Family Court

Cases Handled in the Family Court

• Domestic Relations Matters
  Marital dissolution (divorce),
  child custody and parenting time,
  child support,
  adoption,
  restraining orders, and more.


• Juvenile Court Cases
  Abused or neglected children and minors accused of law violations


• Domestic Violence Court Cases
  Criminal misdemeanor domestic violence cases and restraining order violations


• Probate Matters
  Estates, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships


• Civil Commitment Cases
  Proceedings about whether a person alleged to be mentally ill should be hospitalized or otherwise required to obtain treatment

Court Locations and Phone Numbers
Multnomah County Courthouse
1021 SW 4th Avenue in Portland (between Salmon and Main Streets)
Family Law Court Staff - 503/988-3022 (option 2)
Probate Court Staff - 503/988-3022 (option 4)

Juvenile Justice Center
1401 NE 68th Avenue, Portland (68th Avenue exit off I-84 eastbound)
Juvenile Court Clerk Office - 503/988-3022 (option 5)

Judges of the Family Court
Maureen McKnight - Chief Family Court Judge
Katherine Tennyson - Chief Probate Judge
Paula J. Kurshner
Michael Loy
Michael McShane
Tom Ryan
Diana I. Stuart
Susan M. Svetkey
Kathryn Villa-Smith
Merri Souther Wyatt

Referees Handling Juvenile Court Cases
Lisa Fithian-Barrett
Carol Herzog
Linda Hughes
David Knofler

Referees Handling Civil Commitment Cases
Connie Isgro

The staff of the Family Court can provide procedural help but not legal advice. Resources for persons who do not have attorneys can be found in Q/A no.3 on the FAQs page, on the Finding Legal Help page, and on the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) Family Law statewide website. Check the Helpful Links on the left side of this page, too.