how to file for divorce in oregon without a lawyer

by Margret Huel 8 min read

How can I get a simple divorce in Oregon?

Requirements for an Uncontested Divorce in Oregonone or both spouses have lived in Oregon for the past six months.have been married 10 years or less.do not have minor children together, either biological or adopted.do not have children together who are 18 or older and under 21 and currently attending school.More items...

How much does a divorce in Oregon cost?

How much does a divorce cost? 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.

How long does uncontested divorce take Oregon?

An 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.

How quickly can you 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.

How do I start the divorce process?

To start the divorce you will need to the following: File a document, called a Petition, to the Court to initiate the divorce process. Only one spouse can file for a divorce (the Petitioner). The other party is known as the Respondent. ... Apply for a Decree Nisi. Apply for a Decree Absolute.

Does Oregon require separation before divorce?

Before you can seek a divorce in Oregon, one spouse must have lived continuously in the state for at least six months prior to filing a divorce petition. Legal separations only require that a spouse be currently living in the state. Financially, separations may make more sense than rushing into a divorce.

How long after divorce can you remarry in Oregon?

Under the 1965 amendments to the Oregon Divorce Law, the 6-month period during which the parties are prohibited from remarrying following a divorce granted before 8/3/65, is reduced to 60 days.Aug 29, 2008

Can you get a divorce without a lawyer?

Yes, it is possible to file your own divorce and complete the process without the aid of an attorney.

Is adultery illegal in Oregon?

As Oregon is a no-fault divorce state, adultery generally has no bearing on whether or not you will be granted a divorce. Unless it directly relates to a decision the court has to rule on, you may not even be allowed to testify about any wrongdoings on the part of your spouse.Jan 30, 2020

Can You Do Your 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.

Is Oregon a mom State?

Oregon Custody Law Does Not Favor Either Parent Fathers' rights in Oregon are viewed as equal to mothers' rights. Instead, according to Oregon custody law, courts largely base their decisions on what is in the best interests of the child.

How much does a divorce cost?

The median cost of a divorce is $7,500. An uncontested divorce or one with no major contested issues costs, on average, $4,100. Disputes over child support, child custody, and alimony raise the average cost of a divorce significantly. Divorces that go to trial on two or more issues cost, on average, $23,300.Nov 16, 2020

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.

How long do you have to live in Oregon to get divorce?

Your spouse and you were married outside of Oregon, then one spouse at least should have lived in Oregon for a minimum of 6 months before you can file for divorce. The spouse filing for divorce should also file with the court a residency certificate stating that at least one of the spouses lives in the filing county currently.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Oregon?

Other Costs: If you plan to employ a divorce lawyer, then your divorce could cost between $4,000 and $28,000 and the average lawyer is around $10,000. In Oregon, both spouses can file for divorce together as “co-petitioners”.

Is a pension considered property in Oregon?

Any pension or retirement plan or interest from these are considered as property in Oregon. The contribution made by the spouse who is a homemaker as contribution to the procuring of marital assets. When you file for divorce, the rights of your spouse and you in the marital assets is considered as a type of co-ownership and the jointly-owned property will be divided.

How many types of dissolution are there in Oregon?

Oregon law offers 2 kinds of dissolution (Summary Dissolution and Dissolution of Marriage) and the kind of dissolution you select depends on the issues and the complexity related to your case.

What to do if you don't have children?

If you do not qualify for a summary divorce, then you need to file for a complete “dissolution of marriage.” If you don’t have children with your spouse, then you must file the following documents:

How long do you have to be married to get summary dissolution?

To qualify for a summary dissolution, you must fulfill the following criteria: You should have been married for 10 years or lesser than 10 years. Your spouse and you should not have any minor children or adult children studying in high school. Your spouse and you do not own any property such as land, buildings, etc.

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?

A divorce legally ends a marriage or a Registered Domestic Partnership (RDP). In Oregon divorce is called "dissolution of marriage. ". A dissolution of marriage or a RDP is started when one spouse or partner files a petition for dissolution. The spouse or partner who files the petition is called the petitioner.

What is the phone number for Oregon State Bar?

The number to call is (503) 684-3763 from the Portland area, or (800) 452-7636 from elsewhere in Oregon.

What is a RDP?

A judgment of dissolution of marriage or RDP, signed by a judge, is the final document that ends a marriage or partnership. It is effective immediately. The judgment will include all of the judge's rulings and may state: How the court costs and fees will be divided.

How is spousal support determined?

How is spousal/partner support determined? Whether or not spousal/partner support is appropriate in your case is determined by a number of factors that the court takes into consideration, such as length of marriage or partnership, income of the parties, health of the parties, age, lifestyle etc.

