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In Oregon, the courts grant custody of the child to one or both parents. The court considers the needs and best interests of the child when making this decision. Oregon law requires that the court give both parents reasonable access to the child and their records (ORS 107.137). In most cases, the court will grant joint custody, where both parents have a say in decisions related to the child’s upbringing.
Child support is a payment made by one parent (known as the “obligor”) to the other parent (known as the “obligee”) to help with the costs of raising a child. Oregon courts generally order the obligor to pay the obligee a certain amount of money each month, based on a formula in Oregon law (ORS 107.085). The court’s support order may change, depending on the situation.
Oregon law allows co-parenting couples to share the expenses of raising the child. The court may order the obligor to pay some of these expenses, such as daycare and medical expenses. The court may also require the parents to equally share uninsured medical expenses, educational expenses, and non-covered medical expenses (ORS 107.425).
In Oregon, the court may grant both parents the right to make decisions about the child’s education, medical care and welfare (ORS 107.137). The court may also grant sole decision-making authority to one parent, with the other parent kept informed. If one parent makes a decision that is not in the best interest of the child, the other parent can petition the court to modify the decision-making authority.
Parents in Oregon can create a parenting plan, which is a legally-binding document that outlines how the parents will behave toward each other and toward the children. A parenting plan can include details of how to handle communication, disagreements, holidays, and visitation. Oregon courts may require parents to work with a mediator to create a parenting plan (ORS 107.146).
The court may grant each parent visitation rights, including specific days and times for visits with the child. The court may also grant visitation rights to extended family members and other people who have a significant relationship with the child. The parenting plan should spell out the exact details of visitation (ORS 107.349). In Oregon, the court may deny visitation if it is not in the best interest of the child (ORS 107.355).
The Oregon courts may order the parents to mediate any disputes related to the parent-child relationship. Mediation is a confidential process in which a neutral third party meets with both parents to help them reach an agreement on contentious issues. Mediation is often less costly and faster than filing a motion with the court. Oregon courts generally prefer that parents attempt to mediate their differences before resorting to court action (ORS 107.096).
Co-parenting in Oregon is complex, but with the right information, parents can work together to ensure their children have a healthy and supportive relationship with both parents. It is important that parents understand the laws in Oregon, including custody, child support, co-parenting expenses, parental rights, decision- making, parenting plans, visitation rights, and mediation. With this understanding, co-parenting in Oregon can be a positive and successful experience.
Warning: This post is neither financial, health, legal, or personal advice nor a substitute for the advice offered by a professional. These are serious matters, and the help of a professional is recommended as it can impact your future.