This process usually takes 30-120 days, but may be longer or sooner depending on your family's needs.

In many counties in Oregon, the court requires the parents to try to work out a plan with a neutral third party called a mediator. Only then, if the parents cannot agree, the court will decide issues of custody and parenting time. Also, in most Oregon counties, both parents must attend a court-ordered parenting class.

The court orders a flat percentage of 25% of the non-custodial parent's income to be paid in child support to the custodial parent.

In both Washington and Oregon, a child can only choose which parent they'd like to live with when they turn 18 or are otherwise emancipated. Minor children are not considered capable of making such decisions for themselves and are not permitted to “choose” living with one parent over another.

There is no specific age at which a child can decide to refuse to visit with a parent or change custody arrangements without the court's approval.

Factors a Judge Will Consider The emotional ties between the child and other family members. The interest of the parents in and attitude toward the child. The desirability of continuing an existing relationship. The abuse of one parent by the other.

The decision varies with the facts of each case. To admit such evidence, the court must decide that the child's preference also reflects the child's best interests. There is no hard and fast rule about how old a child has to be before a judge can consider what the child wants.