Family and Children

NOTE: This web page provides general legal information in summary form. The information is not a complete explanation of the law in this area, and it is not intended to substitute for legal advice. The law in this area may change, and the changes may not be noted here. Contact a lawyer for legal advice.

Family Court Assistance Office

The Family Court Assistance Office helps self-represented litigants in divorce, legal separation, custody, or parenting time proceedings. Family Law Facilitators can help explain court procedures, review documents, and refer to other services and resources. Family Law Facilitators cannot give legal advice.

These cases involve important decisions and may have complex legal issues that are difficult to handle without a lawyer. Because your rights may be substantially affected, we strongly recommend you seek legal assistance from a lawyer who will protect your interests.

The Family Court Assistance Office reception window is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. During this time you can purchase family law forms or request assistance from a facilitator.

Family Law Facilitators are also available by telephone or email. You may schedule an appointment with a facilitator for review of your family law forms. If you would like a document review, you must first fill out your forms as completely as possible. Once you have completed your forms you may schedule an appointment by contacting the Family Court Reception Window in person, by phone at 541.682.4302, or email at LANFamilyCourt@ojd.state.or.us. You can book an appointment online.

Schedule a Facilitator

For additional information on Divorce or Custody & Support visit the statewide Family Law Program website.

Contact Info

541.682.4302

LANFamilyCourt@ojd.state.or.us

Schedule a Facilitator

Location

125 E. 8th Avenue Eugene, OR 97401 Second Floor Check in at Court Records Window

Hours

FCAO Window Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Telephone Hours
8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Email
Monday through Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Our goal is to respond to emails within 1 business day

Parenting Education Class

Parents with children under 18 that are a party in a Lane County dissolution (divorce), legal separation, or legal action to establish or modify custody and/or parenting time are required to attend a parent education class, Focus on Children, held by Lane County Family Mediation. You can find information about fees, payment options, and registration on the Lane County Family Mediation website.

Domestic Relations Status Check Hearings

All contested cases that have at least one self-represented party will be set for a Domestic Relations Status Check hearing after the response is filed. The status check hearings are held on Mondays at 1:30pm.

Read your hearing notice carefully for information about when and how to appear. These hearings are held remotely and the link is always: https://courts.oregon.gov/LaneStatusCheckHearings. You may appear either by video or by telephone.

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A status check hearing is a mandatory appearance for both parties. If you do not appear, the other party may be awarded the relief requested of the court, meaning they get everything they asked for in the court papers.

	Checklist to do before the hearing
	Register for Focus on Children
	Attend Mediation after completing Focus on Children
	Decide if you will have a Traditional or Informal Domestic Relations Trial (IDRT)

The hearing is a mandatory appearance, meaning both you and the other party must appear. There will be a number of other cases on the docket. In addition to the judge and all the parties, there will be a representative from Family Court Assistance, Family Mediation, and the Child Support Program.

At the hearing, the judge will not be taking evidence or testimony or making decisions about the issues in the case but rather, checking in with both parties to make sure that everything is on track and then set the next court date.

IMPORTANT! If custody and/or parenting time are involved in your case and you haven’t yet taken the Focus on Children class or participated in mandatory mediation, it is likely the judge will order you to comply with these requirements and set another Status Check hearing. This can prolong or delay your case.

If either party in a case is requesting child or spousal support, both parties are required to file a document called a Uniform Support Declaration. If you haven’t already filed this document with the Court, you will be ordered to do so as well as to provide a copy to the other party and the Division of Child Support, if they have appeared in your case.

Discovery Documents

The other party may be entitled to review documents in your control about various things such as property, debts, vehicles, and child-related information. If the other party requests documents from you to help prepare for trial, the request of the documents and exchange of information is called “Discovery.” Parties are permitted to make discovery requests, and, in most instances, you are required to deliver copies of the requested items to the other party ORS 107.089. If the other party requests items, and you do not provide them copies of the things requested, it could have a negative effect on your case. When you receive a request, you must give the documents directly to the other party, you are not required to file those documents with the Court. If you have questions about the discovery process you should consult with a lawyer.

Self-help video explaining Discovery (providing information to or gathering information from the other party): Watch on YouTube

Resolving your case

If you have complied with the above requirements and settled all issues, the judge will schedule you an appointment to meet with the Family Court Assistance Office to help you prepare a stipulated Judgment that outlines your agreement.

If there are unresolved issues, the judge will set your case for either a trial or a settlement conference.

Settlement Conference

If you and the other party are close to resolving your case or have few remaining issues to settle, it may be appropriate to set your case for a settlement conference with a judge. A settlement conference is a time set for a judge to talk to both parties individually to see if the judge can guide parties to a settlement. Prior to the conference, each party can prepare and submit a confidential settlement letter. In the letter, you can outline the issues that are important to you and propose how you would like the case to be resolved. The letter is confidential and does not need to be sent to the other side. Make sure the case number is on the letter and that you print “CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT LETTER” at the top of the letter.

