How many custody & visitation resources are in Oregon?

Women's Corner tracks 16 custody & visitation resources for women in Oregon.

Are custody & visitation resources in Oregon free?

15 of the 16 listed custody & visitation resources in Oregon are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Oregon have custody & visitation resources?

Listings span cities including Portland, Eugene, Salem, Tigard.

What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in Oregon?

Featured entries include Oregon Judicial Department — Family Law Self-Help, Legal Aid Services of Oregon — Family Law, Oregon Law Center — Family Law, Multnomah County Family Court Self-Help, Lane County Family Court — Self-Help.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

8 of 16 Oregon custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.

Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?

No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.

How does the court decide who gets custody?

Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.

What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?

Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.

Can I get sole custody?

Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.

Best Custody & Visitation in Oregon — 16 resources

About Custody & Visitation for Women

Custody and visitation cases for women are handled in state and county family courts under each state's 'best interest of the child' standard. Mothers seeking sole, joint, or primary physical custody can use free self-help centers inside most courthouses to file petitions, parenting plans, and modification requests without an attorney. The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Women's Law Project track state-by-state custody trends, and organizations like the Battered Mothers Custody Conference advocate where abuse intersects with custody. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county family law facilitators, women-focused family law firms, and maternal advocacy organizations.

Custody & Visitation in Oregon

Oregon circuit courts handle family law in each of its 27 judicial districts. The Division of Child Support operates under the Department of Justice. Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro are the largest metros. Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

16 Resources

1. Oregon Judicial Department — Family Law Self-Help — Free

Official court forms and resources for custody, parenting time, and family law filings for mothers and women across Oregon. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Available online 24/7.

503-986-5500 · Statewide Online Resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Legal Aid Services of Oregon — Family Law — Free

Free legal help with custody and family law for low-income women statewide. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

503-224-4086 · 921 SW Washington St Suite 500, Portland, OR 97205 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Oregon Law Center — Family Law — Free

Free family law representation for qualifying low-income women in Portland. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

503-473-8321 · 522 SW 5th Ave Suite 812, Portland, OR 97204 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Multnomah County Family Court Self-Help — Free

Free walk-in help with custody forms and family law filings in Portland for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4pm.

503-988-3957 · 1021 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97204 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

5. Lane County Family Court — Self-Help — Free

Family court resources for custody cases in the Eugene area for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

541-682-4024 · 125 E 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Marion County Family Court — Free

Family court services for custody and parenting time in Salem for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

503-588-5105 · 100 High St NE, Salem, OR 97301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Oregon State Bar — Lawyer Referral

Connects women with family law attorneys for consultations in Tigard. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

503-684-3763 · 16037 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd, Tigard, OR 97224 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Oregon Family Court Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation for resolving custody and parenting time disputes for mothers and women across Oregon. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

503-986-5500 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. WomensLaw.org — Custody Information — Free

Free online legal resource written specifically for women in plain, accessible language by attorneys. Covers custody, protective orders, divorce, and survivor rights in every state. Available 24/7 at womenslaw.org. Includes an email hotline for confidential legal questions.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. ABA Family Law Section — Find a Lawyer — Free

American Bar Association family law section with a searchable attorney directory and free public resources on custody, divorce, and child support at americanbar.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Federal Office of Child Support Services — Free

Federal Office of Child Support Services coordinates state programs and provides a directory of every state agency at acf.hhs.gov/css for opening or enforcing cases.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. USA.gov — Child Custody and Support — Free

Official US government portal for child custody and support information with clear explanations and direct links to every state agency. Available 24/7 at usa.gov without registration.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. ChildWelfare.gov — Custody Resources — Free

Federal child welfare information gateway providing research-backed custody resources, kinship care guidance, and parenting plan templates. Free at childwelfare.gov.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges — Free

NCJFCJ — research, training, and resources on family court including custody best practices for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Available online 24/7 at ncjfcj.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Cornell Legal Information Institute — Family Law — Free

Free legal reference database maintained by Cornell Law School covering custody, divorce, and family law topics with statutes, case summaries, and plain-language explanations.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. FindLaw — Child Custody — Free

Free public legal information on child custody, modifications, relocation rules, and enforcement written in plain language by legal editors covering every state.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many custody & visitation resources are in Oregon?: Women's Corner tracks 16 custody & visitation resources for women in Oregon.
Are custody & visitation resources in Oregon free?: 15 of the 16 listed custody & visitation resources in Oregon are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Oregon have custody & visitation resources?: Listings span cities including Portland, Eugene, Salem, Tigard.
What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in Oregon?: Featured entries include Oregon Judicial Department — Family Law Self-Help, Legal Aid Services of Oregon — Family Law, Oregon Law Center — Family Law, Multnomah County Family Court Self-Help, Lane County Family Court — Self-Help.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 8 of 16 Oregon custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.
Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?: No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.
How does the court decide who gets custody?: Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.
What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?: Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.
Can I get sole custody?: Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.