Hiring a Real Estate Lawyer in Oregon
What a home seller in Oregon must disclose, how foreclosure works, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Oregon: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Oregon Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 prohibits illegal or clearly excessive fees, listing whether a fee is fixed or contingent among the reasonableness factors. Rule 1.5(c) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of spousal or child support or a property settlement, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Oregon State Bar's Board of Governors voted to sunset its Fee Dispute Resolution Program effective September 25, 2026, so the program is no longer available. The bar points to its Client Security Fund for losses caused by dishonest conduct and notes that small claims court may be an option for fee disputes of $10,000 or less. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Oregon State Bar's Client Security Fund may reimburse money or property taken through dishonest conduct by an Oregon lawyer or licensed paralegal while providing legal services or acting as a fiduciary. It does not cover negligence or malpractice, business or investment dealings (including loans), interest, or losses paid by insurance or bonds. Generally the lawyer must have been convicted of a crime or be subject to a civil judgment (for losses of $5,000 or less, disbarment, suspension, reprimand or resignation also qualifies), and you must have tried unsuccessfully to recover; awards are discretionary. The maximum award is $100,000 for misconduct on or after January 1, 2022 ($50,000 for earlier conduct), and no more than the fees paid or money received. Claims must be filed within two years of the latest of the conviction, judgment, discipline or resignation, or when you knew or should have known of the loss, and never more than six years after the loss. Apply online or mail the signed application to Oregon State Bar, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281; a lawyer is not required. |
Oregon rules to know first
| What a home seller must disclose | Yes, unless an exclusion applies. A covered seller must deliver the statutory "Seller's Property Disclosure Statement" to each buyer who makes a written offer. Unless the buyer waived it in writing, the buyer has five business days after delivery to revoke the offer, and if the seller refuses to provide the form, the buyer may revoke the offer any time before closing. Source: ORS 105.464, 105.465, 105.475 |
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| How foreclosure works | Both. Oregon allows judicial foreclosure, where a complaint is filed in circuit court, and nonjudicial foreclosure of a trust deed "by advertisement and sale," which happens outside the court system. In a nonjudicial foreclosure the homeowner receives a Danger Notice, a Notice of Default and/or a Notice of Sale, and a homeowner who disputes the right to foreclose must file a lawsuit to challenge the sale. |
| Foreclosure timeline | The statute requires that the notice of sale be served or mailed, and served on occupants, at least 120 days before the trustee's sale, and that the last newspaper publication be more than 20 days before the sale. Oregon Housing and Community Services says nonjudicial foreclosure auctions typically occur between 120 and 180 days from the first notice date. |
| HOA foreclosure | Yes. A homeowners association has a lien on a lot for unpaid assessments (including interest, late charges, attorney fees and costs). The lien is ahead of the homestead exemption but behind tax liens and a first mortgage or trust deed of record. The association must record a notice of claim of lien before suing to foreclose, and the foreclosure follows the procedure for construction liens (a court proceeding). The lien may be continued for up to six years from the date the assessment is due. Source: ORS 94.709 |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Oregon State Bar's Legal Referral Service refers you to a lawyer near you (or near where help is needed) who may be able to help. Use the online referral request form or call 503-684-3763 (toll-free in Oregon 800-452-7636); staff work remotely and do not accept walk-ins. You must contact the lawyer within two business days to schedule an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a maximum fee of $50; additional fees are arranged directly with the lawyer. Participating attorneys charge for their services; the service does not offer free or pro bono attorneys. The bar's Modest Means Program offers reduced rates to eligible moderate-income Oregonians. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Oregon State Bar's Licensee Directory can be searched by last name, first name, bar number or city (including previous names). The bar describes it as a convenience for finding licensees' contact information, not a complete listing; the Client Assistance Office says it also includes disciplinary history. A Good Standing Certificate can be ordered from the bar. Help: (503) 620-0222 x0, (800) 452-8260 x0 or info@osbar.org. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Oregon State Bar's Client Assistance Office (CAO) reviews all complaints about lawyer and licensed paralegal conduct. Submit online with the ethics complaint form or mail a written complaint (no particular form required; send copies, not originals, on one side of each page) to Oregon State Bar, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281. The CAO sends a copy to the lawyer and gives you a copy of any written response; it dismisses complaints without enough basis or refers them to Disciplinary Counsel's Office for investigation, after which the State Professional Responsibility Board may dismiss, admonish or authorize formal charges. All documents the bar receives are considered public records. Disciplinary history is shown in the Licensee Directory, and records can be requested through the bar's public records portal. Phone: (503) 620-0222 or (800) 452-8260. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Oregon Judicial Department's Get Help page points people to Oregon Law Help for free legal information and help finding free or low-cost lawyers, and notes that many courts have family law facilitators who give free information and assistance to self-represented people in family law cases. LSC lists Legal Aid Services of Oregon as its Oregon grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Oregon · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.