Q: What does a family law lawyer do? What is "Oregon family law?"

A: “Oregon Family law” is an umbrella term that refers to the practice of law that involves common domestic and family issues. While it is often associated with Oregon divorce, "family law" covers far more. Common family law issues include child custody, parenting time (visitation), step-parent adoptions, spousal support, child support, restraining orders and stalking orders, prenuptial agreement, grandparent rights, and far more.

Modern families come in all sizes and arrangments, and the term "family law" simply refers to the practice of law that helps those families within the Oregon court system.

Is it worth getting a lawyer for my Oregon stalking order case?

This question is standard, though completely subjective and fact-specific. Obtaining a stalking order does not require a lawyer, and it is usually secured without an attorney. However, if the matter goes to a hearing, while it is certainly possible for people to handle the stalking order hearing independently, it is probably not a great idea. In addition to being held to rules of procedure and evidence, the untrained person likely will not know which aspects of the law should require the most focus. Because judges are bound to follow the law, if you don't present the correct information, they may have no choice under the law to make a ruling that is adverse to your goals.

Oregon stalking orders have significant consequences, so having an experienced Oregon stalking order lawyer help you is almost certainly in your best interest.

What is a stalking order in Oregon?

A Stalking Protective Order (SPO) is an Oregon court order which instructs a person who has made repeated, unwanted contact with you or your family to stop the behavior. Several requirements that govern the stalker's conduct apply, so it is not as simple as deciding that actions are "unwanted contact" to qualify for purposes of a stalking order.

What qualifies as "stalking" in Oregon?

Oregon law has specific requirements to have a Stalking Protective Order (SPO) granted by the court. Fundamentally, you or a member of your immediate family (or household) must have been contacted by a person more than once in the past two years with the following requirements to qualify as stalking.

• More than once means at least two separate contacts
• The repeated and unwanted contact must be is alarming (frightening) or coercive (using force) to you
• It must be reasonable for you to feel alarmed or coerced (i.e. not the mailman waving hello when he or she delivers mail)
• The unwanted contacts cause you to reasonably fear for your physical safety or the physical safety of your family or members of your household.

How long does an Oregon stalking order last?

Once a hearing has occurred, and a judge has upheld an Oregon Stalking Protective Order, it has no natural end (it is permanent). However, the Respondent (the person prohibited from stalking) can file a request with the court to modify or terminate the stalking order later. If this happens, there would be another hearing on the matter where both sides would present evidence. Before this happens, you would be served with the legal paperwork and be given notice so that you have an opportunity to prepare for the hearing.