Family Law, also known as Domestic Relations, includes a number of different types of cases including adoption, child custody and parenting time child support and spousal support, dissolution of marriage (divorce), filiation (paternity), legal separation and restraining orders.
Family Law cases involve making important decisions and often have complex legal issues that are difficult to resolve without an attorney. Because your rights may be substantially affected, it is strongly recommended that you consult with an attorney prior to beginning any legal action.
These are the ways to initiate or respond to a domestic relations case:
- Your attorney may file electronically using File and Serve
- You may use Guide and File interactive interview with online File and Serve
- You may use Guide and File interactive interview and print the documents for review and filing
- You may print and complete forms from the Oregon Judicial Department forms page and bring them to Room 301 for review and filing
- You may purchase forms in Room 301 for completion, review and filing
Facilitation:
The court offers a family facilitation program to anyone that needs assistance with their Domestic Relation forms.
How to request facilitation:
If you do not arrive promptly at your scheduled appointment, you may be required to reschedule.
You must have all of your paperwork completed as much as possible prior to beginning facilitation. Court facilitators cannot give you legal advice or fill out your forms for you.
What can the Court Facilitators do for me?
Facilitators CAN:
- Provide information on how to find forms and how to complete them
- Provide information about court procedures, rules, and other educational materials
- Refer to agencies and resources that provide legal and other services
- Provide document review to make sure forms are complete
- Provide information about how to begin a court action
Facilitators CANNOT:
- Recommend one procedure or type of pleading over another
- Offer an opinion about a possible outcome of an action
- Encourage or discourage litigation by telling a customer they should or should not sue, file a complaint, or take other legal action
- Prepare documents for someone to file in court
- Advise or recommend a person or particular course of action in a case
- Recommend specific forms for use in solving a legal problem
View Oregon Judicial Department Family Law forms and information.
Adoption
Adoptions are confidential. Oregon law allows some people access to certain court adoption records without a court order. Others must get a court order to access adoption records.
View Oregon Judicial Department Family Law Program information regarding adoption.
The court does not provide forms for use in the adoption process.
Parenting Class & Mediation
Attending the parenting education class is required when children are involved. Mediation is available in the following case types:
- Annulment or dissolution of marriage
- Legal separation
- Petition to establish custody or parenting time (including paternity)
- Post-judgment litigation involving custody or parenting time
You are required to attend the following parenting education class unless you have the requirement waived by the court. You will be notified by mail of the date of the class, which takes place on the first floor of the courthouse in the conference room.
Polk County Domestic Relations Mediators:
Melissa Young
1193 Liberty St., SE
Salem, Oregon 97302
(503) 990-6641
melissa@johnsontaylorlaw.com
Alex Tilson
10365 SE Sunnyside Rd., Ste. 200
Clackamas, Oregon 97015
(503) 482-9689
alex@mediatepdx.com
Brian Egan
2609 NW Bluebell Pl., Ste. 100
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
(541) 740-0540
brian@mediationclarity.com
Eydie Aragon (Spanish)
PO Box 2134
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
(831) 894-5225
eydiearagonlmft@gmail.com
Stefyni Allen
PO Box 3032
Salem, Oregon 97302
(503) 877-9727
Jennifer Brown
PO Box 6046
Salem, Oregon 97304
(971) 382-1144
Parenting Plan
This parenting plan is the standard used by the Polk County Circuit Court. If this plan is not satisfactory for your situation, you must submit another plan for the court to approve.
Polk Standard Parenting Time Schedule
Restraining Orders
If you are in need of a restraining order please review the following links and information regarding the requirements and forms:
Family Abuse Prevention Act
Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Abuse Prevention Act
Sexual Abuse Protective Order
All of these forms are available in Room 301.
Completed restraining order forms must be received by 11:00 a.m. in order to be considered by a judge the same business day. If forms are filed after 11:00 a.m. the matter will be heard the next business day.
While court staff can provide general information about court procedures, ORS 9.160 prohibits court staff from giving legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney.