office building offers free parking in the parking lot and on the side streets.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Please peruse the various pages of my website for more information about my services to understand how I can meet your needs. If you'd like to know more about my background and experience, it is available here.

If you wish to discuss how I can help you with your divorce, please consider scheduling a consultation with me to discuss your specific needs. I offer a brief meet-and-greet at no cost and a more extensive introduction for a significantly discounted fee.