Salem Family Law at a Glance
| Detail | Salem (Marion County) |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court | Marion County Circuit Court |
| Address | 100 High Street NE, Salem, OR 97301 |
| Filing Fee | $287 (ORS 21.155) |
| 2024 Divorce Filings | 1,138 (Oregon Health Authority) |
| Oregon Divorce Rate | 2.8 per 1,000 residents |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Oregon, or married in Oregon |
Why Salem Families Work With Regele Law
Regele Law is a Salem-based family law firm at 1415 Commercial St SE, one block from the Marion County Courthouse. Founding attorney Stacy Regele has practiced exclusively family law since her 2016 Oregon Bar admission and has been named an Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Star every year from 2021 through 2026, a distinction given to fewer than 2.5% of eligible Oregon attorneys. The firm maintains a 4.9-star Google review average across 100+ clients.
Salem is the state capital and the seat of Marion County. Family law cases for Salem residents, including those in Sunnyslope, McNary Estates, Four Corners, and the South Salem hills, are filed at the Marion County Circuit Court on High Street, two minutes from our office on foot.
Family Law Services in Salem
- Divorce in Salem – Uncontested, contested, high-asset, and cooperative. Marion County filed 1,138 divorce petitions in 2024.
- Child Custody and Parenting Time – Oregon courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child. Read how Oregon custody cases work first.
- Spousal Support – Oregon recognizes transitional, compensatory, and maintenance support. The right category matters. See the full spousal support overview.
- Property Division – Oregon is an equitable-distribution state, not community property. Read the property division attorney page and our FAQs.
- Fathers’ Rights – Oregon law does not presume mothers get custody. See fathers’ rights.
- Order Modification – Changed jobs, moved, or need to revisit a parenting plan. See family law order modification.
- Estate Planning – Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate. Led by associate attorney Joseph Crouch.
How Divorce Works in Marion County
Oregon is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing to file for dissolution. You (or your spouse) must have lived in Oregon for at least six months, unless you were married in Oregon, in which case the residency clock begins immediately on filing.
- File a Petition for Dissolution at the Marion County Circuit Court, 100 High Street NE. Fee: $287. You can file in person, by mail (P.O. Box 12869, Salem, OR 97309), or through OJD eFile.
- Serve your spouse. Formal service is required. A signed acceptance works if your spouse is cooperating.
- Temporary orders. The court can set interim custody, support, and housing arrangements while the case is pending.
- Mediation. Marion County requires mediation in most custody disputes before a judge will schedule a trial.
- Settlement or trial. Over 90% of cases settle. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, because that is how you get a settlement worth accepting.
Meet Your Salem Family Law Attorneys
Stacy Regele – J.D., Willamette University College of Law, 2016. Practices exclusively family law. Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2021-2026. Avvo 9.1 “Superb.” Handles divorce, custody, spousal support, property division, and modifications.
Joseph Crouch – J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2022. Former judicial clerk to the Hon. Josephine H. Mooney, Oregon Court of Appeals. Leads prenup, postnup, and estate planning practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I file for divorce if I live in Salem?
At the Marion County Circuit Court, 100 High Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. The $287 filing fee is set by ORS 21.155. If you live in West Salem (which is technically Polk County), your case files in Dallas instead. See our West Salem page for that walkthrough.
Does Oregon require separation before divorce?
No. Oregon has no mandatory separation period or cooling-off period before a judgment can be entered. An uncontested divorce can wrap in roughly 90 days after filing.
Will I have to go to court?
Usually not for a hearing. Most Salem divorces settle through negotiation and paperwork. If there are contested custody or asset issues, a brief hearing may be required. Full trials are relatively rare.
What is Salem’s divorce filing fee?
$287 for a Petition for Dissolution, per ORS 21.155, as of 2026. Additional fees may apply for service and certified copies.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation
Call 503-396-4996 or request a consultation online. Regele Law is located at 1415 Commercial St SE, Salem, one block from the Marion County Courthouse. We will explain your options plainly and tell you honestly what your case looks like from the start.