Is a marriage annulled void?

A marriage that has been annulled for one of these reasons is void as of the time the judgment is signed. In a few cases, such as when a party to a marriage was married to someone else at the time of the marriage, the marriage is treated as if it never happened. For more information, visit OregonLawHelp.org.

What happens if a respondent does not file a response?

If the respondent does not file a response, the petitioner may be granted everything he or she asked for in the petition. If the respondent files a response the court may set the case for trial, mediation, or a settlement conference. This can depend on the court's procedures.

Can a spouse end a marriage?

Either spouse or domestic partner can decide to end the marriage or partnership. It is not necessary for the other spouse or partner to agree or “give you” a dissolution. The spouse or partner who does not want to get a dissolution cannot stop the process by refusing to participate in the case.

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.

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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 divorce in Oregon?

It is possible for you to obtain a legal separation in Oregon prior to obtaining six months residency and then convert that to a divorce once you have lived in Oregon for at least six months.

What happens if you can't agree on divorce?

If you and your spouse cannot agree and one of you will challenge the divorce issues in court, a judge will have to make a decision about the issues.

How to contact Oregon State Bar?

The number to call is (503) 684-3763 from the Portland area, or (800) 452-7636 from elsewhere in Oregon.

What is divorce judgment?

A divorce, also called a “dissolution of marriage” by the courts, is a way of legally ending a marriage. A divorce judgment will decide: The date your marriage ends; Who gets custody of your children and when you and the other parent see them; Who pays child support and how much;

How long does it take to respond to a divorce petition?

If you want to challenge the terms listed in the petition, you must file a written answer —called a “response” — with the court within 30 days after you were handed the papers.

Do it yourself divorce papers?

If a lawyer is handling your divorce, he or she will have the divorce papers served on your spouse. If you are using “do-it-your self” forms, the instructions will tell you what you need to do. Your spouse can agree to sign papers that say he or she has been served .

What is a petition for divorce?

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

How to file for divorce without an attorney?

To file for divorce without an attorney, talk it through with your spouse beforehand, if you can, to divide up assets and debts and discuss custody of children, if you have any. Go online or visit your county clerk's office to get the forms you'll need, like the petition for divorce and summons.

What to do if you cannot agree on a divorce?

If you cannot agree, you are likely to need the assistance of an attorney to protect your interests. Decide if a pro se divorce is appropriate for your situation. While some situations are easily handled on a pro se basis, others are far too complex to be handled pro se.

How much does it cost to file for divorce?

In most jurisdictions, the filing fee ranges from $100.00 to $300.00. If you cannot afford to pay the court’s filing fee, you may be able to ask the court to waive the normal filing fee.

Where to file divorce petition?

File the necessary forms with the clerk’s office. This is the first step to formally placing your divorce petition on file with the court. The clerk’s office will require you to file a certain number of copies of the documents, along with the original documents.

What is a provisional hearing?

For instance, you may have a provisional or preliminary hearing, which deals with temporary orders, usually dealing with children and possession of the marital residence and vehicles, while your divorce is going on. You may also have a final divorce hearing, at which the court is likely to grant your divorce.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced?

Many states have waiting periods before your divorce can be granted. This waiting period may be as little as 60 days or as long as six months. If you and your spouse have minor children together, your state laws or local court rules may require you both to attend a parenting class for divorced or separated parents.

Do you have children together?

You have no children together, or you and your spouse agree on all matters relating to the child (ren), including custody, visitation, and child support. You and your spouse don't have a lot of money, marital property, or shared debt to divide. Neither of you own significant stocks, bonds, or other investments.

1. Check your state's requirements for filing

Check your state laws for any requirements for filing a no-fault divorce. For example, some states require that you and your spouse are physically separated for a period of time before filing. Additionally, your state may require proof of residency before filing for divorce.

2. Complete the no-fault divorce forms

Once you meet your state's requirements for filing, you should complete the applicable no-fault divorce forms, such as the petition for divorce. Contact your local county clerk's office for copies of these forms. Also, ask your local court about the required filing fees.

3. Discover if you have a no-fault uncontested divorce

If your spouse agrees to the terms of the divorce, your case will move through the court system quickly. If you and your spouse agree on provisions like the division of property and child support, your divorce is considered uncontested. You will then enter into a settlement agreement.

4. Determine if you have a no-fault contested divorce

If you and your spouse don't agree to all or some of the terms of the divorce, then you have a no-fault contested legal action. When this happens, you'll need to agree on the disputed issues. If you can't agree, you may need to go to mediation or have a trial. In this case, you may need an attorney to help you navigate this process.

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