Bankruptcy has serious long-term financial and legal consequences and hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended.
A lawyer can explain the consequences of filing for bankruptcy and what your options are. If you do file for bankruptcy, a lawyer can help protect you, your family, your home and your possessions. Although the law allows you to represent yourself in bankruptcy court, you should understand that many people find it extremely difficult to represent themselves successfully. The rules are very technical, and an error or inaction may affect your rights.
Low-cost or no-cost legal resources are available in various places in Oregon. For additional information on hiring an attorney, click here.
If you decide to proceed without a lawyer, visit the Filing Without an Attorney page for helpful information.
Bankruptcy court staff are not permitted to provide legal advice. Individuals filing for bankruptcy without an attorney are responsible for knowing and following all of the legal requirements.
What is eSR?
eSR is an online tool to help individuals complete a chapter 7 bankruptcy petition package. It guides you step-by-step through the process, creates most of the forms needed for filing, performs all calculations, and allows you to electronically file the petition package with the court.
Who can use eSR?
Individuals filing a chapter 7 case, including those filing jointly with their spouse, may use eSR. eSR is not available to attorneys or third-party bankruptcy petition preparers. eSR is not designed for business or corporate bankruptcy filings.
The person filing for bankruptcy also needs to have resided in Oregon, or had a residence, a principal place of business, or their principal assets in Oregon for 180 days before the filing of the bankruptcy case, or for a longer part of those 180 days than in any place outside of Oregon.
You must have the following computer resources to use eSR:
- Internet connection
- Adobe Reader (version 8 or higher)
- Pop-up blocker must be disabled
- Printer
- The latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome or Safari is recommended.
Why use eSR?
- There is no cost to use eSR.
- eSR has a guided, step-by-step process that allows you up to 45 days to complete and submit your petition package.
- Your personal information is accessible only to you using a unique login and password assigned to you.
- eSR is accessible 24 hours a day from any internet-enabled computer.
- There is no software to download or purchase.
How do I use eSR?
- Obtain credit counseling from a court-approved credit counseling agency. The law requires credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy.
- Collect all your financial documents before you begin.
- Create a user profile, unique login, and password.
- Answer questions about your property, income and debts.
- Complete and submit your Certificate of Credit Counseling.
- Comply with the requirements below regarding court filing fees.
An automatic stay (injunction) is not in effect until a bankruptcy case number is issued by the bankruptcy court.
Court filing fees
After you submit your petition package, you must submit an Application to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments or an Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived (via Public Document Upload if possible), or mail a check or money order for the full payment to the court.
If the court enters an installment order, you must pay the filing fee in three monthly payments starting 30 days after filing your bankruptcy petition. Installment payments may be paid online or via a check or money order mailed to the court.
Getting started with eSR
You may get started using eSR by clicking here.
eSR Help
For technical or procedural assistance with eSR, please contact the clerk's office at 503-326-1500 or 541-431-4000.
Printing your confirmation page
For instructions on printing your confirmation page, click here.