Bankruptcy in Oregon

$158,300 in equity for one debtor; $316,700 combined when two or more members of the same household are debtors (for example, a married couple filing together). This covers a home that is the actual residence of you or your spouse, parent or child. Land limit: one city block in a town or city laid out in blocks and lots, or 160 acres elsewhere.

Amounts in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; they are adjusted every July 1 for inflation. The exemption applies automatically, without filing a claim. Temporary absence with intent to return does not end it, and an absence, removal or sale is protected for one year. Proceeds from selling the home stay exempt for up to one year if you intend to buy another home with them. Lower amounts ($40,000 single / $50,000 combined) apply against child support, spousal support and restitution debts.

Law: ORS 18.395; ORS 18.402

$31,575

Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(1)

$10,000 in one vehicle (car, truck, trailer or other motor vehicle) per debtor; $3,000 against child support, spousal support or restitution debts. Joint debtors in a household can each claim it, and can combine it for a jointly owned vehicle.

Law: ORS 18.345(1)(d), (3)

$5,025

Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(2)

Household goods, furniture, radios, a TV and utensils up to $3,000 total, plus 60 days of food and fuel. Clothing, jewelry and other personal items up to $1,800. Books, pictures and musical instruments up to $600. Domestic animals and poultry for family use up to $1,000. Firearms (one rifle or shotgun and one pistol) up to $1,000. Prescribed health aids are fully exempt. Joint debtors can each claim the clothing/jewelry, books and wildcard amounts.

Law: ORS 18.345(1)(a), (b), (e), (f), (h), (3); ORS 18.362

Household goods: $800 per item, $16,850 total

Jewelry for personal or family use: $2,125

Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(3); 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(4)

$400 in any personal property, per debtor; it cannot be used to add to another exemption

Law: ORS 18.345(1)(p)

$1,675 plus up to $15,800 of any unused part of the (d)(1) homestead amount

Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(5)

$5,000 in tools, implements, apparatus or library you need to earn your usual living

Law: ORS 18.345(1)(c)

$3,175

Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(6)

75% of disposable earnings is exempt, and at least $400 a week (for wages payable July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) is always protected.

Law: ORS 18.385(1)-(2)

Pension and profit-sharing plans (401(a), 401(k), 403, 457), IRAs and Roth IRAs, and government and other employment pensions are treated as spendthrift trusts and are exempt without a claim. Contributions above legal limits can be challenged as voidable transfers.

Law: ORS 18.358

No dollar limit (IRAs are capped under 522(n))

Money in traditional and Roth IRAs is protected up to $1,711,975 in total.

Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(12); 11 U.S.C. 522(n); 90 FR 8941

Unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, public assistance and veterans' benefits are exempt, and they stay exempt in a bank account as long as they can be identified.

Law: ORS 18.345(1)(m); ORS 18.348(1) (listing ORS 411.760, 656.234, 657.855)

Your right to receive Social Security, unemployment, public assistance, veterans' and disability benefits; alimony and support you reasonably need; and certain pension or annuity payments you reasonably need: No dollar limit (some only as much as you reasonably need)

Your right to certain payments: crime victim awards, wrongful-death and life-insurance payments for someone you depended on, personal bodily injury payments (not pain and suffering or actual money losses), and payments for lost future earnings: Crime-victim awards: no limit. Personal injury payment: up to $31,575. Others: as much as you reasonably need

Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(10); 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(11)

• Federal earned income tax credit money, and money from the Oregon tax credit under ORS 315.273, are exempt.
• Health savings accounts and medical savings accounts are exempt.
• Personal injury payments up to $10,000, crime victim awards, and loss of future earnings payments needed for support are exempt.
• Spousal support, child support and separate maintenance, to the extent reasonably necessary for your and your dependents' support.

Law: ORS 18.345(1)(n), (q); ORS 18.345(1)(o); ORS 18.345(1)(j)-(L); ORS 18.345(1)(i)

An unmatured life insurance policy you own (not credit life insurance): No dollar limit

Cash value of life insurance: $16,850

Health aids prescribed by a professional for you or a dependent: No dollar limit

Law: 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(7); 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(8); 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(9)