How Much Does A Divorce Cost In Oregon?
How long does a divorce take in Oregon?
Perhaps the best way of answering this question is by asking you one: How amicable do you believe your divorce will be?
Why does this matter? Because, generally speaking, the more amicable the divorce, the quicker you’ll see a resolution. Similarly, the simplicity of your estate will influence how long it might take to come to a resolution to your divorce.
An uncontested divorce will likely be even quicker. What process you choose will also affect the timeline.
Collaborative and mediation cases often proceed faster than traditional litigation cases. These options are typically more good-natured in their intent to come to an equitable resolution, but it doesn’t always mean that they’re faster options, as so much depends on the issues that arise and the parties’ timelines.
The bottom line is, the more assets you have to untangle — the more properties you own, bank and retirement accounts, credit cards, investments, loans, and other forms of debt you might have — the longer it usually takes to finalize a divorce.
Do you and your spouse have children? If so, then this too can often stretch out how long a divorce will take, if you’re unable to come to an agreement about custody, the parenting plan, and financial obligations like child or spousal support.
So, how long does divorce take in Oregon? It depends.
While that’s probably not the most satisfying answer, it is the most realistic one. At DBMA Family Law Group, our aim is to provide you with legal counsel that will lead to the best, most equitable resolution as swiftly as possible.
Tips for achieving a quicker resolution to your divorce
The dynamic of every divorce is going to be unique. We understand that some disputes will be quite contentious, some will possess incredibly difficult elements like abuse and/or addiction, and other factors that compound the complexity of the divorce.
These tips might not apply to those cases, so please consider each tip as it realistically relates to your particular set of circumstances.
Get your things in order. There are few actions that can help speed up any process more than just being prepared to meet the moment.
If your affairs are simple and you have no children, then you have a greater chance of success taking care of your divorce paperwork on your own, should you wish.
Organize any records related to your income and assets, even those you consider personal and not shared, and be as forthcoming as possible with your counsel to ensure that they can give you legal advice to the depth which you and your family will need.
Be prepared to negotiate. Divorce is a dissolution of marriage, but the space between your marriage and your divorce is a negotiation process.
As best you can, get into that headspace as you begin to work with your lawyer and enter negotiations. Your willingness to be cooperative will make the process smoother, and usually quicker. Of course, the hope is that your spouse is entering into this process with a similar cooperative attitude.
Have you been served with divorce papers? Respond to them! If you’re the recipient of your spouse’s intent to divorce, then you can speed up the process by responding to them as quickly as possible, especially if your intent is to simply grant them a divorce.
Yes, you have 30 days after the date you’ve been served with the petition, and those petitions that have gone unanswered may be decided by a judge (if the petitioner filed an Order of Default after the fact), but why drag out the process?
You can file your response on your own or you can work with legal counsel in a limited or full service capacity in order to complete the paperwork you’re responsible for.
Know when it’s the right time to say “when.” We’re certainly not recommending that anyone compromise their values or what they feel is an equitable settlement when it comes to their divorce — quite the opposite, actually.
We would, however, recommend that a person question their intent in letting negotiations drag on and on without a chance of resolution in sight. Are you holding out on certain terms because it creates the best outcome, or are you motivated by something else?
Maintaining this sense of self-awareness can help keep you grounded throughout the divorce process.
Are you focused on what’s best for the children? When it comes to custody, the parenting plan, and child support — every element pertaining to the children in a divorce settlement — the court is focused on one specific thing to guide its decision making: What’s best for the children?
Using this idea as a guidepost will help you sustain a healthy perspective on what you can focus your energy on as you complete your divorce.