How to get supervised visitation in Oregon
In Oregon, a judge orders supervised parenting time as part of a custody and parenting time case, or as a condition in a restraining order. The order can name a professional or a non professional supervisor.
Step by step
- Find out which case applies New cases use a petition. Unmarried parents use the unmarried parents packet, which asks the court to set custody, parenting time and child support. Paternity must be established first. If you already have a judgment, you ask for changes with a motion.
- Use the state's form packets Oregon Judicial Department has packets for unmarried parents (Petition, Response, Co-party Petition) and for modifications (Motion Requesting Modification, Response to a Modification Request). Forms can be filled out online or by hand.
- Ask for what you need Custody decisions weigh the best interests of the child. ORS 107.137 says abuse of one parent by the other is a factor, and sets a rebuttable presumption against custody for a parent who committed abuse as defined in the statute. In your request, describe supervision, who supervises, the schedule and who pays.
- Ask for temporary orders if needed After you file a petition or a motion, either parent can ask for temporary orders. These include temporary custody where children face immediate danger, or a temporary parenting arrangement while the case is pending.
- Emergency protection through a restraining order Under ORS 107.718, the court holds an ex parte hearing on the day a restraining order petition is filed or the next judicial day. The order can require supervised parenting time by another person or agency. The other person has 30 days after service to request a hearing.
- Mediation and parent education Some counties require mediation before a hearing on custody or parenting time. Mediators can change the process if you feel unsafe. Oregon says parents in all counties must take classes as part of custody and parenting time cases.
- Respond to the other side's filings For modification requests, the other parent must respond in writing by the deadline in the Order to Show Cause, usually 30 days, and may need to go to a hearing.
- After the order, arrange supervision The court's Supervised Parenting Time Model Order and Court Expectations are given to the supervisor and attached to the order. For a professional, contact providers directly to ask about rates and openings.
Forms
- Unmarried Parents forms: Petition, Response and Co-party Petition packets to set custody, parenting time and child support.
- Modification forms: Motion Requesting Modification, Response, and military deployment packets.
- Enforcement forms: Parenting Time Enforcement, Enforcement of Custody, and out of state registration packets.
- Protective Orders forms: Links to Family Abuse Prevention Act restraining order and other protective order forms.
- Supervised Parenting Time Model Order and Court Expectations: Model order and expectations for non professional supervisors.
Good to know
- Orders can require the parent who committed abuse to pay some or all supervision costs under ORS 107.718.
- Oregon says mediation cannot be used to negotiate the protective terms of a Family Abuse Prevention Act restraining order.
- Status quo orders can stop parents from changing schedules or moving children while a case is pending. They are based on the three months before you file.
- Oregon offers a non professional supervisor option through a model order for families who cannot find or afford a professional.
- Forms for restraining orders come as online interview iForms and paper forms, in English and several other languages. Forms must be translated into English before filing.