How to Collect Your Judgment in Oregon

A Oregon judgment is enforceable for 10 years, and can be renewed before it expires. Judgment remedies for a civil money judgment in circuit court expire 10 years after entry (ORS 18.180). They may be extended for an additional 10 years by filing a Certificate of Extension before the expiration of the existing 10-year period (ORS 18.182); extensions can be repeated. (Justice/municipal court judgments expire 10 years under ORS 18.194, extendable.) Support judgments have far longer lifespans (child support 35 yr, spousal support 25 yr).

Yes. Garnishment in Oregon can reach 25% of disposable wages, OR the amount by which disposable earnings for the period exceed the protected minimum, whichever is less. Minimum protected amount is $254/week (with higher figures for longer pay periods), per ORS 18.385.. Exemptions: 75% of disposable earnings exempt plus the $254/week floor; Social Security, SSI, unemployment, workers' comp, veterans benefits, public assistance, and pensions are exempt (debtor uses the Challenge to Garnishment and Notice of Exemptions forms to assert).

Through Debtor examination (Order for Appearance / examination of judgment debtor) — the court orders the debtor to appear and disclose their assets under oath. After judgment, the creditor moves for an order requiring the debtor to appear before the court or a court-appointed referee and answer under oath about property and income (ORS 18.265). The court may order turnover of non-exempt property disclosed at the examination.

A money judgment entered in the County Clerk Lien Record (circuit court money awards are automatically entered) becomes a lien on the debtor's real property in that county from the date of entry (ORS 18.150). To create a lien in another county, the creditor records a certified copy / files a lien record in that county (ORS 18.152). The lien lasts 10 years.

You pay the court and sheriff their own filing/levy fees directly (usually modest, and recoverable from the debtor). Our Judgment Collection service is a flat $299 — we prepare your Oregon-specific enforcement forms and a step-by-step filing playbook; you file them. Compared with collection firms that take 33–50% of what they recover, that's hundreds to thousands less on a typical judgment.

Some debtors are "judgment-proof" — no job, no bank account, no equity — and no tool can squeeze money that isn't there. The honest play is the debtor's exam to confirm what exists, then keep the judgment alive (it lasts 10 years and is renewable) and try again when their situation changes. We give you the tools, not a guaranteed payout.