Oregon lawyer costs and court fees

By Javi Pérez, independent researcher (not a lawyer)Last reviewed · 6 sources cited below · How we research

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change and differ by court and county. Confirm current amounts with the court or a lawyer licensed in your state before you rely on them.

Short answer

Oregon has small claims cases up to $10,000, a 2-year personal injury filing deadline, a divorce filing fee of $301. Clio does not publish a Oregon rate; the national average is $349 an hour. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.

Oregon legal costs at a glance

Court fees, limits and fee rules in Oregon, checked October 11, 2026
Small claims limit$10,000[1]
Small claims filing fee$57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 (ORS 46.570). The defendant pays the same fee to demand a hearing.[1]
Circuit Court civil filing feeTiered (ORS 21.160(1)): $170 (≤$10k); $283 (>$10k to <$50k); $594 ($50k to <$1M); $884 ($1M to <$10M); $1,178 (≥$10M)[2]
Divorce filing fee$301[2]
Personal injury deadline2 years (ORS 12.110(1))[3]
Attorney fee capsWorkers' compensation attorney fees are regulated by statute and Workers' Compensation Board rules; for example, the ORS 656.262(11)(a) fee maximum was $6,357 for orders from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.[4]
Average lawyer rateNo Oregon figure published; national average $349/hour[5]

What lawyers charge in Oregon

Clio publishes state-level averages for only some states, and Oregon is not one of them. The national average billed rate in Clio's 2025 data is $349 per hour[5]. We do not publish an invented Oregon figure: ask two or three local lawyers for their hourly rate and compare it with the national number.

Illustrative budget at $349/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $349; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,745; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $6,980, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.

Small claims court in Oregon

Small claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Department of Circuit Court. You can ask for up to $10,000[1]. Claims of $750 or less must be filed in small claims (ORS 46.405).

  • Filing fee: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 (ORS 46.570). The defendant pays the same fee to demand a hearing.
  • Serving the other side: service costs are not listed in the official sources we checked; ask the clerk which service methods are allowed and what they cost.

See how Oregon compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.

Court filing fees

Circuit Court: Tiered (ORS 21.160(1)): $170 (≤$10k); $283 (>$10k to <$50k); $594 ($50k to <$1M); $884 ($1M to <$10M); $1,178 (≥$10M)[2]

Divorce: $301[2] ORS 21.155. The same fee applies to the responding party's first appearance.

If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.

Deadlines and attorney fee rules

Personal injury filing deadline: 2 years (ORS 12.110(1))[3]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.

Contingency and fee caps: Workers' compensation attorney fees are regulated by statute and Workers' Compensation Board rules; for example, the ORS 656.262(11)(a) fee maximum was $6,357 for orders from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.[4]

If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: we did not find a statewide fee-dispute program for Oregon; ask your local county bar association whether it runs one.

Free and low-cost legal help in Oregon

Frequently asked questions

What is the small claims limit in Oregon?

$10,000, in the Small Claims Department of Circuit Court. Claims of $750 or less must be filed in small claims (ORS 46.405).

How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Oregon?

$57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 (ORS 46.570). The defendant pays the same fee to demand a hearing. Service of the papers usually costs extra.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Oregon?

Generally 2 years (ORS 12.110(1)). Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.

How much is the divorce filing fee in Oregon?

$301. ORS 21.155. The same fee applies to the responding party's first appearance. You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them.

Sources

  1. ORS Chapter 46 (checked October 11, 2026)
  2. ORS Chapter 21 (checked October 11, 2026)
  3. ORS Chapter 12 (checked October 11, 2026)
  4. Oregon Workers' Compensation Board, Bulletin 1 (2025) (checked October 11, 2026)
  5. Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
  6. Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)