Skip to content
How-to · Courts & legal

Challenge a consumer-debt garnishment in Oregon court

For consumer debts, you can challenge garnishment of protected money or excessive amounts in Oregon court.

Steps

3 steps
  1. Get the form and act before the deadlineUse the Challenge to Garnishment form provided with the notice, or ask the court or creditor for it. The guide gives 120 days for wage garnishment and 30 days for bank-account garnishment.
  2. Explain the protected funds and attach redacted proofState how much is protected and why; attach supporting benefit statements, pay stubs or bank records. Redact account numbers, Social Security numbers and other sensitive information.
  3. File and send a copy to the creditorFile in the court named on the garnishment notice and send a copy to the garnishor or its lawyer by mail or hand delivery unless written agreement permits email.

More courts & legal how-tos

  • How-to

    Answer an Oregon debt-collection lawsuit outside small claims

    Courts & legal
    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.
    Oregon Judicial Department
    Full guideOfficial page
  • 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
    Full guideOfficial page
  • 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
    Full guideOfficial page