Family Law Resources in Oregon: Where to Get Help
Family law issues can be tricky to navigate, especially when emotions run high. If you're dealing with a divorce, child custody, support, or other family law matters in Oregon, you don't have to do it alone.
Here's a list of key resources to get started:
The Oregon Law Help website has more than 70 articles covering divorce, custody, adoption, family court cases, and other family law topics. To browse these articles, visit the family law section.
The Oregon Judicial Department provides free forms. Visit the Oregon Judicial Department Family Law Program website to find free court forms for Oregon divorce, custody, and restraining order cases.
You can get free help with your family court case from a family law facilitator (also called a family court facilitator). Family law facilitators work for the courts. They can help you find the right form, explain court rules, and guide you through the steps in your case.
Some nonprofit law firms provide free or low-cost services to people involved in family court cases. These services are usually fairly limited, and many programs have narrow eligibility rules.
You can use the Legal Directory on this site to search for free and low-cost legal help.
Lawyers can answer legal questions, draft legal forms, and go to court with you. If you are involved in a divorce or custody case, you should contact a family law lawyer for help.
You can call Oregon's Lawyer Referral Service for help finding an attorney in Oregon. This service matches you with a lawyer in your area based on your legal issue.
It's important to understand the costs of hiring a lawyer. The typical hourly rate for an Oregon family law lawyer is around $300. If you hire a lawyer to represent you in your entire case, it can easily cost you $10,000 or more.
Tip: If you're worried about costs, ask for an attorney who offers limited-scope or unbundled services. This means the attorney will help with a part of your case, such as reviewing documents or preparing for a hearing, rather than handling your entire case, which is typically very expensive.
If you're leaving an abusive relationship, there are free resources to help you stay safe and navigate the legal system. These resources include shelters, emotional support, financial assistance, and legal advocacy.
- Get emergency help by calling the National Domestic Violence hotline.
- Find local services using the OCADSV directory.
Mediation can help you resolve disagreements outside of court without a long, expensive court battle.
- Most courts provide free or low-cost custody and parenting time mediation services. Contact your local circuit court to find out about mediation options.
- You can also hire a mediator to help you settle your entire case. Use the Oregon Mediation Association directory to search for mediators.
If you need help with food, rent, utilities, or other support, contact 2-1-1. This service can connect you to local community resources.