Finding a Lawyer.

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO): Free legal representation for low-income Oregonians in civil matters, including family law. Priority for cases involving domestic violence.

Oregon Law Center (OLC): oregonlawcenter.org — Free legal help for low-income families. Information, advice, brief service, and representation on family law issues.

Oregon Law Help: oregonlawhelp.org — Comprehensive self-help legal information maintained by the Oregon State Bar. Includes articles, forms, and resource directory.

Oregon Free Legal Answers: Free online Q&A with pro bono attorneys. Post a civil legal question and get an answer from a licensed Oregon attorney at no cost.

Many Oregon circuit courts have family law facilitators who provide free information, assistance, and navigation to people representing themselves in family law cases.

Facilitators can help you: understand court forms, navigate the filing process, find resources, and understand court procedures. They cannot give legal advice or represent you.

Contact your local court to find out if a facilitator is available. A list of facilitators is available at courts.oregon.gov.

The Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) helps match you with a private lawyer who handles your type of legal problem.

Cost: First meeting of up to 30 minutes for no more than $50. After that, you and the lawyer decide whether to work together.

Phone: 503-684-3763 or 1-800-452-7636 (toll-free in Oregon)

Online: osbar.org/public/ris

Help available in English and Spanish.

The Oregon State Bar offers a Modest Means Program — reduced-rate legal assistance for qualified applicants based on income and assets.

Eligibility depends on: client income, assets, type of case, and availability of a participating lawyer in your county.

Rates typically $60-$100/hour depending on income. Apply through the Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-452-7636.

Oregon does NOT have formal board certification in family law. The Oregon State Bar does not certify specialists in any area of law.

When looking for a qualified family law attorney, look for:

• AAML membership (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers) — prestigious national organization
• Oregon State Bar Family Law Section membership
• Extensive experience specifically in family law (not a general practice)
• Experience in your county’s courts
• Familiarity with Oregon’s unique custody/parenting time distinction
• Good reviews and references from former clients

Hourly rates: $250-$450/hour (varies by region — Portland metro higher, rural areas lower)

Retainer: $2,500-$10,000+ for contested custody cases

Flat fee: $1,500-$3,500 for uncontested divorce

Modest Means reduced rates: $60-$100/hour based on income

Ask about: hourly rate, retainer amount, what the retainer covers, billing practices, estimated total cost, and whether they offer payment plans.

The Oregon Child Support Program (OCSP) under the Department of Justice handles child support establishment, modification, and enforcement.

Services include: establishing parentage, establishing support orders, income withholding, modifying orders, enforcing orders, and collecting payments.

Payments: Processed centrally through OCSP. Income withholding is the primary method — employers withhold from the paying parent’s paycheck. Disbursement via direct deposit or U.S. Bank ReliaCard.

Website: doj.state.or.us/child-support

Oregon DV Hotline (Call to Safety): 1-888-235-5333 (24/7, statewide, toll-free)

Gateway Center for Domestic & Sexual Violence Services: Multnomah County — same-day support, safety planning, RO navigation

DV Resource Center (DVRC): 503-469-8620 or 1-866-469-8600 (24-hour crisis line, bilingual)

FAPA information: courts.oregon.gov FAPA page

National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Oregon Judicial Department Self-Help: courts.oregon.gov/programs/family/selfhelp

Guide and File (iForms): Complete and file court forms online — courts.oregon.gov Guide & File

Child support calculator: justice.oregon.gov/guidelines

Oregon Law Help: oregonlawhelp.org — free legal information, articles, and resource directory

In most Oregon custody and divorce cases, parents go through the court process without a lawyer. Only a small percentage of cases involve lawyers. Consider hiring one if: you fear for your safety, the other parent lives out of state, or the case is highly contested.