Do Your Own Divorce in Oregon

by Smith, Robin

• ISBN13: 9780873375788
• ISBN10: 0873375785
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

This helpful book outlines how to file an uncontested divorce in Oregon -- one in which a couple handles its own divorce and resolves disputes outside the courtroom.

With step-by-step instructions and plain-English explanations, this practical guide shows how to:
-- sort out financial issues surrounding a divorce
-- work out child custody, visitation and support
-- use professional mediators
-- fill out and file all of the forms

Provides all the needed forms as tear-outs.

Table of Contents

You Can Do Your Own Divorce
Most Divorces Do Not Need an Attorney	2	(1)
Even Bitter Fights Can Be Resolved	2	(1)
Getting Help Doesn't Always Mean Hiring an Attorney	2	(1)
Should You Use This Book?
Your Divorce Must Be Uncontested	2	(1)
When to Get Additional Help	3	(1)
Other Books	3	(1)
Chart: Should I Use This Book?	4
An Overview of an Uncontested Divorce
Co-Petitioner Divorces	2	(1)
Petitioner/Respondent Divorces	3	(1)
Commonly Asked Questions and Answers
Can I file in Oregon?	3	(1)
Can I still get a divorce if my spouse does not live in Oregon?	3	(1)
Where do I file?	3	(1)
How long does a divorce take?	4	(1)
What are the filing fees for a divorce?	4	(1)
What if I cannot afford the filing fee?	4	(1)
What are the issues my spouse and I will need to agree on to obtain an uncontested divorce?	4	(1)
My spouse and I don't agree on some important issues. Does that mean we'll need attorneys?	5	(1)
What should I do if my spouse contests (files a response with the court) the divorce?	5	(1)
If my spouse and I reach an agreement after the divorce has already become contested, how do we make the divorce uncontested again?	6	(1)
To get a divorce do I have to prove that my spouse did something wrong, like cheating on me?	6	(1)
Will there be a court hearing?	6	(1)
Can I get temporary custody or child support while the divorce is pending?	6	(1)
What is alimony or spousal support and when is it awarded?	7	(1)
What if I want to move after I file the divorce but before it's final?	8	(1)
What if I decide I don't really want to go through with the divorce after I've already filed the petition?	8	(1)
What's the difference between an annulment and a divorce?	8	(1)
What's the difference between a legal separation and a divorce?	9	(1)
What happens to retirement funds in a divorce?	9	(1)
What happens to a family business in a divorce?	9	(1)
Can I change my name?	10
Important Things to Do Immediately
Close All Joint Accounts	2	(1)
Obtain Restraining Orders If Necessary	3	(1)
Obtain Temporary Orders If Necessary	3
Understanding Mediation
You Can Mediate Even If You've Already Hired a Lawyer	2	(1)
You Can't ``Lose'' in Mediation	2	(1)
Who Are Divorce Mediators?	2	(1)
The Difference Between Private Mediation and Court-Ordered Mediation	3	(1)
The Difference Between Mediators and Mediation Services	3	(1)
How to Find a Mediator or Mediation Service	4	(1)
How Mediation Works--An Example	5	(2)
Translating the Mediation Results Into Court Papers	7
Property and Debt Division
Determining Which Property Is Marital Property	2	(2)
Dividing Marital Property	4	(3)
Dividing Debts of the Marriage	7
Child Custody and Parenting Time
Do Your Best to Reach Agreement	2	(2)
Identifying Marital Children	4	(1)
Making Custody and Parenting Time Arrangements	5	(4)
Putting Your Agreement in Writing	9
Child Support--What It Is, How It's Computed
Requesting Child Support	2	(1)
Determining Who Will Pay Child Support	2	(1)
Deviating From the Statutory Guidelines	3	(1)
Expenses Included in Child Support Calculations	3	(1)
Encountering Problems With Child Support Arrangements	4	(2)
Before You Fill Out the Child Support Worksheets	6	(1)
Instructions for Completing the Child Support Worksheets	7
The Forms
Which Forms to Use	2	(2)
Tips for Filling In the Forms	4	(1)
Signing and Notarizing the Forms	5
Filling Out Co-Petitioner Forms
Form-by-Form Instructions	2	(14)
After You've Completed the Forms	16
Filling Out Petitioner/Respondent Forms
Form-by-Form Instructions	2	(15)
After You've Completed the Forms	17
Filing the Forms
Filing Instructions for Co-Petitioners	2	(3)
Filing Instructions for Solo Petitioners	5	(7)
Deadlines	12	(1)
Dealing With Problems With Your Papers	13	(1)
Documents Issued by the Court	13	(1)
Filing Fees by County	14
After the Divorce
Like Divorces, Modifications Can Be Contested or Uncontested	2	(1)
Arrangements That Commonly Need Modification	2	(1)
Beyond the Book: Attorneys, Independent Paralegals and Books
Attorneys	2	(2)
Independent Paralegals	4	(1)
Books	4	(2)
Legal Research	6
Glossary of Legal Terms
Appendix A--Co-Petitioner Forms
Appendix B--Petitioner/Respondent Forms
Appendix C--Child Support
Appendix D--Miscellaneous Forms