Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)

Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) is a way to legally end a marriage. In Oregon the only reason you need to qualify for a divorce is that you and your spouse cannot get along. The law calls this “irreconcilable differences.”

Child and Spousal Support

Child Support is money regularly paid by a parent to help support a child. The court can order child support to be paid until a child is 18 and, in some instances, until a child turns 21. Child support can be ordered as part of a divorce case. Oregon has guidelines for calculation of support. The guidelines consider many factors, including but not limited to, income of the parents, cost of childcare, and number of children. You may request assistance from the Division of Child Support by calling (800) 850-0228, or visiting their website at www.dcs.state.or.us.

Spousal Support is money paid by one spouse to support the other. The money can be paid in installments or all at once. Spousal support can be ordered as part of a divorce. There are three different types of spousal support, and more than one type can be ordered in a case. Transitional support helps a spouse get an education or training to re-enter or advance in the workforce. Compensatory support reimburses a spouse for contributions to the education, career or earning capacity of the other spouse. Spousal maintenance maintains a similar standard of living to that of the marriage. The Oregon Child Support Program (800-850-0228) may help you collect spousal support if you already have an order and child support is also being collected.