Oregon Divorce Checklist for Uncontested Cases

Start with the basic Oregon eligibility rules

Before you gather forms, confirm that you can file in Oregon. In most cases, at least one spouse must have lived in Oregon for six months before filing. That residency rule appears in ORS 107.075.

Oregon is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove misconduct to end the marriage. Oregon law allows dissolution based on irreconcilable differences that caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage under ORS 107.025.

You also need to file in the right county circuit court. Many people file in the Oregon county where either spouse lives. Checking venue and residency first helps you avoid delays before the case even starts.

Gather the core information for your divorce papers

A strong checklist starts with basic identifying information for both spouses. Collect full legal names, current addresses, contact details, dates of birth, date of marriage, and the county and state where the marriage took place. You should also confirm whether either spouse has used another legal name.

Next, gather the facts needed for the petition and related OJD forms. That usually includes the date of separation, whether either spouse is pregnant, and whether there are minor children of the marriage. Small errors in these details can create problems when the court reviews your paperwork.

If you want an uncontested divorce, make sure both spouses agree on the major terms before filing. That includes property division, debt allocation, parenting time, decision-making, support, and any name change request. Clear agreement at the start usually makes the rest of the checklist much easier.

Make a complete list of property, debts, income, and expenses

Even in a simple case, Oregon courts expect clear financial information. Make a list of all real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, businesses, personal property, and other assets either spouse owns or claims. Include anything owned jointly and anything either spouse believes is separate.

Do the same for debts. List mortgages, car loans, credit cards, tax debt, medical bills, personal loans, and any other balances. Note the current amount owed, whose name is on the account, and who will be responsible after the divorce.

You should also gather proof of income and recurring expenses. Pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements, child care costs, health insurance costs, and monthly household expenses often matter, especially if children are involved. Organized records help you complete forms accurately and reduce back-and-forth later.

If you have children, prepare a parenting plan and support information

If you share minor children, your checklist needs to be more detailed. Oregon courts require a parenting plan in cases involving custody or parenting time. ORS 107.102 requires the plan to address parenting time and a method for resolving disputes.

A workable parenting plan usually covers the regular weekly schedule, holidays, school breaks, transportation, and communication. It should also state how parents will handle schedule changes and who will make day-to-day decisions when the children are in each parent’s care. The more specific the plan is, the easier it is to follow.

Child support is a separate issue from parenting time. Oregon uses statewide child support guidelines, and support usually depends on each parent’s income, parenting time, health insurance, child care costs, and other allowed factors. If your case includes children, gather those numbers early so the support terms match the Oregon Child Support Guidelines.

Also check whether Oregon has authority to make custody decisions. If a child recently lived in another state, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act may control which state can enter custody orders. In Oregon, those rules begin at ORS 109.701.

Choose the terms you want in the final judgment

An uncontested case moves more smoothly when the proposed judgment matches the couple’s agreement. Decide who will keep each asset, who will pay each debt, and whether either spouse will refinance, sell, transfer, or close accounts by a certain date. Specific deadlines make the judgment easier to enforce and follow.

If one spouse wants to restore a former name, include that request in the paperwork. Decide whether either spouse will pay spousal support and, if so, the amount and duration. In some uncontested cases, the parties agree that neither spouse will receive support.

If children are involved, make sure the judgment lines up with the parenting plan and child support terms. The final documents should say who has legal custody, set out parenting time, and include support obligations clearly. Consistency across the forms helps the court sign the judgment without correction requests.

Review the filing packet before you submit it

Before filing, review every form as a set. Oregon circuit courts often require a petition, summons, and judgment forms, along with additional documents depending on whether the case includes children. Many people use Oregon Judicial Department forms as the starting point for an uncontested case.

Check names, dates, addresses, and children’s information carefully. Make sure the requests in the petition match the terms in the proposed judgment. If one form says a debt will be divided one way and another form says something different, the court may reject the packet or require revisions.

You should also confirm service and procedural requirements for your situation. Even in an uncontested case, the other spouse usually must sign, accept service, or otherwise be brought into the case properly under Oregon procedure. A careful final review can save weeks of delay.

Use this practical Oregon divorce checklist

Before you start, confirm Oregon residency, the correct county, and that the case is truly uncontested. Gather personal details, marriage information, and any prior family law case numbers if they exist. If children are involved, collect the children’s addresses for the last five years and details about any other custody cases, which often matter under the UCCJEA.

Next, organize your financial records. Prepare a full list of assets, debts, income, expenses, insurance, and retirement accounts. If you have children, complete a detailed parenting plan and gather the information needed to calculate support under Oregon’s guidelines.

Finally, review the relief you are asking the court to grant. Make sure your requested property division, debt terms, support terms, parenting plan, and name change request all appear consistently in the filing packet and proposed judgment. A complete checklist will not eliminate every question, but it will make an Oregon uncontested divorce much more efficient.