Oregon Bankruptcy Law
Bankruptcy Courts in Oregon
If you live in Oregon and are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, your case will be handled in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon, which has two main locations:
- Portland
- Eugene
You will file your case in the court office that covers your county of residence or the county where your main property or business is located.
All cases follow federal bankruptcy law, but the Oregon bankruptcy court also has its own local rules and procedures that supplement those laws. Court decisions by the bankruptcy court in Oregon are guided and reviewed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which also covers California, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii, and several territories.
Where You File Depends on Where You Live
Oregon has one federal bankruptcy district with two locations. The court office in which you file your case depends on the county where you live or the county where your main property or business is located.
Portland Office Counties
Benton • Clackamas • Clatsop • Columbia • Hood River • Lincoln • Linn • Marion • Multnomah • Polk • Tillamook • Washington • Yamhill
Eugene Office Counties
Baker • Coos • Crook • Curry • Deschutes • Douglas • Gilliam • Grant • Harney • Jackson • Jefferson • Josephine • Klamath • Lake • Lane • Malheur • Morrow • Sherman • Umatilla • Union • Wallowa • Wasco • Wheeler
If you’re unsure which court office covers your county, a bankruptcy attorney can confirm the correct filing location.
Bankruptcy Filing Trends in Oregon
Thousands of Oregon residents file for bankruptcy each year. Filings tend to be highest in the Portland metropolitan area, followed by the Willamette Valley and southern Oregon. Chapter 7 cases, which allow individuals to eliminate unsecured debts such as credit cards and medical bills, are the most common, followed by Chapter 13 repayment plans that help homeowners and wage earners keep property while catching up on overdue payments.
Oregon Exemptions — What You Can Keep
Bankruptcy doesn’t mean losing everything you own. Exemption laws protect property that you need to live and work, such as your home, car, household goods, and retirement funds. Exempt property is protected by law and cannot be taken or sold to pay creditors.
Oregon allows filers to choose between state and federal exemptions. A married couple filing jointly may each claim the full amount of every exemption in property they jointly own. Choosing to use state or federal exemptions depends on your circumstances, so speaking with an attorney can help you decide which option provides greater protection.
Common Oregon State Exemptions
| Type of Property | Amount You Can Protect (Individual / Joint) |
|---|---|
| Homestead (urban or rural) | $154,200 / $308,400 |
| Mobile home or manufactured home used as residence | $154,200 / $308,400 |
| Motor vehicle | $10,000 / $20,000 |
| Household goods, furnishings, and appliances | $3,000 / $3,000 |
| Books, pictures, musical instruments | $600 / $1,200 |
| Clothing, jewelry, personal items | $1,800 / $3,600 |
| Animals and poultry, plus feed for 60 days | $1,000 / $1,000 |
| Tools of trade, books, equipment, or farm implements | $5,000 / $10,000 |
| Wildcard (any personal property) | $400 / $800 |
| Personal injury compensation | $10,000 / $20,000 |
| Loss of future earnings | Amount reasonably necessary for support |
| Health aids | 100% |
| Veterans’ benefits | 100% |
| Earned income tax credit | 100% |
| Medical or health savings accounts | 100% |
| Retirement accounts / pension plans | 100% for qualified plans |
| Deposit accounts traceable to exempt funds | $7,500 / $15,000 |
| Bank account (general) | $2,600 / $5,200 |
| Firearms (one rifle or shotgun and one pistol) | $1,000 / $2,000 |
| Workers’ compensation | 100% |
| Unemployment compensation | 100% (with support-related limitations) |
| Life insurance proceeds | Often 100%, depending on beneficiary and policy type |
Common Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions
| Type of Property | Amount You Can Protect (Individual / Joint) |
|---|---|
| Homestead (primary residence) | $120,000 / $240,000 |
| Household furniture and appliances | $3,500 / $7,000 |
| Fuel and provisions | $400 / $800 |
| Books and library materials | $800 / $1,600 |
| Motor vehicle (one) | $10,000 / $20,000 |
| Jewelry | $500 / $1,000 |
| Tools of trade | $5,000 / $10,000 |
| Wildcard (any property) | $1,000 plus up to $7,000 of unused allowances |
| Retirement accounts | 100 % |
| Insurance proceeds for exempt property | $5,000 / $10,000 |
| Wages | Up to 50× the federal minimum hourly wage per week |
| Public assistance, unemployment, workers’ comp | 100 % |
Choosing between state or federal exemptions can significantly affect what property you can keep. A bankruptcy attorney can help determine which option best protects your home, car, and personal assets.
Steps and Local Requirements
Credit counseling. Before filing, you must complete a short credit counselling course from an approved provider. After filing, you must complete a debtor education course to receive a discharge.
Means test. To qualify for Chapter 7, your income must be below Oregon’s median or pass a means-test calculation based on your expenses.
Filing fees. The filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. If you can’t pay all at once, you can request to pay in installments or apply for a waiver.
Meeting of Creditors. About 30 days after filing, you will attend a brief “341 meeting.” This meeting is not held before a judge. A bankruptcy trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your finances and paperwork.
In Oregon, meetings are typically held virtually, or in person in Portland or Eugene.
Local rules and forms. The District of Oregon requires strict compliance with its local rules and local form requirements. These are available on the court’s website.
What This Means for You
Filing for bankruptcy in Oregon can immediately stop wage garnishments, creditor lawsuits, foreclosure activity, and vehicle repossessions. Most filers keep their homes, vehicles, personal belongings, and retirement accounts.
Because Oregon allows the use of either state or federal exemptions, and because each set protects different types of property, it’s important to work with a bankruptcy attorney before filing.
A bankruptcy attorney can help you:
- Decide between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
- Choose exemptions that best protect your property
- Complete credit-counseling and education requirements
- File all documents correctly under Oregon’s local rules
With the right guidance, bankruptcy can provide meaningful relief and a path toward long-term financial stability.
