You have been sued for a debt in Oregon. The clock is ticking. You are worried about your wages, your bank account, and your credit score. That is normal.
But you can fight this. You do not need a law degree to protect your rights. You just need to file the right paperwork before the deadline passes. If you do nothing, you lose automatically. If you file an Answer, you give yourself a fighting chance.
Here is how to respond to a debt lawsuit in Oregon, step by step.
[Get Your Court-Ready Oregon Answer in 15 Minutes]
1. Know Your Deadline
Time is your most important asset right now. If you miss this deadline, the court can grant a “default judgment” against you. This allows the debt collector to garnish your wages or seize property without asking you again.
Your deadline depends on which court handles your case:
- Circuit Court (Civil Cases): You have 30 days from the day you were served.
- Small Claims Court: You have 14 days from the day you were served.
Do not wait until the last day. Filing takes time.
2. The “Answer” Document
You cannot simply call the court to object. You must file a written legal document called an Answer.
This document tells the court two things:
- You acknowledge the lawsuit.
- You dispute the debt (or parts of it).
Writing an Answer from scratch is risky. Legal language is precise. One mistake can hurt your case.
Pro Tip: Avoid generic online templates that do not match Oregon’s specific formatting rules. Courts can reject paperwork that looks wrong.
3. Oregon Filing Fees
Oregon courts charge a fee to file your Answer. It feels unfair to pay money just to say you don’t owe money. However, the court requires it.
The fee depends on the “amount in controversy” (how much they are suing you for). Based on the 2025 fee schedule, expect to pay roughly:
- Small Claims (under $2,500): ~$57
- Small Claims ($2,500 – $10,000): ~$102
- Circuit Court (under $10,000): ~$170
- Circuit Court ($10,000 – $50,000): ~$283
Note: If you cannot afford these fees, ask the court clerk for a “Fee Waiver Application.” If you qualify, the court may waive the cost.
4. Steps to File Your Answer
Step 1: Respond to the Allegations
Read the “Complaint” document sent to you. It contains numbered paragraphs listing the claims against you. In your Answer, you must reply to each paragraph with one of three responses:
- Admit: “This is true.”
- Deny: “This is not true.” (This forces them to prove it).
- Deny for Lack of Knowledge: “I don’t know if this is true.”
Step 2: Assert Affirmative Defenses
This is your shield. An “affirmative defense” is a legal reason why you should not win, even if the facts are true. If you do not list these now, you cannot use them later.
Common Oregon defenses include:
- Statute of Limitations: The debt is too old to be sued over.
- Identity Theft: The debt belongs to someone else.
- Lack of Standing: The debt collector cannot prove they own the debt.
Step 3: File and Serve
Once your Answer is written and signed:
- File it with the court clerk (either in person, by mail, or via Oregon’s eFile system).
- Pay the filing fee.
- Serve the plaintiff. You must mail a copy of your Answer to the debt collector’s attorney.
Get It Done Today
The hardest part is starting. Once you file your Answer, the harassment stops and the legal process pauses while the court reviews your case. You regain control.
Don’t risk a default judgment. Build your defense now.