how to divorce easily in oregon without a lawyer

by Brisa Kautzer 3 min read

  • Visit Oregon Judicial Department’s Family Law page. There you will find information and forms which you can fill out and file with the Court.
  • Get organized. Literally. Print all the forms you’re going to need. Place them in a folder large-enough to accommodate more paperwork as the case progresses. ...
  • Create a list of all personal property (assets) and detail the approximate values, and who each item will be assigned to.
  • Create a list of debts. Loans, credit card debts, etc. If you don’t know all of your debts, run a credit report and have your spouse do the same.
  • If you have children, read various standard/basic parenting plans in order to get an idea as to issues that typically come up in parenting time (e.g. ...
  • Decide whether or not you need spousal support. Decide whether or not your willing to pay spousal support.
  • Put together and ideal outcome for the case and then decide what items might be negotiable.
  • Attempt mediation either informally or with the help of a professional mediator.
  • Carefully draft a Stipulated General Judgment detailing all relevant issues in the case to be decided at the time the divorce is finalized.
  • Have both parties to the divorce sign the judgment, then submit it to the judge for signature.

Full Answer

Can I file for divorce in Oregon If I live there?

You can file for divorce in Oregon if: Your spouse and you were married in Oregon, so long as either of you is a resident of Oregon when the divorce case began. It does not matter how long you’ve lived in Oregon, as long as it is currently your place of residence.

What is an uncontested divorce in Oregon?

An uncontested divorce is called a “Short Form Dissolution” or a “Summary Dissolution” in Oregon. To file for this short form of divorce your spouse and you must fulfill certain criteria and this type of divorce allows you to end your marriage without going to court at all.

Who can file for dissolution of marriage in Oregon?

If the marriage was solemnized (made official) in Oregon, one of the spouses must be a resident of Oregon when the petition for dissolution is filed.

Who is the petitioner in a divorce in Oregon?

The spouse who files for the dissolution is called the petitioner, and the other spouse is the respondent. Oregon also allows spouses to file together as co-petitioners. Oregon is a pure "no-fault" divorce state, which means it does not permit spouses to allege any wrongdoing as the reason for the divorce.

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Can you get a divorce without a lawyer in Oregon?

The summary dissolution forms and other self-help forms are intended to help get you a divorce without an attorney. But you have the right to be represented or helped by an attorney if you can obtain one. It may be helpful to see an attorney before you file the forms, to make sure you have filled them out correctly.

How much does a simple divorce cost in Oregon?

The filing fee for each party in a divorce is $287, as of September 2019. The cost to serve your spouse usually starts at $40 and increases depending on the company you use and how difficult it is for them to find your spouse. There may be other filing fees depending on your specific circumstances.

How much does it cost for an uncontested divorce in Oregon?

On average, it costs between $11,000-15,000, but a lot of factors go into that number, and it may be drastically less depending on your specific situation. Many of the expenses of dissolving your marriage are readily apparent. For example, hiring a lawyer is going to incur fees.

How long does a uncontested divorce take in Oregon?

about three monthsAn uncontested divorce (where you and your spouse agree about the terms of the divorce) can be final about three months after the divorce petition is filed and delivered to your spouse. You may be able to reduce this time if the judge thinks you have a very good reason.

Can I divorce without going to court?

An uncontested divorce is one in which you and your spouse work together to agree on the terms of your divorce. You will both consult with the same attorney, who will be unbiased and impartial. There is no formal trial, and only the plaintiff appears in court.

Can you get a divorce online in Oregon?

Online Divorce Without a Lawyer in Oregon You will receive the completed divorce paperwork kit online within a couple of days. Just print them, sign them, and you can immediately file them with the court.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Oregon?

​It does not generally matter who is the first to file dissolution papers. The court does not give any preference to the first person to file (the petitioner), or any disadvantage to the person who is the respondent. The filing fees are the same for both the petitioner and the respondent.

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing the papers?

Overview: It is not necessary that both the spouses have to agree to file for a divorce. One of them may file for a divorce without the others' consent if they are sure that they have strong grounds for breakdown of the marriage.

How do you get legally separated in Oregon?

