Divorce Lawyers in Oregon
Our legal system is complicated, so most lawyers specialize in different types of law. If you're looking for a lawyer to help you get a divorce, look for a "family law lawyer" or a "divorce lawyer" to handle your case.
Do you need a lawyer to get a divorce?
Not always.
If you have a "simple divorce," you can start your divorce using Oregon's free court forms. You can also get basic help for free from a family law facilitator at your local court.
However, you should talk to a lawyer if:
- You're afraid of your spouse.
- You or your spouse have retirement accounts, own a home, have a lot of debt, or have a lot of titled property (cars, boats, trailers, etc).
- Your spouse lives in another state.
- You're involved in other legal matters (like bankruptcy, child welfare, or a guardianship case).
- You need to file for divorce immediately but don't meet the residency requirements for starting a divorce in Oregon.
If you're afraid of your spouse, visit this page for information on leaving an unsafe or unhealthy relationship.
Ready to hire a lawyer?
If you still want to hire a lawyer, we'll answer some commonly asked questions about finding a lawyer and costs. We'll also provide tips for saving money during your case.
Finding a good lawyer
Here are some options for finding a divorce lawyer in Oregon:
- Ask for recommendations from your friends and family who've been through a divorce or custody case.
- Call Oregon's Lawyer Referral Service to get a free referral.
- Use the internet to search for "divorce attorneys near me."
After you have a list of names, it's time to narrow down your options. Here are some tips:
- Look up attorneys or their law firm online and read reviews
- Use the Oregon State Bar Lawyer Directory to check that your attorney is licensed and has no disciplinary history.
- Schedule a meeting ("consultation") to discuss the lawyer's fees and expectations. During this meeting, make sure you understand:
- The attorney's recommendations for your case
- How the attorney will bill you for their work
- An estimate of the total legal fees you might expect to pay
- The attorney's expectations for you as a client
- Meet with at least two attorneys before you hire one
Finally, it's time to make a choice. Choose a lawyer you feel comfortable working with. This person will be with you through a very difficult time in your life, so it's important to find someone you trust.
Costs of hiring a lawyer
Predicting the total amount you'll spend on a divorce lawyer is difficult. It depends on the level of conflict between you and your spouse and the complexity of your case.
Most divorce lawyers charge by the hour. According to a recent Oregon report, the average hourly rate for a divorce lawyer is $300. You can easily spend $30,000 or more if you hire a lawyer to represent you in a contested court divorce.
Do divorce lawyers take payments?
Yes, most divorce lawyers take payments. Your lawyer may expect you to make these payments during your case:
- Retainer payment. Most divorce lawyers will ask you to pay a retainer before they start working on your case. Retainer payments can vary from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the lawyer, the complexity of your case, and the work they've agreed to do for you.
- Monthly payments. Many lawyers will also expect you to make monthly payments to keep up with the work they're doing in your case. The monthly payment will vary from lawyer to lawyer.
- Replenishment payments. If your lawyer is doing a lot of work for you, and they've used up your retainer or your monthly payments aren't keeping up with their work, they may ask you for more money. This is often called a "replenishment" payment.
- Post-divorce payments. If you still owe money after your case is done, your lawyer will likely expect you to make payments until you pay off your bill.
If you can't keep paying your lawyer, your lawyer may stop representing you. If that happens, they have to warn you before they stop. They can't leave you in a bad situation.
What if I can't afford a divorce lawyer?
Some lawyers or law firms in Oregon offer free or reduced fees to low-income people. Unfortunately, there aren't many, and most of these lawyers or firms are very busy.
You can use the Oregon Law Help legal directory to see if there are options for free or reduced-cost family law lawyers in your area.
If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, here are some other options:
- Use Oregon's free court forms to represent yourself
- Get help with your forms from a family law facilitator
- Consider mediation or having an informal trial to resolve your case
Tips for saving money on legal fees
Many people hire a lawyer at the beginning of their case, but run out of money halfway through it, when they need a lawyer the most. But, if you follow a few tips, you can prevent this from happening to you.
Tip #1: Talk to your lawyer about your budget
If you have a limited budget, be sure to have an honest conversation with your lawyer. Ask your lawyer if:
- Your budget is realistic and how far it will take you
- They have suggestions for how you can save money or stretch your budget
- There are things you can do yourself instead of paying your attorney to do them for you
Tip #2: Hire a lawyer to help you only with the most complicated parts of your case
It's becoming more common for divorce attorneys to offer "unbundled legal services" or "limited scope representation." This means you're hiring a lawyer to help you only with a small part of your case instead of the whole case. For example, you and your spouse could agree on the terms of your divorce and then hire a lawyer to help you draft your divorce paperwork.
Caution: Unbundled services aren't a one-size-fits-all package. Because of this, it's important to understand what tasks your lawyer will help you with and which tasks are your responsibility. It's also important to understand the risks. Your lawyer must clearly explain all of this to you. Be sure to read all agreements carefully and ask if you have any questions!
Tip #3: Understand what your lawyer will bill you for
Your lawyer will bill you for everything they do in your case. They usually bill in 6-minute or 15-minute increments. Lawyers typically bill for all of these tasks:
- Talking on the phone with you or other people involved in your case
- Reading and responding to emails and text messages related to your case
- Going to court for you
- Drafting legal paperwork for your case
- Meetings with you or your spouse's attorney
- Gathering records and other evidence for your case
- Reviewing documents and evidence
- All other work related to your case
You can see how legal fees can add up quickly!
Takeaways
- Getting a divorce in Oregon can be simple or complicated, depending on your situation.
- You might not need a lawyer if your divorce is straightforward. But, it's good to talk to one if things are more complex, like if you have a lot of property or are worried about your safety.
- Divorce lawyers can be expensive, but there are ways to manage the costs or find help if you can't afford one.
- Remember to look around and talk to different lawyers to find the best one for you. Understanding how lawyers charge can help you save money in the long run.
- If you can't afford a lawyer, use Oregon's free court forms and your local court's family law facilitator services. You can also use the Legal Directory on this site to see if there are any free or low-cost family law lawyers or law firms in your area.