Last updated: July 14, 2026
Bottom line
Oregon has free and lower-cost legal help, but there is no single legal program just for single mothers. The right starting point depends on whether your problem involves custody, child support, safety, eviction, public benefits, work, immigration, debt, or a criminal charge.
Start with Oregon Law Help for plain-language information and a county-based legal directory. You can also use the Legal Aid office finder to locate the civil legal-aid program serving your county.
Help may include information, brief advice, form review, a clinic, or representation. Offices may screen income, location, case type, deadlines, conflicts, and staff capacity.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own case, contact a licensed Oregon lawyer or qualified legal service.
For help with other needs, see ASMOM’s Oregon help page and the national legal and safety guide.
If you need urgent help
Some legal problems move quickly. Do not wait for a perfect plan if you have a court date, eviction case, benefit cutoff, protection-order hearing, or immediate safety concern.
- Immediate danger: Call 911 when it is safe to do so.
- Domestic violence or stalking: Use the Oregon advocate directory to find a local confidential program. Services are free, but shelter space and local services can vary.
- Eviction court papers: Call the Eviction Defense Project at 888-585-9638 before your first appearance. Have your case number and hearing date ready.
- Food, shelter, or bill crisis: Call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898211 for local referrals.
- Benefits problem: Call the Public Benefits Hotline at 800-520-5292 during its posted hours.
If someone may be checking your phone, computer, location, or accounts, use a safer device when possible and ask an advocate how to reach help safely. ASMOM’s Oregon safety guide has more careful starting points.
Where to start
Write down the problem, office or court name, and next deadline. Then choose the closest path below.
You need civil legal aid
Use Oregon Law Help or the Legal Aid county finder. Say any court, eviction, or appeal deadline first.
You need court forms
Use Oregon court forms, Guide & File, or a family-law facilitator. Court staff can explain process but cannot advise you.
You need protection
Contact a local advocate and review the Oregon court protection-order options before filing when safety is a concern.
You face criminal charges
Civil legal aid usually does not handle criminal defense. Ask the court how to apply for appointed counsel.
Quick reference
| Problem | Best first contact | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Custody, divorce, or parenting time | Family-law facilitator and legal aid. | Form help is not the same as having a lawyer. |
| Child support | Oregon Child Support Program. | The program is not your private attorney. |
| Abuse, stalking, or sexual violence | Local advocate and Oregon court forms. | A protection order cannot promise safety. |
| Eviction court case | Eviction Defense Project. | You must still follow the court papers. |
| SNAP, TANF, or OHP denial | Agency appeal process and benefits hotline. | Deadlines depend on the notice and program. |
| Wages or discrimination | Oregon BOLI. | Keep records and act before deadlines pass. |
| Immigration question | Qualified immigration legal provider. | Avoid anyone who promises a result. |
Free and low-cost civil legal help
Legal Aid and Oregon Law Center
Legal Aid Services of Oregon and Oregon Law Center help low-income residents with selected civil problems, including housing, benefits, safety, employment, and consumer issues. Services vary by office.
Use the legal help directory to search by county, legal issue, and type of help. If an office cannot take your case, ask whether it can provide a referral, a self-help resource, or brief advice.
Oregon State Bar referrals
If you do not qualify for legal aid, the Oregon State Bar lawyer referral service can match you with a private lawyer. A first meeting of up to 30 minutes costs no more than $50.
The Modest Means Program connects some moderate-income residents with lawyers who charge reduced fees. The initial consultation costs no more than $35, and later work has reduced hourly rates. Eligibility depends on income, assets, case type, and lawyer availability.
Ask what help you are getting
Ask whether the service is general information, brief advice, form review, limited-scope help, or full representation. Do not assume a lawyer will appear in court unless the lawyer has clearly agreed.
Court forms, facilitators, and filing fees
Oregon courts provide free online tools for people without lawyers. OJD Guide & File can create forms for some family, protection-order, eviction, small-claims, and name-change matters. The tool is free, but a court filing fee may still apply. Restraining-order filings do not have a filing fee.
All Oregon circuit courts offer free family-law facilitation. The facilitator directory lists county programs. Facilitators explain forms and procedure but cannot advise you or predict a ruling.
If you cannot afford a court fee, use the statewide fee waiver forms. A waiver means the approved fee does not have to be paid. A deferral means payment is delayed and may still be owed later.
Call before going
Facilitator schedules and appointment rules vary by county. Ask whether help is in person, by phone, or by video and whether forms must be partly completed first.
Custody, parenting time, divorce, and child support
Oregon family cases may involve custody, parenting time, divorce, parentage, and support. Use Oregon forms and local rules. Seek legal advice before filing when abuse, relocation, child safety, or an out-of-state order is involved.
Oregon Child Support Program
The Oregon Child Support Program can help establish parentage, create or change support orders, arrange health coverage, collect payments, and work on some interstate cases. Use the official child support enrollment page or call 800-850-0228.
