Paul J. DeBast
503-433-3464
800-539-1731
Paul DeBast is one of Oregon's most experienced divorce attorneys. He prides himself on providing personalized attention and top quality representation to every client he represents. Paul is a frequent speaker on family law issues. He is a member of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a founder and member of the Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners. He has served as a pro tem judge, as a director and officer of the Oregon State Bar Family Law Section and is a past President of the Washington County Bar Association. Paul represents clients in all areas of family law including divorce, custody, support, property divisions and premarital and cohabitation agreements. His goal is to achieve success through settlement and mediation. When that is not possible, he represents his clients aggressively in litigation. Paul represents clients throughout Oregon, including Portland, Oregon City, West Linn, Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, Aloha, Tualatin, Clackamas, Wilsonville, Multnomah County, Washington County and Clackamas County.
Areas of Practice:
100% Family Law Including divorce, custody, support, property divisions, premarital agreements and cohabitation agreements
Star Search Credentials:
Oregon SuperLawyer
AVVO "Superb" rating
Martindale Hubbel "AV" rating
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Bar Admissions
- Oregon, 1972
- U.S. District Court District of Oregon, 1972
Education
- Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon
- J.D. - 1972
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- B.A. - 1969
Published Works
- Business Valuation Issues in Marital Dissolution and Other Equitable Distribution Cases, Oregon State Bar , 2012
- Domestic Relations Agreements, Oregon State Bar Fee Compendium, 2007
Classes/Seminars
- Business Valuation and Divorce, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2012
- Estate Planning and Dissolution Law - Lessons for Lawyers in Both Fields, Oregon State Bar, 2009
- Using Life Insurance to Secure Support Obligations, Oregon State Bar Conference: Crossroads of Estate Planning & Dissolution Law, 2009
- Accessing Retirement Benefits After Divorce, Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, 2008
- Bucking the Trend in Spousal Support, Lewis and Clark Law School, 2006
- Spousal Support Myths and Realities, Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, 2005
- Business Value & Divorce, An Analysis of Oregon Appellate Cases, Oregon State Bar, 2005
- Avoiding Life Insurance Malpractice in Divorce Cases, Oregon State Bar, 2004
- Avoiding Malpractice in Oregon Divorces, Clackamas County Bar Association, 2004
- What Every Good Divorce Lawyer Needs to Know About Life Insurance, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2004
- Innovative Tax Solutions for Divorce Cases, Washington County Bar Association, 2004
- Tips & Tricks to Obtain the Best Settlement, American Academy of Family Law Practitioners, 2003
- Webber vs. Olsen and the Problem with Stipulated Judgments, Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, 2000
- Retirement Accounts in Dissolution Cases, Washington County Bar Association, 1990
- Handling Retirement Benefits in Dissolution Cases, Oregon State Bar, 1985
- Legends of Family Law, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, 2013
Honors and Awards
- SuperLawyer designation since 2006
- Martindale Hubbell AV rating
- AVVO superb rating
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, Member/Co-founder
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member
- Oregon State Bar, Family Law Section, Member
- Washington County Bar Association, Member/Past President
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Member
Pro Bono Activities
- Washington County Circuit Court Pro Tem Judge, 2009 - Present
- Director, Metropolitan Public Defender's Office, 1991 - 2006
- President, Metropolitan Public Defender's Office, 2003 - 2006
- Director, Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce, 1994 - 1996
- Member, West Side Light Rail Citizen's Advisory Committee, 1990 - 1995
- Chairman, Central Beaverton Advisory Committee, 1989 - 1993
- Member, Beaverton Sister Cities Foundation, 1986 - 1992
- President, Beaverton Sister Cities Foundation, 1990
- Director of Tualatin Valley Mental Health Center, 1981 - 1989
- President, Director of Tualatin Valley Mental Health Center, 1981 - 1989
- Member, Beaverton Citizens Advisory Task Force on Public Safety Building, 1984
- City of Beaverton Charter Review Committee, 1977
- Chairman of the Board of Directors Washington County Legal Aid, 1974 - 1979
- Former Chairman, Oregon State Bar Committee on Economics of Law Practice
Fraternities/Sororities
- Delta Theta Phi
