What is the Average Cost of Divorce in Oregon?

Divorce is emotionally taxing, often complicated, and expensive. If you’re facing a divorce in Oregon, you’re likely wondering, “What is the average cost of divorce in Oregon?” 

There are many factors to determine the cost of a divorce in Oregon. 

Let’s start with the basics. The average divorce court filing fees in Oregon are around $550. 

It’s the first expense, but there are many more expenses lurking in your future.

Attorney Fees: The Big Ticket Item

Most people end-up hiring an attorney, and here’s where things get pricey. A good (not the best) divorce attorney in Oregon charges at least $400 per hour. On average, you might be looking at $10,000 to $15,000 (each, not total) for a straightforward, amicable divorce. But if your case is either more complex or involves disputes over property, children, or spousal support, you could be staring down the barrel of a $40,000 – $50,000 bill (each, not total). In case you didn’t catch it, those costs are for EACH party, not total costs.

Mediation is a smarter and more graceful way to handle your divorce. Divorce mediation isn’t only a more amicable way to end a marriage, divorce mediation is also much more cost-effective.

In mediation, a neutral mediator helps both parties come to an agreement. Mediation costs in Oregon can range from $6,000 to $20,000 (total, not each), which is significantly less than the cost of hiring attorneys and going to court. 

Mediation isn’t just cheaper; it’s also more amicable. When you choose mediation, you’re choosing a process that requires cooperation. This is especially important if you have children and will need to learn cooperation to effectively co-parent after the divorce.

Mediation allows you to work through issues at your own pace, without the pressure of court deadlines. It also gives you more control over the outcome. Instead of having a judge make decisions for you, you and your spouse can come to mutually agreeable solutions.

Overall, mediation costs less, is quicker, allows you to be in control of your outcome, and the goal is that you won’t feel awkward at your kids’ graduations and weddings.

Custody Evaluations

If you and your spouse can’t agree on custody arrangements, you may need to hire a custody evaluation. The average cost for a custody evaluation in Oregon is between $3,000 and $6,000, depending on the evaluator and the specifics of your case.

Parenting Coordination

If you and your spouse cannot agree on how to parent your children and essentially need a referee to help guide the co-parenting relationship, then you need a parenting coordinator. The average cost for most parenting coordinators in oregon is between $200 – $450 per hour.

Financial Experts

Divorces involving significant assets might require financial experts to appraise property, value businesses or pensions, divide retirement accounts with specialized orders, or conduct a forensic accounting. These experts can charge between $200 and $500 per hour, and their total fees can easily reach into the tens of thousands.

Counseling and Therapy

Divorce is not just a legal process; it’s an emotional one. Many people find therapy helpful during this time. Therapy sessions in Oregon typically cost between $100 and $200 per hour. While this is an additional expense, it can be invaluable for your mental health.

Even within the traditional divorce process, there are ways to keep costs down:

1. Be Organized: Gather all necessary documents before meeting with your attorney or mediator.
2. Communicate Clearly: Be honest and direct with your attorney or mediator about your goals and concerns.
3. Stay Amicable: The more you and your spouse can agree on, the less you’ll need to rely on the expensive legal interventions discussed above.
4. Reduce Attorney Fees. Hire an attorney-mediator to handle your divorce

If you and your spouse don’t have any assets or liabilities, and if there are no children or spousal support involved, then you may consider using divorce forms in Oregon as a way to reduce divorce costs. Click here for a list of Oregon attorneys who help people with divorce forms. If you have assets, liabilities, kids, or require spousal support, then you really need to hire a professional to help you navigate what you don’t know. There is so much you don’t know that you don’t know.

Let’s put the numbers side by side.

• Litigation Costs: $20,000 – $100,000+ (total costs)
• Mediation Costs: $6,000 – $20,000 (total costs)

It’s clear that mediation offers a significant cost saving. But beyond the dollars, mediation often results in less emotional strain and better long-term relationships post-divorce.

In Oregon, anyone can slap the title “divorce mediator” or “certified divorce mediator” on a website without any formal training, education, or licensing requirements. Last week, I found a person in the Salem area who was a fitness instructor during covid and is now a “certified divorce mediator.” My eyes couldn’t roll farther into my head. That said…

There are significant differences between attorney-mediators and divorce mediators that will likely impact your divorce process.

Attorney-Mediators

1. Professional Expertise: Attorney-mediators have extensive legal knowledge and are licensed to practice law in their state. This ensures that all legal aspects of your divorce are correctly addressed and that any agreements are legally binding. You are paying thousands of dollars; you want to make sure you are creating a legally binding contract.
2. Errors and Omissions Insurance: Attorney-mediators are required to carry errors and omissions insurance, which provides an additional layer of protection for clients. This insurance protects you from potential mistakes or oversights during the mediation process.
3. Court Filings: Attorney-mediators can handle all court filings related to your divorce. This means you don’t have to hire a separate attorney to manage the legal paperwork, simplifying the process and potentially saving you money. It also means if the court clerk decides to reject the paperwork or the judge has forgotten about your case, the attorney handles that for you.

“Certified Divorce Mediators”

1. “Certified”: Being a “certified divorce mediator” simply means that person paid a company for the right to call themselves “certified” through their company. It means nothing. Frankly, it’s a dangerous label because it gives the appearance of meaning educated and qualified, when, in fact, it means nothing.  
2. Lack of Formal Training: Divorce mediators may not have any formal legal training or qualifications. This lack of expertise can lead to incomplete or incorrect handling of legal issues.
3. Additional Costs: Since divorce mediators cannot file divorce documents with the court, you’ll need to hire an attorney separately to manage this aspect of the process. This adds another layer of cost and complexity to your divorce (that they gloss over in their initial consults).
4. Limited Legal Protection: Divorce mediators are not required to carry errors and omissions insurance, which means there’s no protection for you if mistakes are made during the mediation process.
5. They don’t know what they don’t know. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard horror stories of “certified divorce mediators” in Oregon not knowing basic divorce law. Because they don’t know what they don’t know, they lack the ability to spot potential problems and advise you accordingly. You might as well file the forms yourself and save yourself the money.

At Mediation Northwest, we specialize in helping couples navigate an Oregon divorce without the drama. We do it in a transparent manner where every couple is educated as to what options exist for their situation, informed about the advantages and disadvantages to each party for each option, and then you get to make decisions about what is fair for your family. And… we do it all without breaking the bank. How can we do it for so much less than a traditional divorce? After 25 years, we’ve learned a few tricks to keep couples on track and help them get to “yes.” 

No one wants to get a divorce, but if you need a divorce, and can trust the other party to make decisions with you, then mediation is the best path to save money and not hate each other in the end. My goal is to help you reach an agreement that works for both parties, without the high costs of a traditional divorce in Oregon.

Divorce in Oregon doesn’t have to break the bank. By understanding the various costs involved and exploring alternatives like mediation, you can make informed decisions that save you money and reduce stress. If you find yourself needing a divorce in Oregon, schedule a consultation below and we will help you find the best process for you… even if it isn’t with us.