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How-to · Courts & legal

Respond to an Oregon small-claims lawsuit

Respond to an Oregon small-claims lawsuit within 30 calendar days after service to avoid a possible default judgment.

Steps

2 steps
  1. Choose and complete your responseUse the Defendant’s Response form. You may deny the claim and counterclaim together, but mark only payment if you pay the claim.
  2. File with the correct court and feeReturn the signed form to the court where the claim was filed within 30 calendar days after service. If you cannot pay, apply for fee deferral or waiver.
  • 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
  • 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