How to File for Bankruptcy in Portland, Oregon
- 1). Verify that your debts are dischargeable. Bankruptcy does not affect some kinds of debts, including debt to the IRS, federally-guaranteed student loan debt, fines for criminal offenses, and even some civil suits arising from malicious intent.
- 2). Gather documents. Use Bankruptcy Form B-200, a checklist published by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, as a guide to the documents and records you must produce. You can download this form from the Resources section on this page. You will need to show your income, expenses, a personal cash flow statement, and a list of all creditors and debts owed, as well as a consolidated list of all your assets.
- 3). Select an appropriate chapter under which to file. Chapter 7 provides for the near-total liquidation of assets for individuals and small business. Chapter 11 governs reorganization bankruptcies for small businesses and certain individual cases with very large amounts of debt. Chapter 12 governs bankruptcy for farmers and fishermen. Chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcy primarily for individuals. In a reorganization bankruptcy, the debtor pays off his debts under a payment plan under court supervision.
- 4). Enroll in mandatory credit management training. Oregon requires its residents to complete an approved course in credit management training prior to filing for bankruptcy. You can download a list of approved agencies from the link in the Resources.
- 5). Download Form B-100, available in the Resources. This is a consolidated list of all filing requirements and fees for different classes of bankruptcy. Plan on paying a filing fee of at least $299 for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and much more for other chapters. Complete the required documents carefully. Form B-100 contains hyperlinks to the specific forms required for your situation.
- 6). File your forms and fee with the appropriate Clerk of the Court. If you live in Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion or Polk county, file at the Eugene office, or mail your forms to: 405 E. 8th Ave. #2600, Eugene, OR 97401. If you reside anywhere else in Oregon, file at 1001 SW 5th Ave., Suite #700, Portland, OR 97204.
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