In order to have a legally-enforceable separation in Oregon, a petition must be filed with the local county court. A judgment must then be entered. The judgment of separation leaves an otherwise valid marriage in-tact, but allows the parties to live apart.

Can I do my own divorce in Oregon?

You can file on your own, or (because you and your spouse agree on all the issues in your divorce) you can file with your spouse as "co-petitioners." However, if you choose to file as co-petitioners, the Oregon courts recommend contacting a lawyer.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce is automatic?

Most state courts will automatically enter a divorce decree if the parties have been legally separated for a period of time, often one to two years, and meet the basic eligibility requirements.

How fast can I get divorce in Oregon?

Divorce in Oregon can take on average between 6 and 12 months from the date your divorce case is filed until your divorce is final. There is no waiting period in Oregon, so your divorce can even be completed within a few weeks if both parties agree on the terms and a Judge signs off on your petition.

What is divorce in Oregon?

Divorce is a permanent and legal end to a marriage. In Oregon, it is known as a dissolution of marriage. All ties are severed, assets are divided, custody and alimony issues are resolved, and each spouse goes their separate way after a final decree is issued.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Oregon?

To file for a divorce in Oregon, a petitioner will need to pay a filing fee of $273 and an additional fee to have documents served on a spouse. This may run anywhere from $30 to $75, depending on what source you use. When a defendant responds, they will also need to pay a $273 filing fee as well.

How to get proof of service in Oregon?

The easiest way to complete proof of service in Oregon is to have your spouse sign paperwork that he or she has been served. If they will not agree to do this, then your attorney will make arrangements for proof of service to be completed.

How long does a spouse have to live in Oregon to get divorce?

If the marriage didn’t take place in Oregon, to start divorce proceedings either spouse must reside in the state continuously for the six-month period before the divorce is filed.

How long does a divorce certificate last in Oregon?

Access to divorce certificates in Oregon is restricted by state Administrative Rules for 50 years following the date of divorce.

How long does it take to get divorced from spouse?

It both spouses file a co-petition for divorce, it usually takes about two weeks or less for a judge to sign off on the divorce. If a single spouse petition is filed, it takes about 5-6 weeks from the filing because a respondent has 30 days to file a response to the initial complaint.

What is the most important decision you make in divorce?

Aside from the decision to get a divorce, the single most important decision you will make is the type of divorce. You see, there are only two ways that you reach a final resolution: You and your spouse agree. A judge decides. That’s it. The type of divorce sets the frameworks for how you get to a final resolution.

A Guide to Filing for Divorce in Oregon

To give you the best chance at a fair outcome for your divorce, you need to understand the rules and processes that will govern your case in Oregon. Many of these are common to all cases and knowing what they are will give you a higher degree of confidence as you work through each of the issues.

Gather important information

You can set the tone for how your divorce will proceed from the outset if you approach the task of gathering information the right way. Doing so can save you time, money and stress in the long haul.

Decide how you will proceed with your divorce

Once you have made the decision to divorce, you need to decide the framework for your divorce. You have several options, driven in part by your relationship with your spouse and how well you can agree to work together to achieve a mutual goal.

Fill Out the Required Oregon Divorce Forms

You might be able to file for a summary dissolution, which is the easiest of all types of filings, as long as you meet all the criteria, including:

File Your Divorce Forms with the Court

After you have completed your paperwork, it must be filed with the county court of the county where either you or the defendant lives. If your spouse lives out of state or is in the military, check with the court personnel to see what special rules apply.

Serving Your Spouse With Divorce Papers

It’s possible to complete proof of service in Oregon by having your spouse sign paperwork to confirm he or she has been served.

Frequently Asked Questions About Filing for Divorce in Oregon

To file for a divorce in Oregon, a petitioner must pay a $273 filing fee. There will also be an additional fee if you use a sheriff or a process server to complete proof of service. This may run $25 to $75. This amount will vary depending on which method you choose.

How long does it take to get a divorce judgment?

If your spouse does not file papers to contest the divorce by thirty days after service, you will be able to get a final divorce judgment in approximately two months.

What does a divorce petition tell you?

The petition tells the court and your spouse what you are asking for in the divorce. 3) You must have the petition served on (officially delivered to) your spouse. This lets your spouse know that a divorce action has been started and what you are asking for.

