If you file for bankruptcy in Oregon, you can protect some or all of your property with Oregon’s bankruptcy exemptions. Read on to learn about the property you'll be able to exempt (keep) in Oregon.

For a general overview of bankruptcy exemptions, visit the Bankruptcy Exemption topic page.

Oregon Residents May Use the Federal Exemptions

Oregon residents can choose to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions instead of the Oregon exemptions; however, you cannot mix and match between the two lists. You'll want to review both before determining which list will best protect your property.

Doubling for Married Couples

If a couple is married and filing jointly in Oregon, each spouse may claim, or "double," the full amount of each exemption. Be aware, however, that doubling is not available for the homestead, household goods, or livestock exemption (more below).

Common Oregon Exemptions

Here are some of the most common exemptions available under Oregon law:

Alimony, Support, and Separate Maintenance

Alimony, support, and maintenance are exempt to the extent they are reasonably necessary for support. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.345.

Bank Deposits

Up to $7,500 of exempt funds deposited into a bank account. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.348.

Building Materials

Building materials are exempt except for debts due for the purchase of said building materials. Or. Rev. Stat. § 87.075.

Cemeteries and Burial Property

Burial and crematory lots are 100% exempt. Or. Rev. Stat. § 97.675.

Claims for Negligence or Tortious Conduct

Personal bodily injury claims are exempt up to $10,000, along with compensation for loss of future earnings reasonably necessary for support. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.345(1)(j).

Crime Victims’ Compensation

All crime victims’ compensation is 100% exempt. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.345, 147.325.

Fraternal Benefit Society Benefits

All fraternal benefit society benefits are 100% exempt. Or. Rev. Stat. § 748.207.

Health Savings Accounts and Medical Savings Accounts

Funds or distributions from a health savings or medical savings account are exempt. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.345(1)(o).

Homestead or Residential Property

A debtor may exempt up to $40,000 of the equity in a home or other property covered by the homestead exemption. A homestead outside a town or city cannot exceed 160 acres. A homestead within a town or city limits cannot exceed one block.

A debtor may also use the homestead exemption to protect proceeds from the sale of the homestead (for up to one year) as long as the debtor is holding the money with the intent to purchase another homestead, pay rent for up to one year, or use it for prepaid rent or security deposits for renters’ dwellings or property belonging to military personnel during wartime.

If two debtors are members of a household, the combined homestead exemptions may not exceed $50,000. Or. Rev. Stat. § § 18.385, 13.395, 18.402, 18.428.

For more details about how the homestead exemption works in Oregon, see The Oregon Homestead Exemption.

Insurance Benefits

Group life policy or proceeds not payable to insured; fraternal benefit society payments to $7,500; health or disability proceeds;life insurance proceeds or cash value if you are not the insured; annuity contract benefits to $500 per month. Or. Rev. Stat. § § 743.046, 743.0474, 743.049, 743.050.

Motor Vehicles

A debtor may exempt up to $3,000 in any motor vehicle. Or. Rev. Stat. § § 18.345(1)(d), 806.115.

To learn more, visit The Oregon Motor Vehicle Exemption.

Pension and Retirement Benefits

Tax-exempt retirement accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs. See Your Retirement Plan in Bankruptcy for details.

Permits and License Interests

Liquor licenses are 100% exempt. Or. Rev. Stat. § 471.292.

Personal Property

A debtor may exempt the following personal property:

• up to $3,000 in household goods (no doubling)
• up to $1,800 in wearing apparel, jewelry, and other items
• up to $1,000 in animals, poultry, and a 60-day supply of animal feed (no doubling)
• a 60-day supply of fuel and provisions for debtor’s family
• all health aids
• up to $600 in books, pictures, and musical instruments
• health savings accounts and medical savings accounts
• one rifle or shotgun and one pistol, the combined value of which cannot exceed $1,000, and
• up to $7,500 in a qualified tuition savings program.

Or. Rev. Stat. § § 18.345, 18.362, 348.863.

Prisoners’ Property

Injured prison inmates’ benefits are exempt. Or. Rev. Stat. § 655.530.

Public Assistance

Up to $7,500 of the following: general assistance, aid to the blind, aid to the disabled, injured inmate's benefits, medical assistance, old-age assistance, vocational rehabilitation. Or. Rev. Stat. § § 344.580, 411.760, 414.095.

Earned income tax credit. Or. Rev. Stat. § § 18.345(1)(n)

Tools of the Trade

A debtor may exempt up to $5,000 in tools of the trade. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.345(1)(c).

Unemployment Compensation

Up to $7,500. Or. Rev. Stat. § 657.855; 18.348.

Veterans’ Benefits

All veterans’ loan program funds are 100% exempt. Or. Rev. Stat. § 407.595.

Wages

Disposable earnings are 75% exempt, subject to certain exceptions. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.385. (To learn more, see Oregon Wage Garnishment Laws.)

Wages withheld in an Employees’ Bond Savings Account are 100% exempt. Or. Rev. Stat. § 2962.070. In re Robinson, 241 B.R. 447 (9th Cir. BAP 1999)

Wildcard

Up to $400 of any personal property not already covered by an existing exemption. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18/345(1)(p).

Workers' Compensation

Up to $7,500. Or. Rev. Stat. § 656.234; 18.348

Confirming the Status of Oregon’s Bankruptcy Exemptions

Oregon’s exemption amounts are adjusted periodically. To make sure you have the most recent figures, be sure to check for any updates at the official website of the Oregon State Legislature at www.leg.state.or.us/ors.

For additional information on how to research and find the latest exemption amounts, see our Legal Research Center.

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