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How-to · Courts & legal

Answer an Oregon debt-collection lawsuit outside small claims

Use Oregon’s Debt Collection Answer packet when a debt summons and complaint does not say “Small Claims.”

Steps

2 steps
  1. Complete an honest answer within 30 daysThe answer must reach the court within 30 days from the day you received the complaint.
  2. File and send a copy to the other sideMake two additional copies. File with the circuit court named in the complaint and pay the fee or request a waiver or deferral. Mail a copy to the plaintiff’s lawyer, or the plaintiff without a lawyer, and complete the mailing certificate.
  • How-to

    Apply for a court-appointed lawyer in Oregon

    Courts & legal
    1. Use the statewide application formStatewide forms from the Forms Center are accepted in all circuit courts.
    2. List income, assets, expenses and debtsGive amounts for yourself and your spouse or registered domestic partner combined.
    3. Sign the declarationYou declare that your statements are true to the best of your knowledge and belief.
    BringDate of birthMonthly income amountsEmployer names and addresses
    CostYou may be ordered to pay part of the cost, based on your ability to pay
    Oregon Judicial Department
  • How-to

    Ask an Oregon court to waive or defer a civil filing fee

    Courts & legal
    1. Complete the application and proposed orderFill out the Application for Deferral or Waiver of Fees and Declaration in Support and the Order. On the Order, do not mark anything below “The court finds Applicant:”.
    2. Match the case headingUse the same party names and case number as your case papers. A deferral delays payment; it does not waive the fee.
    Oregon Judicial Department
  • How-to

    Ask the court to enforce a custody or parenting order

    Courts & legal
    1. Choose the right enforcement packetMatch your situation: parenting time, withheld custody, or registering an out-of-state order.
    2. Register an out-of-state order firstIf the order came from another state, register and confirm it in an Oregon court.
    3. Use the parenting-time packetFor a valid order setting parenting time that the other parent is violating.
    + 2 more steps in the full guide
    BringYour current signed order or judgment
    Oregon Judicial Department541-682-4020