Trial

If a settlement conference is not appropriate, the judge will set your matter for trial. There are two trial types to choose from. Please be prepared to select the trial type: Traditional or Informal Domestic Relations Trial (IDRT).

Divorce and Custody Trial Brochure

View PDF on courts.oregon.gov

Important Resources

Relevant Forms

Document	Description	Type Of Document
Dissolution of Marriage or RDP With Children	This packet can be used by a petitioner in a dissolution where there are children of the marriage/partnership under the age of 21.	PDF
Dissolution of Marriage or RDP, No Children Under 21	This packet can be used by a petitioner who is asking for a dissolution when there are no children of the marriage/partnership or all children are 21 and older.	PDF
Dissolution Response, With Children	This packet is for a spouse or domestic partner who is answering a petition for dissolution of marriage or RDP and there are children under 21.	PDF
Dissolution Response, No Children	This packet is for a spouse or domestic partner who is answering a petition for dissolution of marriage or RDP and there are no children or all children are 21 and older.	PDF
Co-Petitioners Packet for Dissolution of Marriage With Children	This packet can be used when both parties are asking for the divorce and the terms and conditions are agreed up. Most forms need to be signed by both parties. This packet is for marriages or partnerships with children under the age of 21.	PDF
Co-Petitioners Packet for Dissolution of Marriage, No Children	This packet can be used when both parties are asking for the divorce and the terms and conditions are agreed up. Most forms need to be signed by both parties. This packet is for marriages or partnerships with no children, or all children are 21 and older.	PDF

Document	Description	Type Of Document
Legal Separation With Children	This packet is for a legal separation with children under age 21 involved.	PDF
Legal Separation, No Children	This packet is for a legal separation with no children or all children are 21 and older.	PDF
Separation Response With Children	This packet is for a spouse or partner that is answering a petition for separation and there are children.	PDF
Separation Response, No Children	This packet is for a spouse or partner that is answering a petition for separation and there are no children or all children are 21 and older.	PDF
Convert Case - Pre Judgment	This packet is used by spouses or domestic partners who wish to convert a separation case into a dissolution (divorce) case prior to the finalization of the separation.	PDF
Convert Judgment	This packet is for a spouse or partner who wants to convert a separation judgment into a dissolution (divorce) judgment.	PDF
Vacate Judgment	This packet is for parties who have already obtained a judgment of separation and agree to vacate that judgment.	PDF

Document	Description	Type Of Document
Unmarried Parents: Custody, Parenting Time, Support	This packet is for unmarried parents. Paternity (who the father of the child is) must be legally established before you can use these forms. This packet will allow you to ask the court for custody, parenting time, or child support.	PDF
Unmarried Parents, Response	This packet will allow an unmarried parent to respond to a petition for custody, parenting time, or child support.	PDF

Document	Description	Type Of Document
Modification of Custody, Parenting Time, And/Or Support	This packet will allow you to ask the court to modify (change) a custody, parenting time, child support, or spousal support judgment in Oregon. The request needs to be made in the same circuit court that entered the judgment that you are asking to modify.	PDF
Modification Response	This packet is for a party that is answering a request to modify a custody, parenting time, child support, or spousal support judgment.	PDF
Modification - Stipulation	This packet is for parties who are requesting together, or are stipulating to, a change in custody, parenting time, child support, or spousal support.	PDF

Document	Description	Type Of Document
Parenting Time Enforcement	This packet is for a parent that is not receiving parenting time as awarded in a Lane County Circuit Court order.	PDF
Custody Enforcement	This process is for someone who has been granted physical custody of a child by a court order from Oregon, or another state, and another party is violating that order by withholding the child.	PDF
Contempt of Court	This packet may be used when one party has failed to comply with an order or judgment by the court. This is for "remedial" sanctions only. These forms are not meant to be used to enforce child support, custody, or parenting time orders; however, they may be used to enforce spousal support awards.	PDF
Registration of an Out of State Order	This packet is for registering an out of state judgment.	PDF

Document	Description	Type Of Document
Status Quo Order - Pre-Judgment	This packet may be used for certain cases involving child custody issues to request that the current situation regarding the children does not change. A petition for divorce, separation, custody, or parenting time must have already been filed, or must be filed at the same time as this packet. These forms cannot be used in a case to modify an existing judgment.	PDF
Status Quo Order - Post-Judgment	This packet may be used for certain cases involving modification of child custody issues. A final judgment for divorce, separation, custody, or parenting time must have already been signed by a judge and a proceeding to modify an existing judgment must already be filed, or filed at the same time as this packet.	PDF
Status Quo Order - Request for Hearing	This packet may be used to request a hearing regarding a Status Quo Order.	PDF
Temporary Custody and Parenting Time with Immediate Danger	This packet can be used for certain cases involving child custody issues where the children are in "immediate danger," and a petition, court order, or judgment for divorce, separation, custody, or parenting time either has already been filed or will be filed simultaneously with this packet.	PDF
Immediate Danger - Request for Hearing	This packet may be used to request a hearing regarding a Temporary Immediate Danger Order.	PDF
Request for Temporary Access to Minor	This packet can be used to establish a temporary schedule for parenting time allowing both parents access to the children while a case is pending in court. A petition for divorce, separation, custody, or parenting time must have either already been filed or will be filed simultaneously with this packet. This packet is not intended to be used during a modification proceeding.	PDF
Request for Pre-Judgment Temporary Support	This packet can be used to establish temporary court-ordered child or spousal support. Either party in a case may ask for temporary orders after (or at the same time as) a petition for dissolution, separation, custody, or parenting time is filed. This packet is not intended to be used during a modification proceeding.	PDF
Response to Request for Pre-Judgment Temporary Support	This packet can be used to respond to a Motion for Temporary Support.	PDF
Exclusive Use of Property - Pre-Judgment	This packet can be used to ask the court to make a temporary decision on which party in a case can stay in the family home and/or have use, possession, or control of certain properties. Either party in a case may ask for temporary orders after (or at the same time as) a petition for dissolution, separation, or annulment is filed. The Court cannot award exclusive use of rental property to a single party. This packet is not intended to be used during a modification proceeding.	PDF

