If your marriage is ending, your co-parent is threatening to move the kids, or you're scared in your own home, Oregon's family-law system can feel like a wall of forms and deadlines. You don't have to guess. Call 1-844-690-0555, free and any hour, and talk to an AI legal assistant trained on Oregon's family code and the federal rules that touch it. It's legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship — just straight answers in plain English, in your language, with no income test and no web form.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Oregon.
Right now, do three things. First, write down dates — when you separated, any abuse, any move-out, any threat involving the children — because Oregon deadlines run from these. Second, do not sign or agree to anything (a parenting plan, a property split, a 'temporary' move) until you understand what you're giving up; Oregon judgments are hard to undo. Third, if you've been abused in the last 180 days and feel in danger, you can ask a circuit court for a FAPA restraining order for free, the same day. Then call 1-844-690-0555 to learn exactly which step is yours and how fast it has to happen.
Most parents assume joint custody is the default, the way it is in many states. In Oregon it is the opposite. Under ORS 107.169 a judge cannot order joint custody unless both parents agree to it — so if your co-parent simply refuses to share legal custody, the court must hand sole decision-making to one of you. That single 'no' can put schooling, medical and religious decisions entirely in one parent's hands, no matter how involved the other has been. People learn this far too late, after they've already conceded ground in early negotiations or a 'temporary' order that hardens into the final one. Knowing it before you talk terms changes everything. Call 1-844-690-0555, free and any hour, to understand how Oregon's custody rule applies to your situation before you agree to anything.
If money is tight, Oregon has real free and low-cost help for family-law problems. These organizations are genuinely relevant — start here, and call 1-844-690-0555 any time to figure out which one fits.
Do I need a reason to divorce in Oregon, or can my spouse stop me?
No reason beyond 'irreconcilable differences' is required (ORS 107.025), and your spouse can't block it — Oregon is pure no-fault, and the court only needs to find the marriage has irremediably broken down. You don't prove cheating or cruelty. For how this applies to your filing, call 1-844-690-0555 free, any hour.
Is Oregon a 50/50 community property state?
No. Oregon uses equitable distribution under ORS 107.105 — the judge divides marital property as is 'just and proper,' which is often close to equal but not guaranteed to be. Separate property, inheritances and short marriages can shift the result. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand how your assets might be split.
Will my spouse's affair affect the divorce?
Generally not the money side. Oregon bars fault from both the property division and spousal support, so an affair won't win you a larger share or more support on its own. It can matter to custody only if it affected the children. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on what actually moves the needle.
Can the court order joint custody if I want it but my ex doesn't?
No — and this surprises people. Under ORS 107.169 an Oregon judge cannot order joint custody unless both parents agree. If your ex refuses, the court must give sole legal custody to one parent. Knowing this before you negotiate is critical; call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to talk it through.
How is child support calculated in Oregon?
By the income-shares formula in ORS 25.275 — both parents' incomes, the number of overnights, and childcare and health costs go into the Oregon DOJ guideline calculator, with a parenting-time credit past 88 overnights and a floor that rarely drops below $100 per child per month. For an estimate tailored to you, call 1-844-690-0555.
How fast can I get a restraining order against an abusive partner?
Often the same day. If you've been abused within the last 180 days (ORS 107.710) and are in imminent danger, a circuit court can issue a FAPA restraining order with no filing fee. It can last up to two years. To learn how to file and what to bring, call 1-844-690-0555 free, any hour.
I was served with a FAPA restraining order I think is unfair — what now?
Act quickly. You have 30 days after being served to request a court hearing to contest it (ORS 107.718); miss that window and a two-year order can stand unchallenged. Violating it meanwhile is contempt, and endangering the protected person is a Class C felony. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand your options.
Can I move out of state with my kids after a divorce?
Not freely. Once a custody order exists, you must give 60 days' written notice before moving more than 60 miles farther from the other parent (ORS 107.159), and they can ask the court to stop the move or change custody. Don't move first and ask later — call 1-844-690-0555 free before you do anything.
Do I have to go to mediation before a judge will hear my custody case?
Usually, yes. In contested custody and parenting-time cases an Oregon court can order you into mediation before it decides the dispute (ORS 107.755). Cases tied to a FAPA abuse order are exempt. For what to expect and how to prepare, call 1-844-690-0555 any hour.
Is there a waiting period for divorce in Oregon?
No statewide waiting period — Oregon repealed its old 90-day rule in 2011, so a fully agreed divorce can finalize in roughly one to three months. If you married outside Oregon, one spouse must have lived here six months before filing (ORS 107.075). Call 1-844-690-0555 for a realistic timeline for your case.
What does it cost to file for divorce in Oregon?
The circuit court dissolution filing fee is $301 (ORS 21.155), and you can apply for a fee waiver if your income is low. That's separate from any attorney fees or a paid consultation. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for information on costs and the low-cost help available.
Is Legal Hotline a law firm that will represent me?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender — we give legal information, not legal advice, and calling creates no attorney-client relationship. We can, if you want, help you book a paid consultation with an Oregon-licensed family-law attorney. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to start.
We send Oregon families to vetted local attorneys for divorce, custody, support and protective-order matters. If you're licensed in Oregon and want quality family-law referrals from people who've already had their questions answered and are ready to act, join our network. Reach us through 1-844-690-0555 to learn how it works.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Custody, property, support and restraining-order deadlines move fast in Oregon, and one wrong concession can shape your family for years. Get clear, Oregon-specific legal information now — free, any hour, no income test, no web form, in your language. Call 1-844-690-0555 and know exactly where you stand before you take the next step. It's information, not advice, and it creates no attorney-client relationship — just the answers you need tonight.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.