BrightwellFamily Law

Calm, clear guidance through divorce and custody.

Brightwell is a family law practice in Ashford, Oregon. We help parents and partners make big decisions with less conflict — and stand firm in court when that’s what it takes.

Confidential first meetingEvening & video appointmentsFlat-fee options
A father carrying his two young children outside their home
“They helped us keep things kind for the kids.”Megan T., custody client

How we can help

Family law covers a lot of ground. Most families come to us for one of these — often more than one at once.

Divorce

Contested and uncontested divorce, with a plan built around what matters most to you — whether that’s a quick, quiet resolution or careful protection of what you’ve built.

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Custody & parenting time

Parenting plans that put children’s routines first, and steady representation when parents can’t agree.

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Child & spousal support

Clear explanations of how support is calculated in Oregon, and help asking the court for what’s fair.

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Mediation

A neutral, lower-conflict path where both of you shape the agreement, often at a fraction of the cost.

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Property division

Homes, retirement accounts, businesses and debt — identified, valued and divided thoughtfully.

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Modifications

Life changes. We help update custody or support orders after a move, job change or new circumstances.

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A practice built for hard seasons

We know you’re not just hiring a lawyer. You’re trusting someone with your children, your home and your future. That shapes how we work.

  • Conflict where it’s needed, not by default

    We look for agreement first and save litigation for when it truly protects you.

  • Children at the center

    Parenting plans built around school, routines and stability.

  • Honest about cost

    Flat fees where possible, and clear estimates where not.

Two women talking across a table during a consultation

What working with us looks like

From first call to final order, you’ll always know what happens next.

  1. Consultation

    We listen, answer your questions and outline realistic options.

  2. A written plan

    You get a clear strategy, timeline and fee estimate in writing.

  3. Negotiate or mediate

    Most families resolve things outside the courtroom, with our support.

  4. Finalize & move on

    We file the paperwork and make sure the order works in real life.

I came in expecting a war. Rachel helped us build a parenting plan my ex and I both actually follow. Two years on, our kids still have both of us at every soccer game.
Jordan P. · divorce and custody client
“Every bill matched the estimate. I never once felt surprised.”
Alicia M., divorce
“Owen explained child support in a way that finally made sense.”
Darnell W., support modification
“The evening video appointments meant I didn’t have to miss work.”
Sofia R., mediation

Meet your attorneys

A small team, by design. You’ll know who is handling your case.

Portrait of attorney Rachel Brightwell smiling

Rachel Brightwell

Founding attorney
Portrait of attorney Owen Castellano

Owen Castellano

Support & property
Portrait of mediator Lena Ortiz-Hale

Lena Ortiz-Hale

Mediator
Portrait of attorney Paul Whitcombe

Paul Whitcombe

Of counsel · trial

Read full attorney profiles

Book a private consultation

Choose a time that works for you. Consultations are confidential and can be held in our office or by video.

  • Meet with an attorney, not an assistant
  • Leave with a written summary of your options
  • Evening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Fee for the initial consultation is quoted up front

1. What would you like to talk about?

2. Pick a day

3. Choose a time

You’re all set.

Requested:

This is a demo, so nothing was sent. On the live site, you’d receive a confirmation email and a short intake form.

Common first questions

Not always, but a short review can catch problems with retirement accounts, taxes or parenting schedules before they’re locked into a court order.

It depends mostly on how much you and your spouse agree on. Uncontested matters can often be handled for a flat fee; we’ll give you a written estimate after your consultation.

Rarely. Most custody matters are resolved by agreement, and courts generally try to keep children out of the process.

See all resources & FAQs

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Book a confidential consultation and leave with a clear sense of your options and next steps.