How much does it cost to file a petition in the courthouse?

When you file the petition with the court clerk, you will be charged a filing fee of approximately $400. Each county charges its own fees based on services offered there; call the Circuit Court Clerk's office at your local courthouse to find out the cost and fees in your county.

How to get your court fees waived?

To get your fees waived or deferred, you must fill out a form called an "Application for Waiver or Deferral of Fees" that gives the court information about your income. The form and instructions can be found on the OJD Family Law website *.

Do it yourself divorce forms?

If you are using "do-it-yourself" forms, the class you go to or the instructions you receive will give you information about the kinds of things you can ask for in a divorce. After the petition is written, it is filed (turned in) at the courthouse. Other legal paperwork is required, too.

Can you get divorced without an attorney?

The summary dissolution forms and other self-help forms are intended to help get you a divorce without an attorney. But you have the right to be represented or helped by an attorney if you can obtain one. It may be helpful to see an attorney before you file the forms, to make sure you have filled them out correctly.

Uncontested Divorce in Oregon

An uncontested divorce in Oregon is known as a summary dissolution and is only available if you and your spouse fulfill the following criteria:

Filing for Divorce in Oregon

If you fall outside any of these stipulations, you will have to go through court hearings to get a divorce in Oregon, but this does not mean that you will have a legal battle on your hands.

Where Can You Get Your Divorce Settlement Agreement?

Divorce settlement agreements are available from the following sources:

DoNotPay Can Draft Your Settlement Agreement in a Flash!

DoNotPay is here to make your divorce as easy and painless as possible and to give you the best way to reach an out-of-court settlement with your spouse.

How Else Can DoNotPay Help?

If you are looking for county-specific help in Oregon, we can give you information on divorce in:

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How long does it take to get divorced in Oregon?

In the state of Oregon, it usually takes from two to six weeks for a divorce to be finalized after the court accepts the forms. Start Now.

Does Oregon have a divorce court?

The Oregon Judicial Department recognizes all the divorce forms we produce. This means that you can be sure that the court will approve your forms, and you won't have to waste time making edits and changes. All of the above makes Online Divorce Oregon the best way to save your time and effort while going through an uncontested divorce.

Forms for Dissolution (Divorce) and Dissolution of Registered Domestic Partnership

Print the packet (first in the list) or print each form in the packet individually.

Translated Forms

NOTE: Forms must be translated into English before filing with the court.

What is a divorce in Oregon?

In Oregon, a divorce is called a "dissolution of marriage." The spouse who files for the dissolution is called the petitioner, and the other spouse is the respondent. Oregon also allows spouses to file together as co-petitioners.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Oregon?

Filing Fees for Uncontested Divorce. It costs $301 to file a dissolution of marriage in Oregon. Filing fees do change, though, so you'll want to confirm the fee with the clerk of the court where you'll be filing your petition. Most of the time, you pay the filing fee at the same time you file the petition.

What is summary divorce?

A summary dissolution is an uncontested divorce which allows couples to end their marriage without ever appearing in court. Summary dissolution is a streamlined option, but is available only to couples who satisfy the following requirements:

How long do you have to live in Oregon to file for dissolution?

If the marriage was solemnized outside of Oregon, at least one of the spouses must be a resident of Oregon when the petition for dissolution is filed, and have lived in the state continuously for a period of six months before the filing. (Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 107.075 (2021).)

What is included in a divorce judgment?

The judgment will include all of the judge's rulings (which, in an uncontested divorce, will often mirror your agreements with your spouse). Once the dissolution judgment is signed, be sure to request a copy for your records. Talk to a Lawyer.

Can you file for a summary divorce?

Many couples who want to file an uncontested divorce do not qualify for a summary dissolution. However, they can still file for a "Dissolution of Marriage" as co-petitioners. As with summary dissolution, the parties have the option to mail their dissolution documents to the court. However, they must attend a court hearing in person.

Can you file a summary dissolution in person?

In addition to meeting the requirements above, couples hoping to file a summary dissolution must agree on all divorce-related matters, including division of property and debt. Couples can either file their forms in person or mail them to the court.

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