Divorce Lawyers in Oregon
Whether you and your spouse are parting on good terms and need guidance for an uncontested divorce or you’re anticipating a difficult contested divorce, our experienced family law attorneys at Johnson and Taylor can help. We know divorce can be complicated as well as emotionally and financially taxing. Our divorce lawyers are dedicated to keeping your best interests at the forefront and providing compassionate legal support you can trust.
Types of Divorce in Oregon
There are several options for divorce in Oregon. Our family law attorneys can help you decide which choice is best for you and ensure your rights and interests are protected.
- No-fault divorce — Oregon is a no-fault divorce state, which means couples are not required to prove grounds for divorce. Instead, the parties can simply state that they have irreconcilable differences. Although filing for a no-fault divorce is fairly straightforward, a family law attorney can help you sort out issues such as property division, child custody, parenting time, and child support.
- Uncontested divorce — This is a good option when both parties agree on all the terms of the divorce. Uncontested divorces can be completed in a timely and affordable manner and are best done with the help of an attorney.
- Contested divorce — When parties cannot agree on all the terms of a divorce, they may end up slugging it out in court. Contested divorces are the most expensive and time-consuming.
- Annulment — Like divorce, an annulment ends a marriage, but voids the marriage, treating it as if it never happened. Grounds for an annulment include fraud and getting married while one party was still married to someone else.
- Legal Separation — If you and your spouse haven’t lived in Oregon for at least six months or your religious beliefs prohibit divorce, legal separation can be a practical option. Much like a divorce, a legal separation addresses issues such as child custody, property division, alimony, and child support.
Regardless of which type of legal remedy you choose to dissolve your relationship, our divorce lawyers can advise you of your options and guide you through the process every step of the way.
What Is Mediation?
Divorce mediation is a common, cost-effective way to resolve issues in a divorce. Both spouses meet with a neutral party who facilitates negotiations to come to a fair divorce settlement agreement. Court-sponsored mediation addresses issues of child custody and parenting time only. Private mediators can assist the parties with all aspects of the divorce case. The mediator does not represent either party or make a final decision. Our family law attorneys are well-versed in mediation and work to help you resolve disagreements in an effective manner.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce In Oregon?
If you have each agreed to all the divorce terms and both of you sign the proposed final judgment, generally, an uncontested divorce can be final in one to three months.
Contested divorces often go to trial and can take much longer, but generally take between eight to fourteen months. If your ex-spouse is unwilling to find common ground, our family law attorneys are ready to fight for you.
What Is Included in a Divorce Judgment?
Once all issues are resolved, you’ll get a court order called a “General Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage,” which may include:
- The date your marriage ends
- How property and debts will be divided
- Who gets custody of the children and the specifics of the parenting time (visitation) schedule
- Who pays child support and in what amount
- Who is responsible for paying for the children’s health insurance
- Which parent claims the children for tax purposes
- Whether one spouse is required to pay spousal support to the other
- Any other matters that need to be documented
Post-Judgment Modification and Enforcement
Financial and personal circumstances change due to job loss, income increases or decreases, and other life events. After a divorce, you may need to modify child support, spousal support, custody order, or enforce terms of the judgment that your ex is not complying with. Our family law attorneys can assist you with filing petitions for these actions and help you navigate the court system.
Why Choose Our Divorce Lawyers?
Our team understands that dealing with matters such as divorce, custody, and child and spousal support can be contentious and emotional. Even in the best of circumstances, conflict can arise and cause negotiations to break down. Our divorce lawyers can help ease tension and provide an objective perspective on family law issues.
Our family law attorneys safeguard your rights and help you come to a fair divorce settlement. We have decades of experience in Oregon family law and are familiar with the local courts. Our attorneys are well-respected by judges and others in the legal community. We provide the personalized, compassionate support you need to resolve issues and move forward with your life after divorce.
Contact Our Family Law Attorneys
At Johnson and Taylor, our divorce lawyers are committed to providing exceptional legal representation based on a foundation of client-centered service and professionalism. If you’re considering divorce or need assistance with other family law matters, we can help. To schedule a consultation with a family law attorney, call our office at 503-990-6641 or contact us online. Our experienced team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff, and our office in Salem, OR, is conveniently located next to the courthouse. Johnson and Taylor litigates personal injury, divorce and family law and estate planning and probate cases. Our divorce and family and estate planning and probate lawyers serve clients in Marion, Polk, and Linn County and other surrounding communities.