What Happens After I File For Divorce in Portland? 

After a spouse files for divorce, the divorce case officially begins. However, the filing spouse must serve the other spouse with the filed Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Summons so that the other spouse has notice of the filing. The spouse who receives the petition and summons is called the respondent. The respondent has thirty days from being served the petition and summons to respond to the filing spouse's petition. The filing spouse is known as the petitioner. If the respondent fails to answer with thirty days, the petitioner may ask the court to enter an Order of Default, which gives the petitioner what they asked for in the petition.

In responding to the petition, the respondent can contest the divorce or deny the petitioner's allegation in the petition. The respondent may also have claims or claims of their own to bring forth in the divorce case. If so, the respondent may make a counterclaim against the respondent. Many divorce cases go trial if the parties cannot agree on the terms of the divorce. In Portland courts, spouses are required to have mediation to resolve disputes and concerns in divorce cases. Suppose the issue can be resolved at mediation. In that case, the case can go to a court hearing or trial where the court decides issues such as spousal and child support, child custody and visitation, and property distribution.