how to get divorced in oregon without a lawyer

by Lourdes Ryan 5 min read

To start an uncontested divorce in Oregon, you'll need to file the required paperwork in the circuit court clerk's office at your local court. 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."

What do I need to do to start a divorce?
  1. You must pay or be excused from paying the fees that are charged for filing a divorce petition. ...
  2. You must fill out and file (turn in) a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the court of the county where either you or your spouse live.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce in Oregon?

Feb 25, 2022 · 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.

What is an uncontested divorce in Oregon?

Oregon law creates a “short form” summary dissolution proceeding for people with very simple divorce cases. If you meet all the requirements for a summary dissolution, you can get the forms at the county courthouse or at the court’s website. You can probably do this type of divorce paperwork yourself, but you may want to have a lawyer look it over.

Can a co-petitioner file for divorce in Oregon?

You can get an uncontested divorce in the Beaver State without a trial and with no need for a lawyer. 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.

How do I get a legal separation in Oregon?

Jun 28, 2019 · How to get a divorce in Oregon: Tips from the divorce experts Getting a legal breakup in Oregon is usually an incredibly long and complicated process. What should you know to get a divorce within the shortest terms? How to get divorce papers in Oregon? Are there any online solutions that are able to help […]

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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 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 long does it take to get an uncontested divorce in Oregon?

Will it take me long to get a divorce? 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.

Can you serve your own divorce papers in Oregon?

You Cannot Serve Your Spouse Yourself Oregon law does not allow for a person to serve their spouse by themself. In fact, anyone who is named in the divorce paperwork cannot serve the opposite party. So in order to serve your spouse divorce paperwork, you must go through an approved method of service.May 3, 2021

Can I divorce someone without their consent?

Applying for a divorce can be a difficult decision to make, especially if you're not sure your partner will sign your petition. Crucially though, you don't need your partner's consent to get a divorce. Although it may be a long process if your partner doesn't comply, they won't be able to stop you indefinitely.Feb 2, 2022

What is legal separation in Oregon?

Legal separation in Oregon establishes a binding agreement between married people regarding custody, child and spousal support, and division of property.

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.

Is Oregon a 50/50 divorce state?

Oregon is an equitable distribution state and will divide all marital assets in a fair and equitable way. This does not necessarily mean that assets will be divided equally on a 50/50 basis. Before this happens, the determination must be made as to what constitutes marital property and constitutes separate property.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Oregon?

The person who files for divorce first is called the “Petitioner.” This is because the original filing is called a “petition.” The party who responds to the petition is called the “Respondent.” There is absolutely no legal significance in who files first.

Does Oregon allow online divorce?

Online Divorce in Oregon For those seeking an inexpensive divorce in the state of Oregon, online divorce is an easy, affordable, and fast solution to prepare legal forms. Online divorce may be appropriate for couples who have an uncontested case.

Can you be served by mail in Oregon?

A filing party can sometimes serve by mail legal documents other than those that start the lawsuit. In this situation, first-class mail without a return receipt is allowed. But the mailing party must still file proof that he or she mailed the documents to the other party.

How much does a divorce in Oregon cost?

The Cost of Divorce in Oregon To be blunt, getting divorced in Oregon can be an expensive process. I would estimate that the average cost of a contested divorce in Oregon is about $10-15,000.Sep 24, 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 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”.

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 long does it take for a spouse to respond to a divorce petition?

Your spouse must file a response within 30 days of service if he/she wants to contest any of the issues mentioned in the divorce petition. Your spouse can sign the Acceptance of Service form and waive the service process, which essentially means that your spouse has received the forms.

What is the judgment for dissolution of marriage?

The judgment for the “dissolution of marriage” may be given: If either of the spouses was not capable of consenting to the marriage due to insufficient understanding or not being of legal age or making the marriage contract. If the consent of either spouse was got by fraud or force.

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 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.

What is the difference between a divorce and a legal separation?

The main difference between a legal separation and a divorce is that you are still married after a legal separation. Therefore, you may still have the right to inherit property from your spouse if you are legally separated, unless the separation judgment says otherwise. If you are divorced, you lose that right.