Document	Description	Type Of Document
Alternative Form of Service	This packet can be used if you have been unable to locate the respondent in order to serve the petition and other appropriate papers on them. You may ask the court to allow you to serve the respondent using an alternative method.	PDF
Waiver of Personal Service	This form allows a party to waive their right to personal service if they are subsequently charged with contempt in order to keep their home address confidential.	PDF
Change of Address Instructions	This packet may be used to provide "reasonable notice" of a change of residence as required in a custody judgment to notify the other parent and the court if you plan to move more than 60 miles away.	PDF
Uniform Support Declaration	This form is only required if you and your spouse do not agree on spousal or child support, or if you are filing a motion to modify a judgment where child and/or spousal support will be an issue.	PDF
Respondents Waiver of Right to Stay Proceedings	This form may be used if the respondent is in the active military service of the United States and has not responded to the petition, to wave the respondent's rights.	PDF
Request for Mediation	You may use this form to ask a judge to order a party in a pending proceeding to attend mediation orientation. NOTE: An order is not required to access mediation services through lane County Family Mediation. Contact the program by phone or email to register for the program.	PDF
Waiver of Further Appearance	This packet can be used by a respondent who, after having responded, wishes to waive their right to further appearance in the case and consent to an entry of a judgment in agreement with what the petitioner requested in the petition.	PDF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities	If you are seeking a dissolution of marriage, separation, or annulment, Oregon law requires each party to submit a statement listing all assets and liabilities that are to be distributed by the court. This is required in contested cases.	PDF
Change of Venue/Transfer of Case	This packet can be used if you have moved or there is another reason it is no longer convenient for you to have your case in the same Oregon court in which you filed.	PDF
Objection to Arrears	This packet can be used to object to a certificate of arrears filed by an administrative agency.	PDF
Appeal of Administrative Order and Request for Hearing De Novo	This packet can be used to request a hearing to appeal an administrative order for child support.	PDF
Motion and Judgment Dismissing Action	This packet may be used to ask the court to dismiss an action.	PDF
Motion and Order to Set Aside Dismissal	This packet is to be used by a petitioner in an original Dissolution, or other family law case, who wants to reinstate a Petition that was dismissed by the court because the Petition was not served, the defendant was not defaulted, or other appropriate action was not taken within a reasonable period of time.	PDF
Motion and Order for Continuance	This packet can be used by a petitioner in a Dissolution, or other family law case, who wants to ask for more time when a case is in jeopardy of being dismissed by the court because the petitioner has been unable to serve the respondent, pay the fees, or complete the appropriate action in the time required by court rule. This packet cannot be used if a response has been filed or the case is set for trial.	PDF
Motion and Order to Set Aside Judgment	This packet is to be used by a respondent in an original Dissolution, or other family law case, who wants to request that a Judgment entered by default be set aside based on the grounds of mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct of an adverse party.	PDF
Motion to Change Mode of Appearance	This packet may be used when a party would like to request a change in the mode of appearance of the party or a witness from one mode of appearance to another (ie. in person to remote or vice versa).	PDF
Instructions for Delegation of Parental/Guardian Powers	This packet provides information about Guardianship and Power of Attorney and includes Power of Attorney forms.	PDF
Support for a Child Attending School	This packet can be used by a parent of a child who is 18, 19, or 20 years old who is unmarried and attending continued education schooling to request child support for that child.	PDF

Family and Children

Family Court Assistance Office

Contact Info

Location

Hours

Parenting Education Class

Domestic Relations Status Check Hearings

How do I appear for the hearing?

How do I prepare for the hearing?

Who will be at the hearing?

What happens at the hearing?

Discovery Documents

Resolving your case

Settlement Conference

Trial

Divorce and Custody Trial Brochure

Important Resources

Relevant Forms

Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) Forms

Legal Separation Forms

Unmarried Parents Forms

Existing Order Modification Forms

Existing Order Enforcement Forms

Temporary Court Order Forms

Miscellaneous Forms