If sharing your address or contact information may create danger, tell the caseworker. The program’s child support safety guide explains contact addresses and other safety steps. Safety needs can be updated after a case begins.
ASMOM’s Oregon child support guide can help you organize questions before contacting the state program.
| Family-law need | Where to start | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| New custody case | Court facilitator or legal aid. | Which forms and county rules apply? |
| Change an order | Family-law forms and legal advice. | What facts and service steps are required? |
| Open child support | Child Support Program. | What records help establish parentage and income? |
| Safety concern | Advocate, legal aid, and caseworker. | How can contact information be protected? |
Domestic violence, stalking, and protection orders
Oregon offers several protective orders, including family-abuse, stalking, sexual-abuse, and certain disability-related orders. The correct form depends on the facts and relationship.
Use the court’s protection order forms and contact a local advocate for support. An advocate may help explain local filing, court accompaniment, shelter, or safety-related services. Advocates are not always lawyers.
The Oregon Department of Justice victim compensation program may help eligible victims with some crime-related costs not paid elsewhere. It is not general cash aid.
The Address Confidentiality Program provides a legal substitute address for some survivors. A person must apply through a certified application assistant.
Safety comes before paperwork
A court order can set legal limits, but it cannot guarantee that another person will follow them. Ask an advocate about safer filing, court attendance, child exchanges, and communication.
ASMOM’s national domestic violence guide explains shelter, legal, and family-safety paths.
Eviction, rent, repairs, and housing rights
If your landlord has filed an eviction case, contact the Eviction Defense Project before the first appearance. It provides free legal help to eligible low-income tenants statewide. Multnomah County tenants may sometimes get help after receiving a termination notice and before a court case is filed.
Call 888-585-9638 and give your name, case number, and summons date. Show up to court and follow the instructions on your papers unless the court or your lawyer tells you otherwise. Applying for rent help does not automatically stop the case.
For repair disputes, deposits, discrimination, subsidized housing, or a notice that has not reached court, use Oregon Law Help or your county legal-aid office. Save the lease, notices, rent receipts, photos, repair requests, messages, and court papers.
ASMOM’s Oregon housing guide covers rental assistance and emergency housing while you work on the legal problem.
SNAP, TANF, child care, and OHP appeals
If Oregon denies, reduces, closes, or delays benefits, read the full notice for the reason, effective date, appeal steps, and deadline. ODHS benefit questions can be directed to 800-699-9075.
The Public Benefits Hotline gives eligible callers brief advice and referrals for SNAP, TANF, OHP, unemployment, disability, and other benefits. Jackson County uses a different local provider.
Oregon Health Plan service denials
For a service denial from a coordinated care organization, the CCO generally must receive the appeal within 60 days of the Notice of Adverse Benefit Determination. If the CCO keeps the denial, a hearing request is generally due within 120 days of the Notice of Appeal Resolution.
If Oregon Health Authority directly denies a service, the hearing request is generally due within 60 days of its denial notice. The official OHP appeal guide also explains when a person may request continued services or a faster review. Follow the current notice because eligibility and service appeals can use different steps.
Do not guess the deadline
Appeal deadlines and continued-benefit rules depend on the program and notice. Submit the request through an official method and keep a dated copy, confirmation, fax receipt, or screenshot.
ASMOM’s benefits problem guide explains how to organize notices and follow up. For health coverage options, see Oregon health help.
Wages, discrimination, pregnancy, and safe leave
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries handles many complaints about unpaid wages, breaks, sick time, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Use the official BOLI complaint page or call 971-245-3844 with questions.
Oregon protects workers from pregnancy discrimination and requires covered employers to provide reasonable pregnancy-related accommodations. Survivors may also have workplace protections.
Paid safe leave may provide benefits for eligible workers dealing with domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, stalking, or related safety needs. Job protection and benefit eligibility depend on the worker’s situation and program rules.
Keep pay stubs, schedules, time records, emails, texts, policies, leave requests, and the names of witnesses. Employment deadlines vary, so contact BOLI or a lawyer promptly.
ASMOM’s workplace rights guide explains federal starting points and questions to ask.
Immigration, bias, disability, and criminal cases
Immigration legal services
Immigration law changes quickly. Oregon’s immigration legal directory lists licensed and accredited nonprofit providers offering free or lower-cost help.
Catholic Charities legal services offers lower-cost consultations and representation in Oregon and southwest Washington. Intake capacity and case types can change. Avoid a notario or document preparer who claims to be a lawyer or promises approval.
Bias and discrimination support
The Oregon Department of Justice Bias Response Hotline provides support, information, and referrals after a bias incident. It does not investigate reports or replace police when someone wants a possible crime investigated.
Disability access
Ask the court, legal office, or agency for an interpreter, communication aid, remote option, or reasonable accommodation if needed. ASMOM’s disability help guide covers related support for parents and children.
