How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Oregon in 2026?
How much does a divorce cost in Oregon? If you file it yourself and agree, it costs about $350 to $550. With a lawyer on a simple case, it runs $1,500 to $3,500. A contested divorce costs $10,000 to $30,000 or more. The filing fee is a flat $301 statewide.
The cost of divorce in Oregon depends on one big thing. That thing is whether you and your spouse agree. Oregon helps here, because there is no waiting period and no separation rule. Nothing slows an agreed case down but the paperwork.
This guide breaks down the Oregon filing fee and the cost by type. It also shows how to keep your divorce affordable. Every number here is a 2026 number. The real total depends on your path and your lawyer.
Quick Answer: Oregon Divorce Costs at a Glance
Here is the average cost of divorce in Oregon in 2026, at a glance. The filing fee is the same in every county. The total depends on your path, not just the fee. An agreed divorce stays low, while a court fight climbs fast.
| Cost factor | Oregon (2026) |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $301 flat, every county |
| Uncontested total (DIY) | $350 to $550 |
| Average with a lawyer | $4,000 to $11,000 |
| Contested divorce | $10,000 to $30,000 or more |
| Typical timeline | No waiting period; about 1 to 3 months agreed, 6 to 12 months or more contested |
Filing Fees and Court Costs in Oregon
The Oregon divorce filing fee is a flat $301. It is set by state law and is the same in every county. Most states vary by county, but Oregon does not, which makes budgeting simple. This is a first appearance fee, and the responding spouse also pays $301 when they file a Response.
Oregon calls a divorce a “dissolution of marriage,” which just means the legal end of the marriage. The case begins with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Circuit Court. Spouses who agree can file together, which skips service and the cost that comes with it.
Service has rules in Oregon. You may not hand the papers to your spouse yourself. Sheriff or private service costs about $50 to $100, and the respondent has 30 days to file a Response.
You may be able to skip the fee. Low-income filers can file an Application for Deferral or Waiver of Fees. The judge can waive or defer the cost. The state also offers free forms and Family Law Facilitators, who help self-filers at the courthouse for free. You can find these on the official Oregon Judicial Department website, and you can see our guide to divorce filing fees by state.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Oregon by Type?
How much a divorce costs in Oregon depends on the type you choose. A simple agreed case costs far less than a court fight. The table below shows the typical total for each path. Your path is set by how much you agree.
| Divorce type | Typical total cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| DIY uncontested (file yourself) | $350 to $550 |
| Uncontested with a lawyer | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Mediated divorce | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Contested divorce | $10,000 to $30,000 or more |
An uncontested divorce in Oregon that you file yourself is the lowest option. If you file together, you pay close to the filing fee. The average cost of divorce in Oregon climbs once a lawyer or a court fight is involved. Many uncontested divorces stay near the filing cost, and you can see our uncontested divorce guide.
What Affects the Cost of Divorce in Oregon
A few things affect the cost of divorce in Oregon. Conflict is the biggest one by far. The only ground is irreconcilable differences, which means the marriage cannot be fixed. Oregon is pure no-fault, so nobody has to prove wrongdoing.
Oregon also has a shortcut called summary dissolution, a simplified no-hearing path. You qualify only if all of these are true. You have been married 10 years or less, with no minor children and no pregnancy. You own no real estate, your marital debts are $15,000 or less, your personal property is worth less than $30,000, and you give up any claim to spousal support.
Children add time and cost. Most counties require a parent education class when minor children are involved, even in agreed cases. That class often sets the real timeline. Custody and parenting time disputes usually go to mediation first.
Property and location finish the list. Oregon uses equitable distribution, which means a just and proper split, not an automatic 50/50. The law presumes both spouses contributed equally, and it is not a community property state. Portland-area lawyers charge the most.
How to Keep Divorce Costs Down in Oregon
You can keep the cost of divorce in Oregon low. The biggest saving comes from filing together and agreeing. A few simple moves make a real difference. Here are the best ones.
- File as co-petitioners. When you file together, you skip service and finish fastest. A co-petitioner is a spouse who files jointly rather than being served.
- Check summary dissolution. If you qualify, this simplified path is the cheapest and quickest route.
- Use the free court help. Use the free forms and a Family Law Facilitator at the courthouse.
- Sign a settlement agreement first. When you settle everything, there is nothing to fight over.
- Use mediation instead of a trial. A mediator settles disputes for a few thousand dollars.
- Apply for the fee waiver. If your income is low, ask the court to waive or defer the fee.
These steps add up to a cheap divorce in Oregon. For more ways to save, read our cheap divorce guide. Free help is available at Oregon Law Help.
Oregon Divorce Filing Steps (Summary)
Filing for divorce in Oregon follows a clear path. It is simplest when your case is agreed. Here are the main steps in order.
- Meet the residency rule. If you married outside Oregon, one spouse needs 6 months of Oregon residence.
- Choose your path. Use summary dissolution if you qualify, or file together as co-petitioners if you agree.
- File and pay the fee. File the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and pay the $301 fee. Or file the fee waiver application.
- Handle service. Serve your spouse, who has 30 days to respond. Or file together to skip service.
- Settle the terms. Swap financial disclosures. Settle property, support, and custody in writing.
- Finish the class. Complete the parent education class if you have minor children.
- Finalize the divorce. The judge signs the General Judgment of Dissolution, and the divorce is final.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Bottom Line
How much a divorce costs in Oregon ranges from $350 for an agreed DIY case to $30,000 or more for a court fight. The filing fee is a flat $301 statewide. A signed settlement agreement is the biggest cost lever you control. Agree with your spouse, and with no waiting period, your case can finish fast.
To estimate your own number, try our divorce cost calculator. You can also read our pillar guide on how much a divorce costs.