How much does it cost to file for divorce?

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 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.

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.

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;

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:

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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 Oregon, you can begin a divorce by obtaining forms from the court and filling them out. If all goes well, you can get divorced in as little as two months. However, if your spouse fights anything, then the divorce will take much longer. Steps.

What are the different types of divorce in Oregon?

Oregon offers two types of divorce: summary dissolution and regular dissolution. The type you choose will determine which papers you file with the court. Summary dissolution is quicker, and you can file for it if you meet the following: You haven't been married for more than 10 years.

How long does it take to get a final judgment in divorce?

If your spouse doesn't contest the divorce, you can get a final judgment in about two months. Read your instructions to see what you must submit to the court to request this final judgment. If your spouse contests anything—child custody, alimony, division of marital property—you'll need to schedule a court hearing.

What to do if my spouse doesn't accept my papers?

If your spouse won't agree to accept the papers, you'll need to have them formally served. If your spouse signs, then file the form with the court. Arrange for service.

How to get a referral for divorce?

Get a referral to a divorce lawyer by calling toll-free 800-452-7636 or completing the online form at https://www.osbar.org/public/ris/. If you hire a lawyer, they will fill out your forms, file them, and serve copies on your spouse.

What to do if you can't afford court fees?

If you can't afford the fee, ask the court clerk if you can have them waived or deferred. You'll need to fill out a form with information about your finances. If the fees are waived, you never have to pay them. However, if they are deferred, you'll pay them at a later date.

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 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.

What happens if you are not co-petitioner?

If the parties are not co-petitioners, after the petition is filed, the petitioner must arrange for the respondent to be "served" with a copy of the petition and other court papers and information. This means that the respondent is given a copy of the petition that was filed with the court and a summons.

What to do if the petitioner cannot find the respondent?

If the petitioner, or the sheriff, or process server cannot find the respondent, the petitioner may ask the court to allow the respondent to be served by publishing a notice in a newspaper or posting at the courthouse or another means of alternate service.

How long does it take for a dissolution case to go through?

If a judge has to make decisions, the case will take longer. The respondent has 30 days after being served to file a response.

What is the difference between a separation and a divorce?

The main difference between a legal separation and a divorce is that spouses are still married after a legal sparation. Like a divorce, a legal separation judgment can establish custody, parenting time, and child support. The judgment can also divide property and debts and establish spousal or partner support. The court costs, timelines, and requirements for mediation and parenting classes are generally the same as with a 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.

How long does a spouse have to respond to a divorce in Oregon?

Spouse’s Default. After a spouse files a petition for divorce in Oregon, the defendant has 30 days after being served to respond to the divorce complaint. If they do not file a response, the original petitioner can file for a default judgment and ask the judge to grant the divorce even with no response.

What is spousal maintenance in Oregon?

Spousal maintenance provides payments by one spouse to the other for financial support. It can be for a set or open-ended amount of time. Several factors influence the amount and duration of spousal maintenance in Oregon. They include: The present and future earning capacity of each spouse.

What is the first part of a divorce?

The first part satisfies the grounds for the divorce and the second part addresses the financial aspects of the divorce such as child custody, visitation, child support, alimony or other contentious issues that may have stalled or become major sticking points that are keeping the divorce from being finalized.

What do spouses have to disclose in divorce?

As part of the divorce process, each spouse must disclose their what they own and what they owe, what they make and what they spend. This is the only way to ensure that an equitable division of assets can take place.

How long does a parent have to be responsible for their child in Oregon?

This financial responsibility will continue until the child turns 18 or extend beyond that if the child remains in school or a training program.

Is a debt split 50/50?

They are split in an equitable manner, although not always on a 50/50 basis. Creditors are not bound by a divorce decree, so if a debt is assigned to only one spouse, the other person must take action to remove their name and their obligation from repayment.

Is Oregon a 50/50 state?

Oregon is an equitable distribution state and will divide all marital assets in a fair and equitable way. This does not necessarily mean that assets will be divided equally on a 50/50 basis. Before this happens, the determination must be made as to what constitutes marital property and constitutes separate property.

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