Criminal charges
Civil legal-aid programs normally do not defend criminal charges. If you cannot afford a criminal lawyer, ask the court how to apply for appointed counsel. The Public Defense Commission oversees Oregon’s public-defense system, but the court handles appointment in an individual case.
Documents to gather
Gather what you can and explain if something is lost, withheld, or unsafe to access.
| What to gather | Why it may matter |
|---|---|
| Court papers and envelopes | Shows the case number, hearing, and notice date. |
| Agency decision letters | Shows the reason and appeal instructions. |
| Photo ID and safe contact details | Helps complete intake and protect communication. |
| Income and benefit records | Legal aid and fee waivers may screen finances. |
| Current court orders | Shows custody, support, or protection terms. |
| Lease and payment records | Helps with rent, deposit, repair, or eviction issues. |
| Work records | Helps explain wages, leave, or retaliation. |
| Messages, photos, and a timeline | Helps a lawyer understand events and possible proof. |
Use ASMOM’s documents checklist to prepare one folder. Keep originals unless a court or agency clearly requires them.
If help is denied or delayed
An office may say no because of income, location, case type, conflicts, or limited staff. Ask why and request another option.
- Legal aid cannot take the case: Ask for Oregon Law Help, a court facilitator, the bar referral service, or the Modest Means Program.
- You cannot pay a court fee: Ask about a fee waiver or deferral before missing the filing deadline.
- An agency has not answered: Keep call dates, names, emails, screenshots, fax receipts, and upload confirmations.
- A benefits office made an error: Request the reason in writing and use the appeal process on the notice.
- You need a disability or language accommodation: Ask the court or agency in advance and keep a copy of the request.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting after papers arrive. Court and appeal deadlines can be short.
- Using another state’s forms. Use Oregon court forms and local rules.
- Assuming a clinic represents you. Confirm the exact scope of help.
- Missing court while seeking aid. Keep following the court notice unless told otherwise by the court or your lawyer.
- Posting case details online. Messages and posts may affect privacy, safety, or evidence.
- Paying an unqualified immigration helper. Verify legal credentials and services.
- Ignoring address safety. Tell advocates, child-support staff, and lawyers if sharing contact information could create danger.
Backup options
If no lawyer can take the full case, combine court forms, facilitator help, brief advice, mediation, and reduced-fee or limited-scope services.
Legal problems often come with rent, utility, food, child care, or transport problems. ASMOM’s Oregon emergency guide, Oregon utility guide, and Oregon community guide may help lower pressure while a case is pending.
Phone scripts
Calling legal aid
“I live in [county] and need help with [issue]. I have a court date or deadline on [date]. Can you screen me for services, and where should I call if your office cannot take the case?”
Calling the court
“I am representing myself in a [case type] case. Can you tell me where to find the correct Oregon forms, whether a facilitator can review them, and how to request a fee waiver?”
Calling child support
“I need help [opening, changing, or enforcing] child support. What application or records do I need? I also need to discuss a safety concern before contact information is shared.”
Calling about benefits
“I received a notice dated [date] about [program]. It says my benefits will be [denied, reduced, or closed]. What appeal process and deadline apply, and how can I keep proof of my request?”
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda legal civil en Oregon, empiece con Oregon Law Help, la oficina de ayuda legal de su condado o un facilitador de la corte. Diga primero si tiene una fecha de corte, desalojo o apelación.
Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911 cuando sea seguro. Para violencia doméstica, acecho o abuso sexual, contacte un programa local de apoyo. Guarde copias de cartas, papeles de la corte, avisos de beneficios, órdenes, contrato de renta y comprobantes de ingresos. Esta guía no es consejo legal.
FAQ
Can single mothers get a free lawyer in Oregon?
Some low-income parents qualify for free civil legal help. Services depend on income, county, case type, deadlines, conflicts of interest, and available staff.
Where can I get Oregon court forms?
Use Oregon Judicial Department forms or Guide & File. A family-law facilitator can explain forms and process but cannot give legal advice.
Who helps with child support in Oregon?
The Oregon Child Support Program can help with parentage, support orders, changes, health coverage, collection, and some interstate cases.
Who helps tenants facing eviction?
The Eviction Defense Project helps eligible low-income tenants statewide after an eviction court case is filed. Call before the first appearance and keep following the court papers.
How do I appeal an OHP service denial?
Follow the notice. A CCO appeal is generally due within 60 days. A later OHA hearing request is generally due within 120 days of the CCO appeal decision.
Can I get help with a restraining order?
Yes. Oregon courts provide protection-order forms, and local advocacy programs may help with information, court support, shelter, and safety-related services.
Is immigration legal help available?
Yes. Oregon has nonprofit and accredited legal providers. Use the state immigration legal directory and avoid anyone who promises approval or falsely claims to be a lawyer.
Is this article legal advice?
No. It gives general information and verified starting points. It does not replace advice from a licensed Oregon attorney about your case.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 14, 2026, next review October 14, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.