Clatsop County Family Court has served families effectively since July 1, 2000. The court assigns cases on a one judge / one family basis. This allows judges to hold hearings together when appropriate, issue non-conflicting orders, and create solutions that best fit a family's needs.
Family Law cases include divorce, separation, child custody, and modification cases involving child custody, parenting time, and child support. There is generally a fee for filing these types of cases.
For protective orders or restraining orders, please visit our Protective Order webpage.
The Family Resource Center (FRC) is for people who are representing themselves in a Family Law court action. These are cases like divorce, custody, parenting time, restraining orders, and protective orders. A family court facilitator can tell parties about court procedures and available court forms, review documents before they are filed, and provide information about legal services and other resources available in the community. The program is part of state-wide effort to improve accessibility of the court system to the public.
- All cases are serious. You are advised to consult with a lawyer. We are not lawyers. We cannot represent you. We cannot give you legal advice or help you with legal strategy. We cannot tell you what legal actions you should take. We cannot fill out any forms for you.
- We can explain what forms are available. We can provide you with some generic forms. We can try to answer your basic questions about court procedure. We may be able to offer information on other legal resources in the court and in the community.
- We assume no responsibility for the accuracy or legal effects of the information contained in any written or verbal instructions or forms staff may give you. It is your responsibility to choose and prepare your own forms. Any meetings or conversations you have with us are not confidential. Please be aware that we may also assist the opposing party in your case by answering questions about the forms and procedures.
Family Resource Center Contact Information
Family Resource Center Hours of Operation: Walk-in Times
- Walk ins are for general questions, including those about packet selection and court process.
- When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 am to Noon and Tuesday, Thursday: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
- Walk-ins are first come, first served
Document Reviews are by appointment
- Please visit the Book a Document Review Appointment section of this webpage to learn more about scheduling a document review with the facilitator.
Please note: If you are filing a protective order, you DO NOT need a document review appointment. Please come to the customer service windows with your completed protective order packet.
Additional Court Resources & Available Forms
Legal Assistance
- If you have legal questions, you should contact an attorney
- Oregon Lawyer Referral Services: 800-452-7636
- The Oregon State Bar: www.osbar.org
- The Oregon Law Center: 503-640-4115 or 877-296-4076 and https://oregonlawhelp.org/
More information about filing in Clatsop County Circuit Court
Other Resources:
Please note: If you are filing a protective order, you DO NOT need a document review appointment. Please come to the customer service windows with your completed protective order packet.
If you are filing a family law packet, we strongly suggest you have it reviewed before filing.
Click here to schedule your appointment now!
Appointments are 30 or 60 minutes long depending on what packets are being reviewed. Appointments can be in person or by video, using Webex.
- 30 minute appointments:
- filing default/judgment
- alternative service
- any enforcement packet including contempt
- status quo
- immediate danger
- stipulated judgment
- registration of foreign judgment
- 60 minute appointments:
- filing a new case
- responding to a case
- prejudgment relief
- motion to modify
- response to modify
- filing multiple packets at the same time
- if you need an interpreter (we will change your appointment to 90 minutes)
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please email or call us as soon as possible so we can assist someone else during that time.
Mediation is an opportunity for the parties to settle custody and parenting time issues out of court instead of going to trial and asking a judge to make these decisions. The mediator is a neutral person who helps guide settlement discussions, provides information, and writes down agreements. There is no fee for court-ordered mediation.
Mediation is mandatory in all contested custody and parenting time cases unless waived by a judge. Family abuse restraining order cases are exempt by law. Parties should notify the mediator if domestic violence is an issue in the case.
Arbitration is mandatory in domestic relations cases in which the only contested issue is the division or other disposition of property. Parties must compensate the arbitrator and pay reasonable expenses of arbitration. Parties may agree to use mediation instead of arbitration.
See our Arbitration document for more information
In any domestic relations case, a non-custodial parent shall have the right to parenting time with the minor children of the parties according to the
Basic Parenting Plan. If the parties agree, an
Expanded Parenting Plan or something similar can be used instead.
Child support is money regularly paid by a parent to help support a child. The court can order child support to be paid. Oregon has guidelines for calculating support. Your attorney or the Family Resource Center can provide help with child support calculations.
Clatsop County Circuit Court offers two different kinds of trials in family law cases, an Informal Domestic Relations Trial (IDRT) and a traditional trial. The IDRT is a simpler procedure for people without lawyers, although lawyers also may use it. The Court offers IDRT because traditional trials require parties to follow the rules of evidence and the court rules, which can be more difficult for people without lawyers. In IDRTs, the judge asks the questions and the parties can give the judge written statements from witnesses. The judge will decide how much weight to give to the evidence.
In a traditional trial, the parties call witnesses and ask them questions. Questions must comply with the rules of evidence. Written statements are not usually allowed.
The Court adopted a supplementary local rule (SLR) to allow IDRT. For more information regarding the two types of trials, please read the Domestic Relations Trial Brochure.
An IDRT will be used only if both people involved in the case agree to it and file the election form.
Domestic Relations Trial Brochure (Clatsop County)
IDRT Election & Waiver
IDRT Docket Call Sheet