Oregon Family Law and Custody

Parents of dependent children may request that the Court determine custody, parenting time (also known as "visitation"), and child support for their children. Parents may seek the Court's help whether they are married, divorced, or have never been married.

The Court will make decisions about custody and parenting time by determining what arrangements would be in the children's best interests. Many Oregon courts require that the parents attend a parenting class or mediation, so that they can better understand how to work together and focus on the children's needs.

Child support will be set based on the child's parents' gross income and the number of children in the family. There is a formula developed by the Oregon Legislature that determines what the child support amount should be.

If a court of any state has already made a ruling on custody, parenting time, or child support, these rulings can sometimes be modified. Parents must show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances that would justify modifying the previous ruling, and that a modification would be in the children's best interests.

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