How long does it take to get a divorce?

The amount of time that it takes to get a divorce in Oregon varies widely, depending on several factors. To better estimate the amount of time that it will take a divorce to become final, it helps to understand the divorce process.

The first step to filing for an Oregon divorce is filing a petition for dissolution of marriage and to serve that document to the other party. Typically, this can happen quickly, especially if the filing party is working with an attorney, as the attorney will take care of serving the other party. Once the document is filed and served, the parties may decide to engage in the mediation process to see if they can work out any of the issues that will need to be resolved. These issues include:

• Division of property
• Determining child custody
• Awarding child support and determining parenting time
• Awarding spousal support

After mediation is complete, or if the parties decide not to use a mediator, the court will then need to resolve the remaining issues. If, at a later point, the parties can agree to some of these issues, this will speed up the process. However, the court will likely need to conduct hearings to resolve all disputed issues. The amount of time this takes depends on the court’s schedule, however, some courts require a divorce be completed within one year of the filing of the petition. Of course, not every court employs this rule, and some Oregon divorces can take significantly longer. Generally speaking, divorces involving a significant amount of assets take longer.

Of course, if a party is seeking a divorce based on domestic abuse or out of fear for their safety, they should first call the police and then reach out to a dedicated Oregon divorce attorney as soon as possible to expedite the process as much as possible.