Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 107.036 (2026)

Doctrines of fault and in pari delicto abolished; evidence and consideration of fault

✓ current as of May 2026
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      107.036 Doctrines of fault and in pari delicto abolished; evidence and consideration of fault. (1) The doctrines of fault and of in pari delicto are abolished in suits for the annulment or dissolution of a marriage or for separation.

      (2) The court shall not receive evidence of specific acts of misconduct, excepting where child custody is an issue and such evidence is relevant to that issue, or excepting at a hearing when the court finds such evidence necessary to prove irreconcilable differences.

      (3) In dividing, awarding and distributing the real and personal property (or both) of the parties (or either of them) between the parties, or in making such property or any of it subject to a trust, and in fixing the amount and duration of the contribution one party is to make to the support of the other, the court shall not consider the fault, if any, of either of the parties in causing grounds for the annulment or dissolution of the marriage or for separation.

      (4) Where satisfactory proof of grounds for the annulment or dissolution of a marriage or for separation has been made, the court shall render a judgment for the annulment or dissolution of the marriage or for separation. A judgment of separation shall state the duration of the separation. [1971 c.280 §10; 1973 c.502 §2; 2003 c.576 §105]

 

      107.040 [Amended by 1965 c.388 §1; repealed by 1971 c.280 §28]

 

      107.045 [1957 c.444 §1; 1965 c.603 §1; repealed by 1971 c.280 §28]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases, 1973–2012 · leading case: In Re the Marriage of Haguewood, 638 P.2d 1135 (Or. 1981).
In Re the Marriage of Haguewood, 638 P.2d 1135 (Or. 1981). · cites it 2× “Indeed, it is often difficult to determine which party prevails in a dissolution suit.”
In Re the Dissolution of the Marriage of Vann, 544 P.2d 175 (Or. Ct. App. 1976). · cites it 2× “" ORS 107.036(1) and (2). The Oregon Criminal Code of 1971 (ORS 161.”
In Re the Dissolution of the Marriage of Kitson, 523 P.2d 575 (Or. Ct. App. 1974). “105 (1) (c) provides that a dissolution decree can require “the support of a party * * * for such period of time as may be just and equitable for the other party to contribute.”
Bernadette Charles v. Albert Mansfield Charles, 788 F.2d 960 (3rd Cir. 1986). “1982) ("without regard to which of the parties is in fault”); Or.Rev.Stat. § 107.036(3) (1979) ("The court shall not consider the fault, if any, of either of the parties.”
Hoyt v. Am. Traders, Inc., 725 P.2d 336 (Or. 1986). “It cannot be questioned that because of the no-fault provisions of ORS 107.036, rare is the dissolution case in which a decree of dissolution is not granted.”
Morgan v. Morgan, 507 P.2d 409 (Or. Ct. App. 1973). · cites it 2× “Morgan, would be awarded the divorce, while under the new statute, ORS 107.036(4), the court would merely declare the marriage dissolved.”
Matter of Marriage of Waterman, 974 P.2d 256 (Or. Ct. App. 1999). “ORS 107.036(3); Koch and Koch, 58 Or App 252, 255 , 648 P2d 406 (1982).”
In re the Dissolution of the Marriage of Wirthlin, 527 P.2d 147 (Or. Ct. App. 1974). “” ORS 107.036. Unfortunately, more often than not this is impossible.”
Cookson v. Cookson, 895 P.2d 345 (Or. Ct. App. 1995). “Such evidence is barred by ORS 107.036(2), which provides: “The court shall not receive evidence of specific acts of misconduct, excepting where child custody is an issue and such evidence is relevant to that issue, or excepting at a hearing when the court finds such evidence…”
In Re the Marriage of Berry, 271 P.3d 128 (Or. Ct. App. 2012). “025 (describing grounds on which “[a] judgment for the dissolution of a marriage or a permanent or unlimited separation may be rendered”); ORS 107.036(4) (“Where satisfactory proof of grounds for the annulment or dissolution of a marriage or for separation has been made, the…”
In Re the Dissolution of the Marriage of Dunn, 511 P.2d 427 (Or. Ct. App. 1973). “* * *” The term “irreconcilable differences55 is not defined in the Oregon act.”
In re the Marriage of Lewis, 723 P.2d 1079 (Or. Ct. App. 1986). “Husband also argues that the court violated ORS 107.036 when it divided the property of the parties and determined support by considering the “fault” of husband in having an extramarital relationship.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 107.036(1) — 1 case
In Re the Dissolution of the Marriage of Vann, 544 P.2d 175 (Or. Ct. App. 1976). “" ORS 107.036(1) and (2). The Oregon Criminal Code of 1971 (ORS 161.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 107.036(2) — 1 case
Cookson v. Cookson, 895 P.2d 345 (Or. Ct. App. 1995). “Such evidence is barred by ORS 107.036(2), which provides: “The court shall not receive evidence of specific acts of misconduct, excepting where child custody is an issue and such evidence is relevant to that issue, or excepting at a hearing when the court finds such evidence…”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 107.036(3) — 2 cases
Bernadette Charles v. Albert Mansfield Charles, 788 F.2d 960 (3rd Cir. 1986). “1982) ("without regard to which of the parties is in fault”); Or.Rev.Stat. § 107.036(3) (1979) ("The court shall not consider the fault, if any, of either of the parties.”
Matter of Marriage of Waterman, 974 P.2d 256 (Or. Ct. App. 1999). “ORS 107.036(3); Koch and Koch, 58 Or App 252, 255 , 648 P2d 406 (1982).”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 107.036(4) — 2 cases
Morgan v. Morgan, 507 P.2d 409 (Or. Ct. App. 1973). “Morgan, would be awarded the divorce, while under the new statute, ORS 107.036(4), the court would merely declare the marriage dissolved.”
In Re the Marriage of Berry, 271 P.3d 128 (Or. Ct. App. 2012). “025 (describing grounds on which “[a] judgment for the dissolution of a marriage or a permanent or unlimited separation may be rendered”); ORS 107.036(4) (“Where satisfactory proof of grounds for the annulment or dissolution of a marriage or for separation has been made, the…”
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